Arizona spent its first official day as a Big 12 team practicing football in 100-degree heat under the sun at Arizona Stadium instead of the Dick Tomey Practice Fields. A "Block A" and Big 12 logo was shown on the video board, and the Wildcats concluded their third practice of fall training camp with shoulder pads and helmets.
Here are notes and observations* from Arizona Stadium on Friday: (*taken from the air-conditioned press box of Arizona Stadium)
* Arizona star cornerback Tacario Davis, after standing on the sidelines in full uniform the first two days, returned to practice on Friday and started in the secondary alongside safeties Gunner Maldonado and Dalton Johnson, sophomore Genesis Smith at "Star" and senior Treydan Stukes at cornerback, where he started his Arizona career before transitioning into a highly productive nickel back. Arizona defensive coordinator Duane Akina's philosophy is to have a positionless defensive secondary. Davis, Stukes, Maldonado, Johnson and Smith have proven to be Arizona's top defensive backs, but Louisville transfer Marquis Groves-Killebrew has been a consistent starter. Stukes recorded an interception, albeit would've been flagged for passing interference; there weren't officials at practice. Groves-Killebrew started a series with Stukes back at "Star."ย
* Sophomore linebacker Taye Brown was anointed starting "Mike" linebacker alongside Jacob Manu and has been solid to start training camp, but sophomore Kamuela Ka'aihue had a strong practice on Friday and recorded a fumble recovery, a tackle for loss and intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback Noah Fifita. If Ka'aihue continues to rise and if redshirt junior Justin Flowe, who had a forced fumble on Friday, can reach his potential, Arizona has a strong two-deep rotation at linebacker, with second-year linebacker Leviticus Su'a and others in the wing.
* Arizona's starting defensive line was defensive end Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, defensive tackle Chubba Ma'ae, defensive tackle Isaiah Johnson and San Jose State transfer edge rusher Tre Smith.ย
* Arizona rolled out a starting offense with Fifita, New Mexico transfer running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, wide receivers AJ Jones, Montana Lemonious-Craig and Malachi Riley, tight end Keyan Burnett, left tackle Rhino Tapa'atoutai, New Mexico transfer left guard Shancco Matautia, center Josh Baker, Northwestern transfer right guard Alexander Doost and right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea. Right guard Leif Magnuson was sidelined on Friday. Starting left guard Wendell Moe has been sidelined to start training camp.
* Arizona's defense is clearly ahead of the offense to start training camp. Between the offensive line seeking the best five-man combination, shuffling around wide receivers, star receiver Tetairoa McMillan recovering from a leg injury and adjusting to the bolstered running backs room, along with marrying new and old offensive concepts, there are growing pains, which is expected. Fifita and receivers misconnected multiple times and the offensive line struggled in pass protection.
* There is a bright spot for the offense: junior-college wide receiver Jeremiah Patterson is making a strong impression as a slot receiver. The 5-10, 175-pound Patterson has quick feet, but is a technician as a route-runner. Patterson is among the noticeable wide receivers to gain separation from defensive backs. He beat Smith in one-on-one drills on Friday. Patterson started at slot receiver on Thursday.ย
* Tucson native and former Canyon del Oro High School star Kayden Luke was installed as a fullback. The 5-11, 239-pound Luke recently led the Dorados to an undefeated record and a Class 4A state championship.ย
* Scouts from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings were in attendance.ย ย
