University of Arizona football begins fall practice

Arizona wide receiver Jeremiah Patterson (2) runs his route during a fall preseason practice on July 31 at the Dick Tomey Practice Fields on the UA campus.

Arizona wrapped up its fifth practice of fall training camp on Monday. Here are notes and observations as the Wildcats enter an off-day on Tuesday. 


* The first 11-on-11 team period of every practice has been in the red zone. The Wildcats were 10th in red-zone scoring percentage (92.98%) last season, per CFBStats.com; they were 30th in touchdown percentage (66.67%). 

* Arizona sophomore receiver Malachi Riley has emerged as a potential breakout player in the UA offense. Riley is quick, runs clean routes and is physical against defensive backs in jump-ball scenarios. Junior-college transfer receiver Jeremiah Patterson, donning Jacob Cowing's old jersey number (2), is among the fastest players on the team and will likely start at punt returner this season. In a one-on-one drill, Patterson faked one direction and defensive back Devin Dunn collapsed to the ground after Patterson's break, giving Patterson a wide-open touchdown. Redshirt freshman Devin Hyatt, brother of New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, has been mixed with Arizona's starting receivers over the last few days. Old Dominion transfer Reymello Murphy is also among the list of receivers that should be in Arizona's rotation this season. 

* Colgate transfer defensive back Owen Goss, who Treydan Stukes refers to as "OG," started at "Star," with Stukes at cornerback. Sophomore Genesis Smith was sidelined for undisclosed reasons, but stood next to assistant coach and former safeties coach Chuck Cecil, who was also assisting with the UA receivers in drills. Goss appears to be on the list of players the Wildcats will use for "dollar" package. He'll also be a special teams contributor. Look for Goss to have a similar role as former UA defensive back Martell Irby. 

* Walk-on receiver Rex Haynes, who stood out in the spring, made a spectacular catch on the ground while smothered by star cornerback Tacario Davis. Haynes caught a 64-yard bomb from quarterback Noah Fifita for a touchdown. Even though the offense has struggled collectively to begin training camp, Fifita has shown top-tier arm strength and his accuracy is improving as camp progresses.  

* Left guard Wendell Moe remains limited to individual drills and hasn't appeared in team periods. With center Josh Baker also out during team periods on Monday, the Wildcats' starting offensive line was left tackle Rhino Tapa'atoutai, Northwestern transfer Alexander Doost at left guard, center Grayson Stovall, San Jose State transfer Ryan Stewart at right guard and right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea. New Mexico transfer Shancco Matautia has rotated at guard and took reps at center on Monday, albeit had several low snaps; Stewart had similar issues to begin training camp before Stovall returned. The offensive line helped carve lanes for Arizona's running backs on run plays, but often struggled to protect Fifita and other quarterbacks.

* Defensive standouts during team periods include linebacker Jacob Manu (sack), linebacker Justin Flowe (sack), defensive tackle Isaiah Johnson (sack), linebacker Leviticus Su'a (sack) and safety Dalton Johnson (tackle for loss). 

* Walk-on Cole Tannenbaum threw a deep touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore receiver AJ Jones towards the end of practice.

* Practice ended following a collision between Oregon transfer tackle Michael Wooten and Tulane transfer linebacker Jared Small. Wooten, who was injured after the play, has taken reps with Arizona's second-team offense at left tackle. 


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Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports