Arizona training camp notes, practice 9: Tetairoa McMillan (leg) participates in team period, defense uses 'dollar' package

In what was by far the coolest (temperature-wise) morning practice of training camp, courtesy of monsoon, the Arizona Wildcats took their ninth practice of training camp inside the walls of the Davis Indoor Sports Center. Here are notes and observations from Arizona's practice on Sunday. 

* Arizona star receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who has been limited to start training camp due to rehabbing a left leg injury he suffered in April, elevated his participation in training camp on Sunday and appears close to fully returning to the Wildcats. McMillan donned the no-contact red jersey (also worn by quarterbacks) and participated in a 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 period. McMillan caught his first three targets from quarterback and longtime teammate Noah Fifita, but dropped a pass on a hook route.

McMillan has five drops in his Arizona career, according to Pro Football focus. One of McMillan's catches on Sunday was a seam route with star cornerback Tacario Davis in coverage. McMillan maneuvered around the field and cut through Arizona's defense without struggle. He also participated in a walk-through towards the end of practice. 

In earlier periods of Arizona's practice on Sunday, McMillan ran routes and caught passes thrown by strength and conditioning coach Cullen Carroll, who's been working with McMillan during every practice. McMillan's progress in training camp bodes well for his returning leading up to the season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 31. 

"It felt good having him back out there. Happy for him," said Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett, who's been teammates with McMillan since their Servite High School days in Anaheim, California. "Whenever you have a guy like him, he's an X-factor. Guys have to account for him. If you don't, it's going to be an issue. Having him is a benefit to our offense."

Added Arizona tight end Roberto Miranda: "We're just glad he's healthy and doing his thing again."

* Redshirt sophomore defensive end Sterling Lane II started in place of Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, who was sidelined. Lane started alongside defensive tackles Chubba Ma'ae, Isaiah Johnson and San Jose State transfer edge rusher Tre Smith. Lane recorded two sacks in a team period working against projected starting left tackle Rhino Tapa'atoutai. Lane has recorded several tackles for loss and sacks this training camp. The 6-3, 234-pound Lane was among the list of highly-touted players in Arizona's 2022 recruiting class, but had a minimal role in the defense over the last two years. Lane has emerged in the last week.

* For the first time in training camp, Arizona's broke out the "dollar" package, a seven-defensive back scheme that uses three linemen and one linebacker. Arizona's dollar package has become a staple for the Wildcats since former defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen used it halfway through the 2022 season.

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With linebacker Jacob Manu in the middle, Arizona had Utah transfer defensive end Chase Kennedy, second-year edge rusher Dominic Lolesio and Smith as the three D-Linemen, with Davis, free safety Gunner Maldonado, strong safety Dalton Johnson, "Star" Treydan Stukes, rising sophomore Genesis Smith, Colgate transfer Owen Goss and Louisville transfer cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew. That will likely be Arizona's go-to dollar package combination, if all players are healthy. Other dollar package candidates include redshirt freshman cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, redshirt sophomore cornerback Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine, redshirt freshman "Star" Gavin Hunter and Tennessee transfer Jack Luttrell, among others.

* Memphis transfer defensive tackle Jarra Anderson had a quarterback pressure. Redshirt freshman linebacker Leviticus Su'a had a TFL. Davis had an interception covering wide receiver Jackson Holman in one-on-ones. Manu sacked Fifita in the first team period. Former LSU and Tulane linebacker Jared Small, who's entering his eighth year, intercepted Northern Arizona transfer quarterback Adam Damante. When everyone is available, the Wildcats have six game-ready linebackers. 

* The Wildcats worked on chip-shot field goals, with Tyler Loop and Cash Peterman taking the reps. Freshman Michael Salgado-Medina took the first reps at punter and was also the holder on field goals.   

* Arizona added former Nevada offensive lineman Joey Capra on Sunday. The 6-4, 301-pound Capra attended the Wildcats' practice on Sunday and observed drills in a T-shirt and shorts. Capra, an Auburn, California, native, played three seasons (2019-21) at San Diego State before playing the last two seasons at Nevada. Capra started 13 games in two seasons at guard for the Wolfpack. The Wildcats need depth on the offensive line, especially after losing potential starting right guard Leif Magnuson, who hasn't practiced in over a week due to an undisclosed injury.

* Oregon transfer left tackle Michael Wooten suffered a leg injury at the end of a practice earlier in the week and has been sidelined. Redshirt freshman Rhino Tapa'atoutai is in line to start at left tackle, and walk-on Zarius Wells, a 6-6, 313-pound Chandler native, took second-team reps on Sunday. True freshman and Glendale native Matthew Lado has played both tackle spots. 

* In the first team period, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Chris Hunter, who stood out in the spring but has been quiet in training camp, made an impressive over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone for a touchdown despite tough coverage by Davis. Fifita was the quarterback. After dropping routine catches on Friday, AJ Jones bounced back on Sunday and made an impressive over-the-shoulder grab down the sideline for a chunk play. 

* Former Washington and Boise State head coach Chris Petersen was in attendance for Sunday's practice. Petersen has been spotted on the Arizona campus multiple times since the hiring of Brennan. 

* Scouts from the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks were in attendance on Sunday. There have been NFL scouts at essentially every practice this training camp.