Arizona offensive line 'going to be a really strong group for' Wildcats

Every coach this time of year is cautiously optimistic about their roster. But there’s only so much evaluation a coach can do during training camp.

Nearly a month into Arizona’s fall camp, with about a week until the Wildcats’ season-opening contest against New Mexico, “these players have done a good job in showing up every day to do the work, because it does get monotonous blocking the same guys every single play or running routes against the same people every single play,” said UA head coach Brent Brennan.

The first test for the Wildcats will take place next Saturday at Arizona Stadium, especially on the offensive line. Arizona will play its first game AM (After Morgan), with redshirt freshman Rhino Tapa’toutai, who Brennan said is “coming along nicely,” succeeding former UA star left tackle Jordan Morgan — the first UA offensive lineman to land in the first round since John Fina in 1992 when Morgan was selected by the Green bay Packers.

The Wildcats will also most likely have a new starting right guard. Former starting guard Raymond Pulido, who moved to left tackle in the Alamo Bowl after playing a majority of the season at right guard, is not with the team this season for undisclosed reasons. Redshirt junior Leif Magnuson of Canada, who started five games at right guard last season, hasn’t participated in training camp for several practices due to injury. Center Josh Baker and left guard Wendell Moe have spent some parts of training camp in limited fashion, but have worked their way back into the starting lineup.

Although “guys are beat up” and Arizona is still searching for the camaraderie on its offensive line, the moving pieces have opened the window for others to earn their keep. Northwestern transfer Alexander Doost, who added nearly 40 pounds to his 6-7 frame and now weighs 332 pounds, has risen in training camp at left guard, while New Mexico transfer Shancco Matautia has played both guard spots and backup center. The Wildcats recently added fifth-year Nevada transfer Joey Capra, a 6-4, 301-pounder, who has taken reps at right guard.

“A lot of people have gotten reps, and there has been some upside,” said Arizona offensive coordinator Dino Babers. “For me, I haven’t gotten an opportunity to see them all intact working together. I’m not sleeping really good, but there’s a whole bunch of guys on our staff sleeping great.”

Former San Jose State offensive lineman Ryan Stewart could potentially start at right guard for the Wildcats alongside star right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, after the 6-4, 297-pound Stewart spent his first two seasons at SJSU under Brennan and offensive line coach Josh Oglesby. Stewart started three games at right guard as a freshman for the Spartans before a season-ending injury “that sat him down, unfortunately,” in 2022.

Stewart, “a hard-working kid” from Mokena, Illinois, was a part of the contingent of transfers Brennan and his staff transplanted from San Jose State, along with running back Quali Conley, former All-Mountain West defensive end Tre Smith, tight end Sam Olson and quarterback Anthony Garcia. Stewart has ascended to starter status, but it’s a position subject to change.

“We knew there was a lot of potential there and that’s been something that we’re encouraged about so far, and that’s going to be something we continue to watch,” Brennan said of Stewart. “When you go into the first game, the starting lineup is who they are, but it’s still up for negotiation. You either play well or you don’t. If you don’t play well, we’re going to play somebody else. But he’s done a really good job so far.”

Whether it’s Stewart, Matautia, Magnuson or Capra at right guard, “I expect there to be some continuity and it should be good for us,” Babers said.

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“I’d imagine with all of them being healthy and ready to go, we’re going to be in a better situation than most teams at this level,” said Arizona’s offensive coordinator.

“Being healthy” is a lot easier said than done, especially since Arizona has inexperienced backup tackles behind Savaiinaea and Tapa’atoutai with true freshman Matthew Lado, walk-on Zarius Wells and Oregon transfer Michael Wooten, among others.

With “great leadership up there with” anchors in Savaiinaea, a potential first-round pick, and Baker, a three-year starter, “that’s going to be a really strong group for us,” said Brennan.

“We’re excited where that’s at, but we gotta play,” Brennan said. “It’s easy to say, ‘Oh it looked great in practice,’ or whatever. I think we’re in a great spot. The competition with our defense has been physical and violent, and I think that’s a good thing in terms of getting ready to play.”

Brennan’s perspective on injury reports in college football

According to multiple reports, the SEC is trending towards having league-wide injury reports every week this season, joining the Big Ten. In the NFL, weekly injury reports are released on Wednesdays.

Disclosing injuries to the public “wouldn’t bother (Brennan), as long as that’s not all you guys want to talk about,” said Arizona’s head coach.

“The biggest reason why I don’t like talking about injuries is because the world focuses on the injury and you’re trying to get ready for a game and focus on the good parts of what’s happening with your football team. There’s a natural tendency of fans, media and everybody else is focus on this one kid who is injured and, in this situation, there’s nothing you can do about it. If that’s what they decide, I’m all-in. The fact that we don’t have to right now eliminates another negative talking point for me.”

Extra points:

• Brennan, on the idea of joint practices between two teams at the college level: “I hope not. The reason I say that is the beauty of the NFL, if a player gets hurt one of those dual practices, ‘You’re out, OK, we just picked him up off the (waiver) wire.’ You can’t do that in college football. ... The NFL is arguably the best sports league in the world, but the amount of change would be significant.”
• The NFL will wrap up the preseason schedule this week. Former UA wide receiver Jacob Cowing made his San Francisco 49ers debut in their 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints last week. Cowing led the Niners in receiving with four catches for 51 yards on five targets. San Francisco faces the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday at 7 p.m. on NFL Network.
• Former UA running back DJ Williams, who scored the final touchdown in the Alamo Bowl, recorded 12 carries for 36 yards in his first two games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie. The Bucs face the Dolphins on Friday at 4:30 p.m.