Arizona football: Wildcats embracing competition at center

When Jim Michalczik arrived at Arizona in 2013, he tried — with a straight face — to say every spot on the offensive line was open.

The UA’s offensive line coach wanted competition.

But it was, frankly, hard to take him seriously.

The starting lineup pretty much wrote itself: Mickey Baucus and Fabbians Ebbele at tackle, Chris Putton and Cayman Bundage at guard and junior college product Steven Gurrola the likely starter at center.

And despite Michalczik’s effort to try to sell the competition angle, that lineup ended up being the starting group for most of the year.

This year has been different. There’s competition. In fact, it started in the spring.

“This is actually how I prefer it,” Michalczik said after a training camp practice this week. “I like having options. I like having bodies.

“I like having guys pushed.”

It’s no secret the Wildcats have to replace Baucus, Ebbele and Gurrola in the starting lineup this year. Freddie Tagaloa will likely take over for Baucus at left tackle, winning the job in the spring. Lene Maiava should start opposite Tagaloa on the right side, also earning the spot in the spring.

But who fills Gurrola’s spot is still a question for the Wildcats.

Michalczik said he had 10 or 11 players take snaps during the first two days of camp and has no idea who the starter will be when the season opens.

This time, you believe him.

Carter Wood seems like the early favorite, with Zach Hemmila and David Catalano also having a legitimate chance at winning the job. Michalczik also said Bundage, who has started 25 games at left guard the past two seasons, has snapped the ball some, making that a possible option.

“It’s wide-open at center,” coach Rich Rodriguez said. “Zach has a chance, and Carter has a little bit of experience. We have David there and a couple of other new guys as well.”

Here’s a closer look at the three leading candidates right now — Wood, Hemmila and Catalano — with training camp three days old:

Carter Wood

Height/weight: 6 feet 2 inches, 274 pounds

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Year: Redshirt senior

Experience: Wood has played in 10 games over the past two seasons. He earned his first career start in the Fiesta Bowl when Gurrola was serving a one-half suspension.

What to know: Wood, a former walk-on who began his career at Colorado Mesa, is now on scholarship. Michalczik said this week Wood didn’t need to get much stronger after last season, he just needed to better learn how to use his strength in one-on-one battles. Wood has been with the first-team offense the first few days of camp and seems to have the early edge.

Quotable: “I think it was very important. Anytime you can play, it’s great experience. So to get that definitely helped me a lot. It helped me get ready for what could be for this year, and to know what to expect out on the field.” — Wood on playing the first half of the Fiesta Bowl

Zach Hemmila

Height/weight: 6-3, 293

Year: Redshirt junior

Experience: Hemmila spent his redshirt freshman season on the scout team. He appeared in all 14 games a year ago, mostly on special teams. Hemmila got some offensive reps at Oregon last year when Bundage went down with an injury.

What to know: Both Rodriguez and Michalczik said Hemmila is in better shape than he’s ever been in at Arizona. He made a strong impression during spring practice, and has a better shot now than he did in March. He has to work harder than Wood at learning some of the intricacies of playing center because he has less experience there. Hemmila said snapping and learning how to block effectively after getting rid of the ball are the two toughest parts of the position.

Quotable: “I feel like I’m in a lot better shape out there. I’ve lost a ton of weight since I first got here, but I feel a lot stronger. … The snapping has been good. I haven’t had any wild pitches that the quarterback hasn’t been able to catch.” — Hemmila

David Catalano

Height/weight: 6-2, 286

Year: Redshirt senior

Experience: Catalano, a Canyon del Oro High School product, played the past four years of his college career at San Jose State. He played in nine games with the Spartans in 2012, but on the defensive line. Catalano moved to offensive line for his last two seasons with San Jose State, but didn’t see any game action.

What to know: Catalano graduated from SJSU in the winter and enrolled at the UA in January. The UA always planned on trying Catalano at center because of his strength and size. He had some trouble snapping in the spring, but Michalczik said it has been better so far in camp.

Quotable: “David has worked and worked and worked at it. Snapping is one of those things that people outside of the game think should be so easy. And it is. But put a 320-pound nose guard over you, and it’s not so easy.” — Michalczik