Five key takeaways from the first week of Arizona football training camp

Arizona concluded its fifth practice of fall training camp on Monday, with the season opener against New Mexico just under four weeks away.

As the Wildcats hit the reset button with an off-day on Tuesday, here are five pertinent takeaways from the first five practices of training camp:

1. Rhino takes first-team reps at LT

Replacing a multi-year starter at left tackle, especially a first-round NFL Draft pick like Jordan Morgan, isn’t the easiest transition. Sophomore Raymond Pulido, after starting at right guard as a true freshman, filled the void in Arizona’s win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl and spring practices, but is not available this season for undisclosed reasons.

Redshirt freshman Rhino Tapa’toutai, a West Valley City, Utah native who finished his high school career at Bishop Alemany in Southern California, has stepped into the starting role at left tackle, while Oregon transfer Michael Wooten has only taken second-team reps. With potential starting guards Wendell Moe and Leif Magnuson not participating in team periods recently due to injuries, transfers Alexander Doost (Northwestern), Shancco Matautia (New Mexico) and Ryan Stewart (San Jose State) have stepped in as starters. Tapa’atoutai, Baker and Savaiinaea have been bonafide starters on the UA offensive line.

“It’s awesome for some of these young guys and new guys to get some reps in spots they probably thought they wouldn’t get at the beginning of camp,” said Arizona center Josh Baker. “It’s good to get them in and get them experienced, talking to each other and communicating with each other, especially with the defense we’re playing against.”

During Morgan’s five-year career at the UA, the All-Pac-12 tackle logged a combined 2,204 snaps. Tapa’toutai? A whopping zero snaps. Not an ideal scenario for protecting star quarterback Noah Fifita, but the leaders of Arizona’s offensive line, have encouraged Tapa’toutai to “just got out there and ball.”

“Don’t make the moment too big for yourself,” said right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea. “Just go out there and have fun. Take all of that preparation from over the years and just put it into the moment.”

Savaiinaea said Tapa’toutai has displayed quick hands, nimble feet and is “improving and showing good results” during training camp.

Tapa’toutai brings “energy and attitude” to Arizona’s offensive line, said Baker.

“I love that kid’s attitude and his toughness,” Baker said. “No matter what, he could be dying, but he’s right there with us. I love that about him. When he’s out there and it’s hot as heck, he looks like he’s about to throw up and he’s back in. It doesn’t matter how hot he’s feeling or how down he is, he’s with us and he’s fighting.”

Added Arizona offensive coordinator Dino Babers: “Rhino has been out there working. He’s been doing a good job for us. I think as he continues to go out there, the more reps he gets, he’s going to get better and better and better.”

Whether it’s Tapa’toutai, Wooten or someone else, “they know that we trust them,” Fifita said.

“Confidence goes a long way,” the Arizona quarterback said. “We always talk about the culture, the family, and we expect it to shine through once again.”

As of now, Tapa’toutai is the leader in the clubhouse to protect Fifita’s blindside.

2. D-Line ‘changed our mentality up front’

Arizona’s starting defensive line in training camp has been junior defensive end Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, UC Davis transfer nose tackle Chubba Ma’ae, redshirt sophomore Isaiah Johnson and San Jose State transfer edge rusher Tre Smith.

Transfers in defensive tackle Stanley Ta’ufo’ou (USC), defensive end Lance Keneley (Stanford), defensive tackle Jarra Anderson (Memphis) and edge rusher Chase Kennedy (Utah) have worked with the second- and third-team units. College of San Mateo transfer defensive end Cyrus Durham has also been in the defensive line mix. Other second- and third-team contributors include redshirt freshmen Dominic Lolesio and Julian Savaiinaea (brother of Jonah), former junior-college transfer Keanu Mailoto and redshirt sophomore Sterling Lane II, who was a highly-touted edge rusher in Arizona’s 2022 recruiting class. Lane has produced multiple tackles for loss and is one of Arizona’s top edge rushers in pass coverage.

Arizona’s defensive line “changed our mentality up front.” Instead of gap-filling and patient responsibilities the defensive line had under former defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, the Wildcats are pedal to the metal.

“A year ago, there were a couple of different ways or philosophies, let’s just say, on how to play with people,” said Akina. “I’m wired where this program has been built ... to get vertical. I never asked Rob Waldrop to sit on the line of scrimmage. I never asked (Tedy) Brushi to sit on the line of scrimmage. We want to get vertical and get across the line of scrimmage. ... We want to play the run on the way to the quarterback. It’s a little bit different, but I like where we’re at.”

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The Wildcats “still have gap integrity, we’re just not going to play from the line of scrimmage,” Akina added.

3. MGK and OG ascend in secondary

Akina considers sophomore Genesis Smith a starter. Akina said the 6-2, 203-pound Smith, who recorded his first interception in the Alamo Bowl, “has a lot of upside.”

It’s conceivable Smith could become a reserve defensive back and “dollar” package contributor in his second season instead of starting. Unfortunately for Smith, who came to Arizona as a safety, Gunner Maldonado and Dalton Johnson return in tandem, while “Star” defensive back Treydan Stukes is back in a nickel back role. Smith is uber-talented; he just has — what former Arizona defensive coordinator Don Brown would call — “dudes” in front of him.

“If you were to ask me, ‘Who’s your starting secondary?’ I could say Genesis Smith is one of our starting defensive backs,” Akina said. “Is he trotting out first? No. There’s only so many guys. ... I don’t want to be tied to a depth chart.”

Smith has also taken reps at “Star,” while Stukes, who Akina called the “best-kept secret in college football,” played cornerback. Louisville transfer and Atlanta native Marquis Groves-Killebrew is a “great cover guy” and has started at cornerback opposite of Tacario Davis, with Stukes at “Star.”

“He’s talented, he’s long, he can run, he wants to be a great player, all of the things you look for,” Akina said of Groves-Killebrew. “Now it’s my job to get him to his potential, keep working with his positives and help him break some old habits.”

Colgate transfer Owen Goss, who Stukes calls “OG,” has earned snaps at “Star” and safety. Goss likely won’t start, but he’ll be a mainstay on special teams and the “dollar” package with Groves-Killebrew, Smith and the returning starters.

4. Rising receivers, tight ends

Arizona’s offense isn’t complete without star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who continues to recover from a leg injury he suffered in the spring. Fifita said McMillan is “in a really good spot and we look forward to getting him back.”

McMillan’s absence has allowed others to step up in training camp and potentially land a spot in a rotation that will be more open, unlike former head coach Jedd Fisch’s pro-style three-player rotation. Arizona’s top performers at wide receiver include redshirt freshman Malachi Riley, junior-college transfer and shifty slot receiver Jeremiah Patterson, returning starter Montana Lemonious-Craig, Old Dominion transfer Reymello Murphy, redshirt freshman Devin Hyatt, redshirt sophomore AJ Jones and walk-on Rex Haynes.

Additionally, Arizona’s tight ends have been impressive. Junior Keyan Burnett is one of Arizona’s top catchers in traffic and has been effective in the red zone, while Roberto Miranda will have an elevated role in the passing game after being used as a run-blocking tight end. San Jose State transfer Sam Olson can also catch in traffic and block.

Second-year tight end Dorian Thomas runs routes akin to a larger receiver, and Phoenix native Tyler Powell has flashed moments of brilliance. Between the several receivers stepping up and the logjam at tight end, the Wildcats could have an entertaining playbook; plus, running back Rayshon Luke has displayed his speed as a screen-catching receiver.

5. ‘A lot of evaluation going on’ with linebackers

Arizona sophomore Taye Brown was anointed starting “Mike” linebacker alongside Jacob Manu, but “there’s a lot of evaluation going on,” Akina said.

Sophomore Kamuela Ka’aihue had a breakout practice on Friday and recorded an interception, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. The Wildcats also have veterans in Justin Flowe and Tulane transfer Jared Small, who is entering his eighth year of eligibility, and second-year linebacker Leviticus Su’a.

“Our starting linebacker is Manu right now, then let’s see where we go. ... It’s very competitive at this moment,” Akina said. “(Brown) trots out there first, but there’s still other moving pieces and it’s still wide-open.”