New Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez tossed an unintended insult at the previous coaching staff at Pac-12 Media Day when he said the best thing they did was redshirt quarterback Matt Scott last season. Rodriguez later said he meant it as a thank you because he wouldn’t have to worry about the most important position on the field.
That goes doubly so when you consider how many other areas are up in the air with Wildcats camp underway. Here’s a look at three Arizona position battles Pac-12 fans will want to monitor as camp progresses.
1. Linebacker: Rob Hankins vs. Hank Hobson vs. C.J. Dozier vs. Dakota Conwell
Hankins and Hobson both got their feet wet last year as freshmen and figure to lock down the starting positions, but there is room for competition here. While veteran Jake Fischer will man one spot, the Wildcats are woefully thin at this position, opening the door for Dozier, Conwell or others to impress.
2. Defensive end: Dan Pettinato vs. Reggie Gilbert vs. Jowyn Ward vs. Justin Washington vs. Kirifi Taula vs. Kyle Kelley vs. Dwight Melvin vs. TBD. Arizona recorded just 10 sacks last season and its 0.83 sacks per game were tied for the second-worst mark in the nation. The initial depth chart listed Pettinato, Gilbert and Ward at one end, with Washington and Taula at the other. But the Wildcats also have Kelley, a Parade All-American, and Melvin entering the program. Clearly, nobody has wowed coach Rich Rodriguez, who was experimenting with true freshman tight end Keoni Bush-Loo and senior fullback Taimi Tutogi at end before Monday’s practice.
3. Offensive tackle: Fabbians Ebbele vs. Chris Putton vs. Eric Bender-Ramsay & Mickey Baucus vs. Jacob Arzouman
Putton and Arzouman were listed at the top of the depth chart for spring ball, but Ebbele is trying to catch up after being suspended since the start of spring and Baucus is doing the same after missing spring because of back surgery.
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