Arizona Football: Paul Magloire, a Bright Spot in the Wildcats Defense

Paul Magloire is a JUCO transfer playing his first year at outside linebacker this season for Arizona’s football team, and what a season he is having.

It’s that time Wildcats fans, time to look at a bright spot in Arizona’s defense. Why is it time? Because the team is seriously practicing this week, they haven’t given up, so fans shouldn’t either. Focusing on the positives makes fans feel better, and why should fans wallow in negativity when they can continue to support their team?

As Wildcats fans look for an oasis in the desert for their football program, Arizona’s defense has at least one bright spot to celebrate. Originally recruited as a JUCO safety, Paul Magloire has been stellar in the last three games in his new position, outside linebacker. His game-by-game progression has not been overlooked by some, but others are still reeling from the heartbreaking loss last weekend to Washington State and what it meant to the season.

Photo by Paul Magloire

Last year, Zona Zealots published Gabe Encinas’s article about Paul Magloire titled, ‘JUCO safety Paul Magloire commits to Arizona, ready to turn heads.’ Encinas’s prediction came true, Magloire is turning heads. Check out the ink he proudly wears on the inside of his forearm and you will get an idea of the degree of his dedication to the Arizona Wildcats.

Related Story –> Magloire’s Inspirational Wildcat Ink

Let’s get down to the brass tacks. Initially recruited to play safety, Magloire has agreed to play outside linebacker. Defensive coach Casteel needed to convert outside linebackers to middle linebackers for obvious reasons. This team player has made a total 35 tackles (26 solo) and now ranks fifth in tackles behind No. 1 Will Parks (47), No. 2 Jamar Allah (44), No. 3 Devonte’ Neal (39), and No. 4 Jake Matthews (36).

Magloire made 27 tackles, 20 of them solo tackles, in the last three games alone. Just this last weekend against Wazzu, Magloire locked in eleven of those tackles that are the most tackles he’s made in a game so far this season.

Coach Rich Rod explained why Magloire may have had the opportunity to rack up those tackles in the Wildcats last game, “He got a lot of tackles last week because he had too. I don’t think anybody defensively played really well.” So basically if the rest of the defense did their job, Paul might not have had to make so many tackles.

Arizona Wildcats

That said, if Magloire hadn’t made those tackles the score might have been lopsided. The Wildcats lost by only three points to the Cougars, 45-42.

Rodriguez explained how he feels about his athletic player, “I’ve been really proud. We moved him from safety to outside linebacker just because of our situation at linebacker, with all the injuries. He’s a great young man. He’s still learning the position. He’s been battling and competing, and he’s embraced his new role playing linebacker.”

The summer before the 2015 season, Paul worked hard at putting on muscle and was able to put on 20 pounds. This is one reason Arizona is having some issues on defense. Case in point, Jack Banda, Banda has not had enough time to build up his body and instead of red-shirting, was needed on the field earlier than expected.

"Arizona was forced to start redshirt sophomore Jack Banda at defensive end Saturday…about 30 pounds under the weight of typical Pac-12 linemen, Banda was starting his first career game, against one of the most clever offensive coaches in football history, Mike Leach. Why? Because there is no one else.– Greg Hanson, Tucson.com"

If the trend continues, Magloire is on pace to surpass his teammates if the rest of the defense doesn’t do their job. Let’s hope the Wildcats defense as a whole looks more like they did in the fourth quarter in the Washington State game than they did in the first three.

Arizona’s defense has to stop the Huskies from marching down the field like the Cougars were able to do and if they can’t, Paul Magloire will be there to stop them. He wouldn’t want us to expect any less from him, he’s just that kind of guy. 

Beardown Paul!

Next: Arizona Football Journal: 5 Positives After the Wazzu Loss