Continuing our series, we break down the linebacker position for the Arizona Football team, just in time for the start of Spring Football.
Probably one of the biggest areas of concern for the Arizona Football team, this is a position we will learn a lot about in the coming weeks.
Returning just three scholarship players at the position, the Cats won’t be lacking talent even though the team may be a little thin and inexperienced. Arizona returns senior-to-be DeAndre Miller, redshirt freshmen Jacob Colacion, and Kahi Neves. Kahi or Jacob “Cola” Colacion have yet to play in Tucson, so we are looking forward to what they have to offer.
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Arizona signed a slew of talented linebackers in the offseason, with Tony Fields and Jose Ramirez being the early enrollees, that will take part in Spring Training. Also, redshirt freshman safety Gavin Robertson will be moving to weak-side linebacker to help bolster the position. Coach Boone and Robertson are very excited about the possibilities.
Additionally, the Wildcats will be adding Colin Schooler, Anthony Pandy, Josh Brown and Kylan Wilborn. Even though they won’t be in Tucson until the summer, they all want to compete.
Incoming talent appears to be on the horizon, but perhaps what’s lacking at this point is a lack of veteran, college experienced athletes.
Gone, are players like Paul Magloire, Michael Barton, Jake Matthews and Cody Ippolito. So the 2017 linebacker group will be very much a newer group, with Miller being the savvy veteran. That could be a benefit as new defensive schemes will not need to be swapped out, but the first learned with new players and a new coach.
Newly acquired defensive coach Scott Boone will have his pick of players to use, and if his coaching pedigree is any indication, he is the man to get more (have players play beyond potential) out of his linebackers, which is good news for Wildcats fans.
Fielding a solid defense has been a bit of a challenge for the Wildcats under head coach Rich Rodriguez. We hope 2017 we will take a step in the right direction for a more favorable outcome. Arizona has made some changes on the staff and scheme-wise, now it’s just a matter or keeping guys healthy, and having the players to do it.
Miller is every bit a Pac-12 caliber linebacker, the senior-to-be will certainly lead this group, and he has shown in the past to be a solid linebacker, but has battled some injuries and setbacks.
Also in that group is Neves. The redshirt freshman who didn’t play a down for the Cats last year has the hype and talent to be good. Indications last fall, were that Neves was an impressive player, but the staff ultimately wanted him to redshirt.
The challenge perhaps for second-year Defensive Coordinator Marcel Yates and Rodriguez is not only putting out a good product, but helping develop a young group that will be able to make an impact on the field rather quickly. Should there be a few injuries at linebacker, these newcomers will be depended upon.
Next: Arizona Football Position Breakdown: The Offensive Line
Here’s to hoping for a safe and healthy spring, one in which that helps the linebackers immensely. This Spring should certainly help break in the newcomers! Bear Down, Arizona!