Arizona Football: Preseason thoughts from IMG Sports Network Analyst Lamont Lovett
We caught up with IMG Sports Network Color Analyst Lamont Lovett to get an inside exclusive look at the 2017/18 football team. You are going to love this!
It’s almost time for Arizona Football, and media day is under way today. IMG Sports Network Color Analyst and Brian Jeffrie other half has been doing his homework getting ready for the season. Since Lamont has been at all the practices, taking insights and sound, analyzing the freshman, and watching his son Isaiah Lovett get his reps in, we thought it would be great to find out from this Arizona Football Alum what he is seeing.
ZZ: Lamont, how do you prepare for your job as IMG Sports Arizona color commentary?
LL: I prepare for my job as a color announcer in a lot of ways. For one I am a football junky, so I record a lot of games and study game film year around. It helps me sleep at night. If I’m restless I will turn on a game and break it down until I’m tired.
Arizona Wildcats Football
The second piece to the puzzle is reading a lot of football publications, Phil Steele’s Preview is the football bible for stats. Then there’s the watching practice, to get a feel for the team and inside info etc. Then, of course, there are the technical things like charting both teams depth charts with notes and snippets of info.
To me, it’s not work because I love it.
ZZ: You are now not just an Arizona Football Alumni, you are an Arizona Wildcat dad, and specifically an Arizona Football players dad. You and Rich Rod now have something more in common. Does this change your perspective at all about the program?
LL: Great question!
Obvious I’m tickled to death to have my son play WR for Arizona. Whether he plays this year or red shirts, he’s got a lot of talent, determination, and a bit of a chip on his shoulder. I believe he will do some big things in the future if he stays humble and works his but off.
The day that I see him in a game will be a lot of emotions for me. As a father, you just want the best for your son, and I believe he is in good hands. This should be a heck of a ride. My perspective doesn’t change about the program. Still, I’m a die-hard Wildcat for life, just a little more added incentive. (Said Lamont smiling)
ZZ: What would you tell the fans about this team this year? Will they be surprised? What do you see that’s different this season?
LL: I would tell the fans that they will be surprises. There will be so many new faces that people assume that means they will struggle, but the product that I have seen so far gives me hope. They are way more athletic. The QB’s have taken a step forward and the defense will be much improved.
ZZ: You are able to attend practice, not as media, but as an analyst, who is impressing you at this point in training camp?
LL: On defense Scottie Young, is really good. Fast and smart. The Linebackers [all freshmen] have been good: Schooler [Colin], Pandy [Anthony/Ant], Jalen Harris. Harris is undersized, but he still finds ways to get to the QB. He’s such a good pass rusher they may not be able to keep him off the field.
Jalen Harris and Kylan Wilborn, the two freshmen DE’s have looked like the best pass-rushers on the team at times. They are still developing, so I don’t think they are every down players yet, but I think you will see them in pass rush situations because they have made an impact in an area of need.
Kylan Wilborn is going to play. He’s a good pass rusher. Derek Boles (RS junior) is what you would call an anchor, and He plugs holes well. The defense is sooo much faster than last season.
Shawn Poindexter [senior] is going to surprise a lot of people. He’s much improved from last season. He presents match-up issues with his combination of size and speed. He can really run. Brian Casteel is the model of consistency. He’s strong and can block, catch, and runs good routes. Solid player. RB’s have looked great all camp.
Tight End’s have looked good as well. Trevor Wood will have an impact this season if fall camp has been an indication. He has made play after play in camp.
Contributors Note: YAY TIGHT ENDS!
Lamont is both hard edge as well as our kinda guy! Catch the voices of Arizona Football in this video from last season.
Must Read: More on Arizona Football from ZZ's..
There you have it, Lovett’s scouting report! You cannot miss listening to Brian and Lamont this season. Turn down the TV, turn up the volume on your phone, on the TuneIn App, IMG Sports Network Arizona. Go Cats!
