Though not invited to the postseason in the “”going bowling”” sense of the word, the Arizona football program has still been busy in other postseason activities.
The Wildcats are minus a junior running back, his position coach, another position coach and two recruits, but Arizona found itself a new offensive coordinator, five new recruits and, most recently, a 21-year-old walk-on freshman quarterback who will take part in spring drills.
Since school let out Dec. 6:
Junior running back Chris Henry announced in mid-December that he was declaring for April’s NFL Draft. Experts project Henry will be a second-day pick.
Cornerback Antoine Cason and defensive end Louis Holmes, both juniors, filled out paperwork with the NFL requesting evaluation of where they might be chosen in the draft. Juniors and sophomores three years removed from high school have until Jan. 15 to officially declare for the draft. Those who choose to do so have until Jan. 19 to withdraw that intention.
Quarterback Willie Tuitama was cleared to play in 2007 after a visit to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s prestigious concussion program. Tuitama, a sophomore, was slowed by head injuries this season.
Arizona hired former Texas Tech co-offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes as a new offensive coordinator, replacing the departed Mike Canales. Dykes is expected to bring a form of the Red Raiders’ spread offense to the desert.
Two position coaches, Charlie Williams and Kasey Dunn, accepted positions at other schools. Williams, who coached receivers, moved on to North Carolina and Dunn, the former running backs’ coach, took a job at Baylor.
The Wildcats lost two verbally committed recruits. Defensive end Will Tukuafu will instead head to Oregon and defensive back Mario Goins is now set to join Wisconsin.
Arizona rebounded with four other recruits: defensive end Lavar Brown, cornerback Marquis Hundley and cousins Vuna and Apaiata Tuihalamaka, both linebackers. Earlier this week, the Wildcats added a fifth, defensive end Ron Jackson.
Senior safety Michael Johnson was selected to play in Jan. 20’s East-West Shrine game, a who’s who of postseason senior all-star games. Of the 103 players who played in last year’s game, 95 eventually wound up on NFL rosters either via the draft or free agency.
Former Arcadia (Phoenix) High School quarterback Jimmy Bevell announced his intention to walk on to head coach Mike Stoops’ squad. Bevell, 21, spent the past two years on a mission in Argentina before enrolling at Arizona this semester. Said Bevell, who is expected to take part in spring drills: “”I wanted to go to a place where I felt comfortable, and the coaches want me there, and I want to be there, and I can earn the respect of my teammates.””
