Starter: Anu Solomon (redshirt freshman)

Backups: Jesse Scroggins III (redshirt senior), Connor Brewer (redshirt sophomore), Jerrard Randall (redshirt junior), Brandon Dawkins (true freshman), Zach Werlinger (true freshman)

Departures: B.J. Denker (graduation), Nick Isham (transfer), Javelle Allen (kicked off team), Khari McGee (switched to wide receiver), Adam Friederichsen (left team)

Returning stat leaders: No quarterback on the current roster has played in a game for Arizona.

On Monday, Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez named redshirt freshman Anu Solomon the starting QB for the Friday season opener against UNLV. Solomon redshirted last season and will see his first game action as a Wildcat against UNLV.

“I’m confident that Anu will play well, and he’ll be the start as long as he plays well enough to win,” Rodriguez said.

Solomon has been praised as a composed, in-the-pocket quarterback by coaches and teammates alike.

His ability to remain unfazed, no matter what or who has been thrown at him, has garnered praise from several of his teammates.

“He has a lot of capability; he can hurt you with his arm or his legs,” redshirt senior safety Jared Tevis said. “Most importantly, he’s pretty consistent … and the best attribute he carries is composure. I think that’ll be big come game time.”

In addition to seeing his first game action against UNLV, Solomon will be the first freshman to start at QB since Willie Tuitama in 2005.

Redshirt senior Jesse Scroggins III was one of the three players Solomon beat out for the starting job and figures to be the backup QB.

Scroggins, a junior college transfer who also played at USC, has a cannon arm and was one of the frontrunners for the starting gig. His ability to make a variety of throws greatly helped his case.

Add in his athleticism and he has the natural ability to be a starting quarterback for a Division 1 football program.

However, he lacks the accuracy to put his receivers in a favorable spot to safely catch his passes consistently. Despite his lack of accuracy, you could do a lot worse than Scroggins as the backup QB.

Redshirt junior Jerrard Randall and redshirt sophomore Connor Brewer both have starting quarterback traits (Randall’s dual-threat ability and Brewer’s accuracy), but they both failed to capitalize on their chances to start. Both received first-team reps throughout spring and fall camp.

There will have to be injuries or poor performances above them for either to see consistent game action this season.

Grade: C

Follow Roberto Payne @HouseofPayne555