Arizona’s defense had the sharper day in Saturday’s practice, and the biggest talking point came from a family name everyone around camp knows well.
On a broken play with the offense pinned near its own goal line, Noah Fifita threw the ball straight to freshman linebacker Dash Fifita, who came away with an interception. The defensive group made sure Dash heard about it after the play, and for one day at least, he had the bragging rights in the Fifita household.
The Wildcats also got into their first real one-on-one work of camp, and that period gave the staff a chance to coach the details hard and fast. Johno Price nearly picked off a pass on one rep, but he didn’t get his arms extended the way he needed to, and the result was a catch instead of a turnover. Safeties coach Brett Arce immediately pointed out that the arm placement turned what should have been an interception into a play that would have gone for about 15 yards.
Isaiah Mizell had a rougher afternoon than he has seen all camp, though there were still flashes mixed in. He beat Tyrese Boss on one one-on-one route, but he also dropped several passes and showed his frustration by slapping his helmet while trying to fire himself up.
After practice, wide receiver coach Bobby Wade praised Mizell for handling it the right way and not pointing fingers anywhere else. Even with the bumps on Saturday, Mizell has still put together a strong camp and appears to be firmly in the rotation.
In Other News...
Arizona Gets A Late Veteran Boost With One Big Fall Question
Arizonas fall camp picked up a veteran wrinkle this week with the addition of Max Harris and Ismail Mahdi to the football roster, a boost that comes after both players were cleared for an extra year of eligibility. Brent Brennan confirmed their return and said the Wildcats are working them into the mix as camp moves along, giving the staff a little more experience to lean on as the roster takes shape heading into the season.
There is still a layer of uncertainty hanging over the situation, though, because the larger eligibility picture has not been settled. Brennan has also pointed to the way Arizonas young defensive linemen have handled themselves in camp, which gives the program some depth to watch even as the veteran side of the roster gets sorted out. For now, the Wildcats have more bodies in the building and a few more options to consider, but the final answer on how this all translates onto the field is still not entirely clear. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Just Added Two Veterans Back Into A Crucial Roster Battle
Arizona football got a timely jolt in the middle of camp with the return of linebacker Max Harris and running back Ismail Mahdi to the roster, a move made possible by a recent NCAA eligibility ruling that grants certain players a fifth year of competition. Arizona is moving ahead as if both veterans will be available this season, giving the Wildcats two experienced pieces at positions where depth and consistency can matter a lot once the games start to count.
The NCAA is expected to appeal the ruling, so the situation still carries some uncertainty, but Arizona is treating the additions as real for now and letting them enter the competition for roles. Coaches have already signaled their support, pointing to both players character and the way they could raise the level of competition across the roster, which is exactly the kind of extra push a team wants when fall decisions start to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]