The big news from Arizona’s Friday night scrimmage was not who scored or how many yards were gained, but by the line-ups and potential glimpses of the depth chart. The fact that there was no tackling in the scrimmage accentuated this.
With a little over a week left until Arizona kicks off against Toledo, the depth chart, and specifically the starting line-up, is really starting to take shape.
The big news from Friday night’s scrimmage was that Marquis Flowers has been moved to linebacker and “started” the scrimmage there next to Jake Fischer and Hank Hobson.
We’ve gotten faster moving Marquis there,” Rich Rodrguez said.
According to WSR’s Blake Phillips who attended the scrimmage, the rest of the defensive starters are Reggie Gilbert, Dominique Austin and Tevin Hood on the defensive line and Shaquille Richardson, Jonathan McKnight, Tra’Mayne Bondurant, Jourdon Grandon and Jared Tevis in the defensive backfield.
The move by Flowers to linebacker solves one position battle. Flowers and Bondurant were battling for the team’s Spur safety, essentially a hybrid safety/linebacker spot.
TucsonCitizen.com’s Anthony Gimino added that Taimi Tutogi and Kirifi Taula replaced Austin and Hood on passing downs, while Derrick Rainey was used at times in place of a linebacker in certain situations.
On offense the Wildcats started the same line that started much of last season: LT Mickey Baucus, LG Chris Putton, C Kyle Quinn, RG Trace Biskin and RT Fabbians Ebbele. Ebbele is still in a battle with redshirt Lene Maiava for the right tackle spot.
The receiver rotation seems to be Dan Buckner, Terrence Miller, Richard Morrison, Austin Hill, Tyler Slavin and David Richards. Johnny Jackson and Sean Wilet are also in the hunt for reps.
- Brad Allis
- Arizona Insider - WildcatSportsReport