Arizona offensive lineman Vaughn Dotsy has to give up football because of back problems.
Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Arizona Wildcats coach Mike Stoops said he didn’t expect any transfers or departures from the football team when classes begin Thursday, but he told TucsonCitizen.com that two players have been forced to give up their playing careers.
They are offensive guard Vaughn Dotsy and defensive end Apai Tuihalamaka.
Dotsy was slated to be a starter as a junior in 2010, but he was plagued by persistent back problems after offseason surgery. He started two games early in the season — against Iowa and Cal — before being held out. He would have been a valuable member of next season’s offensive line, which has to replace all five starters.
Likewise, Tuihalamaka could have added some needed experience at end, where the Wildcats lose Brooks Reed, Ricky Elmore and D’Aundre Reed. Tuihalamaka, who was a junior last season, had to give up football because of concussion problems.
Stoops said after Tuesday’s news conference that starting redshirt freshman defensive tackle Justin Washington, who was selected to some Freshman All-American teams, will miss spring ball because of surgery for a cartilage tear in a shoulder.
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