Robert Golden breaks up a pass intended for ASU receiver Gerell Robinson in the November game. Photo by Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Former Arizona Wildcat defensive back Robert Golden will get a chance next week to start showing NFL scouts where he might end up in the secondary.
Golden is one of five ex-Cats who have committed to play in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game, which will be played Jan. 16 at Kino Stadium.
The others are defensive ends C.J. Parish and Mohammed Usman and linebackers Paul Vassallo and Derek Earls.
Golden figures to be the best pro prospect of the bunch, ranked 244th overall by NFLDraftScout.com, which would put Golden near the end of the seventh round. His position flexibility — he started at cornerback and safety for Arizona — could be a plus.
“I feel I can be anywhere between a corner and a nickel back,” Golden said. “As a safety, I like to get physical in the box and I feel I can cover just as well as any corner out there.”
Golden, playing safety as a senior, was third on the team in tackles with 69, including two for loss. He had one interception, followed by a spectacular 91-yard touchdown return at Washington.
Golden made 60 tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up 12 others as a junior, when he started at cornerback. He started all 13 games at safety in 2009, with 41 tackles and two interceptions.
Golden spent some time home in Fresno, Calif., working out with Pac-12 safeties T.J. McDonald (USC) and Tevin McDonald (UCLA) before starting training at Fischer Sports in Phoenix. For more than seven hours a day, he’s been working on technique, studying film and working on strength and conditioning.
“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “But I know I have to grind.”
Practices, which are open to the public, begin Wednesday as players begin to audition for the scouts.
“I’m going to prove I’m one of the hungriest players out there,” Golden said. “They won’t expect anything less than that from me.”
NOTES
Four former Arizona State Sun Devils have committed to play in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game — safety Eddie Elder, long-snapper Cameron Kastl, linebacker Colin Parker and receiver Aaron Pflugrad. … The game, which begins at 6 p.m. on Jan. 16, will be televised by Fox Sports Arizona and some of its affiliates. … Former Arizona head coach Dick Tomey will be an assistant coach for the “Stripes” team, which will be led by former Fresno State coach Pat Hill. Hill worked for Tomey at UA in 1990 and 1991, serving as offensive coordinator in that second season. … For tickets, call 520-434-1367 or visit the http://casinodelsolallstargame.com/.