Richard Morrison heads for the end zone on his 63-yard punt return vs. Washington last season. Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona senior Richard Morrison, seemingly stalled in his football career, decided he needed to move backward in order to push forward.

Morrison, who has been a quarterback, receiver and punt returner in his four years in Tucson, went to coach Rich Rodriguez this semester and put in for a transfer to a new position. Hey, coach, let me try defense.

Morrison, who has been working on his backpedal for several weeks, worked out with the cornerbacks Saturday morning as the Wildcats opened spring practice.

He’s happy to be spending his time going backward on the football field.

“Basically, since I got here when I was a quarterback, I had always wanted to play cornerback if I didn’t play quarterback,” Morrison said. “I got switched to wide receiver and I was good at it, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do.

“I went and talked to Coach Rod and he was a little iffy about it at first and then he was like, ‘OK, I’ll let you try it out.’ So he gave me the opportunity and I’m trying to make the best of it.”

Morrison’s timing is good because Shaquille Richardson and Jonathan McKnight, who combined to start 20 games last season, are limited this spring while they recover from shoulder injuries.

“It’s a big blessing because if they were here, I probably wouldn’t get these reps,” Morrison said.

“I probably would be third (team) or like on the scout team. Right now, I get more reps and the opportunity is great for me. … I feel like I can play any position and I was like, this is my chance, my last opportunity.”

Morrison practiced as a quarterback through spring of last season but he went back to receiver after the coaches became comfortable in the fall with B.J. Denker as the backup. Morrison made 23 catches for 171 yards as a slot receiver in the first six games, but he fell out of favor because of some dropped passes. He ended up as a reserve quarterback when starter Matt Scott had a concussion problem late in the season.

Morrison didn’t have a catch in the final seven games and he lost his punt return job in the final four games.

Arizona’s best and deepest position is probably receiver, but the Cats need someone to push Richardson, McKnight and Derrick Rainey at cornerback.

Richard Morrison caught 64 passes for 560 yards in the past three seasons. Photo by Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

“I think he knows we need some competition there,” Rodriguez said.

“We’re down a few corners this spring so he’s going to get a lot of reps. He’s athletic enough to help us. I don’t know if I have moved anybody this late in his career for that, but if you’re athletic enough you can do it.

“Our scheme is simple enough that it’s not going to burden him from that standpoint. I like Richard; he’s a good football player. He can play offensively; he can always go back to the other side.”

Morrison arrived as a dual-threat quarterback from Royse City (Texas) High School but switched to receiver after redshirting in 2009. He has 64 career receptions, including four for touchdowns, and is hoping to cash in that experience in order to shorten the learning curve at cornerback.

He played some safety in high school.

“I know how to read the hips and I know the intentions of the quarterback and the wide receiver,” he said. “Basically, I’ve been doing it my whole life. It’s easy to read. It’s a little different on defense, but I feel I have a better advantage than other corners do.”

Morrison said he’s hoping to get another crack on punt returns — a 63-yarder for a score was his 2012 highlight — and he’s able and willing to help elsewhere on special teams. He worked as a kick blocker off the edge in early periods of Saturday’s practice.

This experiment might be a long shot, but at least Morrison fits the description of RichRod’s kind of guy — hungry.

“He really wants to play and he wants to prove himself,” Rodriguez said, “so I thought this was a good move.”

* * *

Another possibility at cornerback: junior Jourdon Grandon, who started nine games at free safety last season. He’ll practice with the cornerbacks for now, although he could always move back to safety.

“There is a lot more fundamental work you have to do at corner rather than free, so Jourdon doing that this spring is going to give us a little more depth there,” Rodriguez said. “And he’s fast enough to do that.”

Richard Morrison heads for the end zone on his 63-yard punt return. Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Arizona Wildcats junior Richard Morrison has been passed over at slot receiver in the past two games by a walk-on redshirt freshman and a little-used sophomore.

He still found a way to contribute on special teams.

Morrison went 63 yards on a punt return Saturday night for a second-half touchdown against Washington, a score that earned him Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

“First of all, I want to thank the punt return team for blocking for me,” Morrison said after the game.

“It was crazy. Once I caught the ball, I heard my teammates screaming that you have an open path. I looked, and it just parted like the Red Sea and I took off. Once I knew I had gotten past the punter, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m actually going to score.’”

It wasn’t over yet.

Morrison said his legs started “giving out on me” and he was struggling to make strides while Arizona’s Mark Watley, ahead of the play, was waving Morrison on toward the goal line. Morrison knew a Washington defender — Taz Stevenson — was closing.

“I’m thankful for Mark Watley for saving me at the end,” Morrison said.

“When I was running, my leg wouldn’t pick up, and it was hurting. I looked back, and that dude probably would have tackled me at the 5-yard line. Mark jumped in front of me and blocked him.”

The touchdown gave Arizona a 45-17 lead with 9:35 to play in the third quarter. Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez called it a “backbreaker” for Washington. UA was happy to run the ball and play defense after that, winning 52-17.

For Morrison, it was a highlight in what has been a tough season. He has bobbled a couple of punts and dropped several passes, which has led to a diminished role on offense.

Two games ago, redshirt freshman Johnny Jackson played ahead of Morrison and caught 10 passes at Stanford. With Jackson out because of an ankle injury, sophomore Garic Wharton got the majority of playing time in the slot, catching a 33-yard touchdown (while running the wrong route).

“It’s not bitter, because I do what I can for the team,” Morrison said.

“I feel that when Garic Wharton came in and Johnny Jackson came in, I took them under my wing. It makes me happy because I actually taught them a lot of stuff. So, it doesn’t make me mad they’re actually playing now.

“I’m like a big brother to them.”

Rodriguez doesn’t mind the competition. On a thin team, there’s not a lot of that to go around in practice.

“I think all of our guys understand that we have open competition for every position every day, not just on game day,” he said.

“I think players like the fact that they have to perform every day, they have to compete every day. We have Richard Morrison, who we have a lot of confidence in. We’ve got Johnny Jackson, who earned a job before he got hurt, and now you have Garic Wharton.

“Now we have three guys that are all competing for that starting slot receiver position. That just makes us a better team, plus it gives us as coaches more confidence that we can play all three guys and not limit what we do offensively.”

Morrison was bothered by a hamstring injury in camp, and it should be noted that Rodriguez says the junior has not been completely healthy. Morrison still ranks third on the team in receptions with 23 for 171 yards.

“I have a lot of confidence in him,” Rodriguez said. “He’s been banged up and probably hasn’t said a lot about it,” Rodriguez said.

Now, Morrison has a feel-good moment and a Pac-12 weekly award for Arizona’s first punt return touchdown since Bug Wright went 86 yards against Washington State on Nov. 7, 2009.

“I did what I could to help the team,” Morrison said.

* * *

You can see the punt return starting at about the 37-second mark of the highlights from the Pac-12 Networks:

Richard Morrison caught 41 passes in the past two seasons for Arizona. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

The Richard Morrison experiment is over. Or at least on an indefinite hold.

The high school quarterback-turned college wide receiver-turned spring practice quarterback is back at wide receiver.

“It’s wide receiver all the way,” Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez said after Friday night’s practice.

Well, mostly.

“We might try to give him a few reps at quarterback here and there because he’s explosive,” Rodriguez said.

Morrison, a redshirt junior, got an audition at quarterback in the spring with the new coaching staff and the new read-option offense that fits his athletic skills. The Wildcats didn’t have another quarterback on scholarship after senior Matt Scott.

Now, they do.

Junior college transfer B.J. Denker and freshmen Javelle Allen and Josh Kern are likely to emerge as backups, with Denker already showing a strong arm through two practices.

“So far, B.J. is progressing pretty well,” Rodriguez said.

Morrison could become an option at quarterback again if the progress of the other quarterbacks stalls … or if Scott went down with a long-term injury. Although an injury to his pectoral muscle limited what Morrison could in the spring, the coaches by now have a decent idea of what he can do, and it’s more beneficial to try to get those newcomers up to speed.

“I see myself as Mr. Versatile. I do whatever I can whenever I can,” Morrison said.

“If I had to go back to quarterback, I would, but right now my plan is to be a wide receiver. I’m happy with it. Coach is going to put me in the right spot.”

Morrison (5-11, 183) should be a valuable part of the offense as a slot receiver and as a potential returner on punts and kickoffs.

Morrison caught 22 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns last season in the most prolific passing offense in school history. The Cats will run the ball more this year, but Morrison moves way up on the experience chart after Arizona lost five of its top six pass-catchers.

A hamstring strain has kept him out of the first two practices, but he could return within a couple of days, hoping to pick up where he left off in the spring game when he caught five passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was a motivation boost to see what I could do at wide receiver,” Morrison said. “I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to in the other offense, so this is my opportunity to show what I can really do.”

Richard Morrison celebrates one of his two touchdown receptions in last year's spring game. Photo by David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic

Arizona fans could see No. 8 back at quarterback this season.

Wildcats junior wide receiver Richard Morrison has undergone a number change, as well as a potential switch of positions, spending the first spring practice of the Rich Rodriguez era on Monday entirely at quarterback.

“It was a little weird, but I was comfortable,” Morrison said.

“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought. Well, at the beginning I was really nervous. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I haven’t done this in a long time.’ But it’s pretty good right now. I like it.”

He has ditched his old No. 14 number in favor of No. 8, last worn by quarterback Nick Foles.

“I told Nick Foles I was going to take after him,” Morrison said with a smile.

He’s not going to be taking after Foles too much. For sure, the new No. 8 isn’t going to look the old No. 8.

Foles is about six inches taller and 60 pounds heavier than Morrison. Foles rode shotgun in Arizona’s old spread offense to rewrite most of the school’s major passing records.

Morrison (5-11, 183) is dusting off his quarterbacking skills — remember, he was recruited by Arizona at that position out of Royce City (Texas) High School — in order to possibly provide depth behind senior Matt Scott in Rodriguez’s read-option offense that focuses on the quarterback run game.

“I’m fast and I can throw, so it’s going to be pretty good,” Morrison said. “This is not like Nick Foles drop back and throw. It’s going to be different.”

Morrison redshirted as a quarterback in 2009 before being switched to inside receiver, where he began to emerge late in the 2010 season. He caught 22 passes for 201 yards and two scores last season.

Richard Morrison caught 41 passes in the past two seasons. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

When backup quarterbacks Tom Savage and Daxx Garman transferred after the fall semester, leaving Scott as the only scholarship quarterback, Rodriguez needed help at the position. He brought in sophomore walk-ons Tyler D’Amore and Alex Cappellini, and he approached Morrison about getting under center.

“I was excited,” Morrison said.

“I was like, ‘I can play quarterback and wide receiver?’ He said, ‘Well, we want to try you at quarterback and see how it works.’”

That’s where the Cats are right now. Seeing how Morrison works at quarterback. He can always move back to receiver without much trouble.

He has spent the past couple of months diving into the quarterback playbook, hitting the field to throw to receivers and working on his own to get the hang of the footwork. His film study has included previous Rodriguez quarterbacks, with an emphasis on Michigan’s Denard Robinson.

“He’s going to be good,” senior receiver Terrence Miller said of Morrison.

“Rich is a very good athlete. He was actually my roommate last year, and we came out here and did plenty of workouts together. …

“He’s been a quarterback all his life, and I know he loves it. I think in his mind and in his heart, he’s always been a QB. He has a big-time arm, too. Him and Matt. Both have big-time arms.”

Big-time arm?

“I can throw it about 65 or 70 yards on a good day,” Morrison said. “I just have to get back to throwing every day and get my muscles back right.”

Spring practice No. 2 awaits.

WR Richard Morrison, celebrating a touchdown in the spring game, is a prime candidate at punt returner. Photo by David Kadlubowski, The Arizona Republic

One of the people we caught up with for a few minutes after Arizona’s first fall practice was assistant Jeff Hammerschmidt, who coaches special teams and defensive ends.

We’ll save some of the talk about the defensive ends for another time as Arizona shifts through replacements at those positions for three players who are now in NFL camps.

As for special teams, Hammerschmidt is working with a new punter (Kyle Dugandzic, who was here in the spring), new returners (look for speedy Garic Wharton on kickoffs) and possibly a new placekicker. Junior college transfer Jaimie Salazar is here to compete with incumbent Alex Zendejas.

Here is some of our conversation with Hammerschmidt following the first practice, which began at 6:15 a.m. at the Rincon Vista Complex:

Q: What can you learn from the first day?
Hammer: “Everyone was ready to go. From the start of practice, I think the tempo was good. I think the guys were enthused about the special teams part of it. The kickers and everybody were got here at 5:15, got loosened up and were ready to go.”

Q: Who are looking at as punt returner?
Hammer: “There’s a good group. Richard Morrison. Jonathan McKnight. David Douglas has done it the last couple of years and has done a solid job of it. And if we really want to get dynamic, it’s Juron (Criner). Trevin Wade has good ball skills. We have a lot of good candidates, but right now we’re going to focus on Richard Morrison, Jonathan McKnight and David Douglas.”

Reaction: Morrison, a converted quarterback, came on strong at the end of last season as a slot receiver, and he has shifty open-field skills. McKnight is one of UA’s good-looking young athletes in the secondary, and he has the genes for the job (his brother Joe returned punts for USC). Douglas is the team’s “safe” option because of his good hands. As for Criner, he has proven to be tough to bring down after the catch, and returning punts could only help his NFL value.

Q: Has Juron caught a lot of punts in practice?
Hammer: “He did it in the spring and he’s trying to get a few every day. That’s what I told the guys. If they really want to do it, they have to get out there and do it on their own. They have to come out early and catch before (practice). When we’re punting, they have to run over there and catch a couple. We’re kind of putting it in their court. If it looks like they are working hard enough at it, then I’ll give them a shot to do it.”

Related: Arizona football camp Day 1: Criner hasn’t missed a step

Q: What will be the process as you try to differentiate between your placekickers?
Hammer: “We’re working on a rotation right now with Alex and Jaimie and, actually (returning kickoff man) John Bonano. He did a really good job in the spring, so we’ll let him take some whacks at it also. We’re going to do a lot of competitive stuff to start practice, then we’ll break off and do a lot of charting. We’re setting up drills for simulator-type stuff to challenge them. … We’re trying to put a little pressure on them with the two-minute drills at the end of practice. The first time, it is going to Alex, the next time it is going to be Jaimie and we’ll go from there. If Bonano has a chance to slide in there, I’ll do that, too. … We’ll be better at kicking this year no matter who it is because of the competition.”

David Roberts (left) and Juron Criner celebrate after Criner's touchdown catch against Arizona State last season. Photo by Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic

Here is the fifth part of our Arizona Wildcats football preview in collaboration with our Gannett partner, The Arizona Republic.

We write the words, and they have taken the cool photographs and put it all together in a slick presentation at azcentral.com.

Check back here and at azcentral.com every Friday as we roll out more of our preview every week, all the way into August.

This week: Wide receivers (I talked to receivers coach Dave Nichol this week, so there are some fresh quotes in this preview):

INTRO

Big and tall. Short and quick. Proven and promising. And deep. Very deep.

Arizona’s receiving corps, led by potential All-American Juron Criner and with an intriguing combination of route-runners and run-away threats, pretty much has it all.

This is the Wildcats’ best position group and one of the best in the nation, as the receiving corps is ranked No. 5 by Lindy’s and Phil Steele’s preseason magazines. The team will look to Texas transfer Dan Buckner to add another element of danger.

But receivers coach Dave Nichol says he wants to “tap the brakes” on any of the hype.

“Whenever we turn on the film from last year, for however talented people think we are, we realize we have a lot of stuff to work on,” he said.

Juron Criner

Criner has a chance to be the best Arizona receiver ever; certainly, the Wildcats haven’t had this combination of size, skill and passing offense at the same time. Coach Mike Stoops says Criner should be a “100-catch guy” this season.

Criner, 6-foot-4, was a unanimous All-Pac-10 selection as a junior, when he caught 82 passes for 1,233 yards and 11 touchdowns while playing through an assortment of injuries.

“Juron’s greatest attribute is he’s a very complete player,” Stoops said. “He has the ability to break short throws into big plays, to break tackles. He has great strength. He has separation speed. He has great timing, so he can up after jump balls.

“He is going to have every opportunity to make a play.”

Dan Buckner

The Texas transfer gives Arizona a 6-foot-4 bookend to Juron Criner, potentially setting up a pick-your-poison scenario for secondaries who can’t double-cover both wideouts.

Buckner caught 44 passes for 445 yards and four touchdowns in 2009 as the Longhorns advanced to the BCS title game against Alabama. He was especially effective early in the season when Texas was using more of a short passing game, the kind that Arizona figures to lean on this year.

Stoops has said that Buckner has first-round talent, but the goal in the offseason was to improve his timing with quarterback Nick Foles.

“We want to be the best receiving corps in the nation,” Buckner said in the spring. “We have a lot of good guys returning. Hopefully, I can add on.”

Coaches know they will get a consistent effort from David Douglas. Photo by David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic

David Douglas

Douglas was the team’s second-leading receiver last season with 52 catches for 515 yards and five touchdowns. He can play outside in UA’s four-wide spread offense but is set to return to an inside position this season with the addition of Dan Buckner.

Douglas gets tagged as a “possession” receiver, although he’s more athletic than most think. But having good hands is part of his skill set; coaches use him at punt returner when all they want is for someone to catch the ball.

“It’s just a consistency thing with him — how he shows up ready to work in the weight room, on the practice field and in games,” said Nichol. “He’s a great example for the rest of our group.”

David Roberts

Roberts has been a reliable option for the past two seasons, mixing in some big games (12 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown against Washington in 2009) and big plays (stretching for a 38-yard reception on the game-winning drive against Iowa last season).

Roberts, who caught 43 passes in 2009 and 44 last season, is much like the receiving corps’ other David — David Douglas. They are consistent and lead through the example of their work ethic.

“Even when he’s a backup, he is going to find a way on Saturdays to do the right thing,” Nichol said. “It’s simple: He tries really hard. He has a personal pride and a team pride.”

Richard Morrison stretches to catch a pass in spring practice. Photo by Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic

Richard Morrison

It wasn’t considered much of a big deal offensively when senior-to-be Bug Wright was dismissed from the team in the offseason; that’s because Morrison is ready for a bigger role.

Morrison, a converted quarterback, becomes the team’s shorter, shiftier threat at slot receiver — kind of like Mike Thomas was a few years ago. Morrison’s development was slowed in 2010 by a midseason shoulder injury, but he finished with six catches for 66 yards in the Alamo Bowl (and had a 44-yard TD reception nullified by penalty).

In the spring game, Morrison made four catches for 63 yards and two scores.

“I think I’ve matured a lot more and I’m starting to read the defenses better,” Morrison said. “I’m really comfortable at the position.”

Terrence Miller

Tight end Rob Gronkowski sat out the 2009 season because of a back injury and then turned pro, so Arizona was without a middle-of-the-field threat for much of the past two years — until Miller emerged late last season.

Miller, at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, will serve as Arizona’s big target from a slot position. He started to put it all together late last season, when 25 of his 29 receptions came in the final five games.

“He is definitely a different body type,” said Nichol, “and many plays in our system really fit him.”

Miller’s best game last season came against USC when he made seven catches for 116 yards.

Austin Hill breaks free from cornerback Trevin Wade in a spring scrimmage. Photo by David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic

Austin Hill

Hill might have been the most ready of Arizona’s three true freshman receivers last season, but coaches were able to preserve his redshirt season. Hill flashed the ability to make difficult catches in camp last season.

At 6-3, 205 pounds, Hill is a little bigger than fellow redshirt freshman Tyler Slavin — a high school teammate at Roosevelt High in Corona, Calif. — and both have good speed from an outside receiver position.

“Boy, if they raced, I don’t know,” Nichol said.

Like Slavin, Hill’s playing time this season likely will come only in spot duty, barring injuries to other receivers. But both figure nicely into the team’s long-range plans.

Tyler Slavin

Slavin made the two-deep for parts of last season after an impressive fall camp — and he was on the travel squad — but he never played as a true freshman.

“He’s really smooth,” said Nichol. “His pad level and the way he sinks his hips coming out of cuts … he does that naturally. But he probably had a few more drops than I like in the spring.”

The thing with Slavin and fellow redshirt freshman Austin Hill is consistency, Nichol said, and soaking up the leadership from the veteran receivers.

“Guys like Austin and Tyler, I need to feel good about, ‘Hey, man, you can go and do it,’” Nichol said. “We’re getting there.”

Garic Wharton

Wharton might be the fastest player on the team, and he’ll at least show that speed on kick returns, where he will replace the departed Travis Cobb. On offense, Arizona hopes Wharton will be a breakaway threat in the slot.

“We have to get his hands on the ball five to eight times a game,” Stoops said.

That could mean by Arizona’s usual variety of short passes, or on end arounds or other sorts of handoffs. Wharton recorded a 100-meter time of 10.39 seconds in high school.

“The thing with him is having great ball security,” Nichol said.

Gino Crump

Crump, based on his 2010 performances in spring and fall camps, seemed to be on the verge of being a rotation player, although that didn’t materialize last season. He had four catches for 39 yards in the first two games, but no catches after that.

Crump will be battling in fall camp for a backup role at outside receiver.

“We have a lot of competition,” Nichol said. “He is right in the mix. He has done everything we have asked of him. He played some important plays for us last year.”

Crump walked on in August 2009 after redshirting at West Virginia in 2008.

Flipping over on your head without catching the ball: Bad.
Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

Football life is good for Arizona Wildcats receivers coach Dave Nichol.

He has an All-American in senior Juron Criner.

He has more trustworthy seniors in David Douglas and Dave Roberts.

He has a touted junior transfer from Texas — Dan Buckner.

He has promising inside receivers of differing sizes — junior Terrence Miller (big) and sophomore Richard Morrison (small).

He has three redshirt freshmen he can deploy this season — Austin Hill, Tyler Slavin and super speedy Garic Wharton.

He has, to sum up, one of the best receiving corps in the country.

“We need to tap the brakes on that,” Nichol said.

For as good as this position group might be, for all the preseason praise it might be hearing, Nichol is taking a glass-half-empty approach to the spring. He took some of the receiving corps’ worst moments from last season and cut up a video entitled, simply, “Bad.”

Poor blocks. Dropped passes. Misalignments. Wrong assignments. Substandard routes.

“It was too darn long, I’ll tell you that,” Nichol said of the length of the video. “Every now and again, when they get all ‘whatever,’ I’ll just remind them of that tape.”

Said Douglas: “Yeah, there are quite a bit of plays on there. We had way too many mistakes last year. It makes you see, man, we have a lot of stuff we have to get better at if we want to be as good as they’re talking about us as a group.”

Call it some preventative medicine. It’s not that Nichol is seeing signs of his receivers growing out-sized egos — not that an out-sized ego is the worst thing for a receiver. It’s just that he wants to keep the temperature turned up on the competition in Arizona’s four-wide spread offense.

“They know what it takes,” Nichol said.

“They know you can’t just show up. If you just show up, you’re going to be average. That goes for Juron, too. He’ll get covered up in a heartbeat if he doesn’t work. That’s a fact.”

Criner showed up last season to the tune of 82 catches for 1,233 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite often battling injuries.

Douglas had 52 receptions for 515 yards and five scores. Roberts made 44 receptions for 487 yards and two touchdowns.

Coaches know what these guys can do.

Then there’s Buckner, whom coach Mike Stoops has said has first-round talent.

Miller emerged late last season as an inside receiver; 25 of his 29 catches came in the final five games. He’s not big enough (225 pounds) for a tight end role, but, at 6-4, he’s potentially the target over the middle that was missing for much of the past two seasons.

“That’s a work in progress quite honestly with us as coaches and him at practice in terms of how we use him,” Nichol said. “There are things he can do, there are different things he can’t do.”

Slavin (6-2) and Hill (6-3) are outside receivers. They will be, at worst, insurance against an injury to Criner or Buckner.

“We’re a play away from them playing a lot,” Nichol said.

“There were times last year when I left Juron in because Juron at 70 percent was still better than other guys at 100 percent. … Where I want to get is if Juron is huffing and puffing, I can give him a breather. I didn’t feel like I could do that all the time last year. That’s where their playing time, I think, comes in.”

Wharton, who should see ample time as a kick returner, might be the fastest player on the team. Coaches are giving him a long look this spring, or, as Nichol put it, “I’m repping the dog out of him.”

“He is so fast, but guys don’t always play fast. It ain’t track,” Nichol added. “He has got to play fast.

“He’s willing to learn and he’s competitive. That’s what I like about him. He’s probably tougher than people would think he is being a quote, unquote, track guy. He’s hungry.”

As much as anything right now, that’s what Nichol wants to see from the entire group.

And if the guys aren’t listening, he’ll just point them to the new addition to his video collection: “Bad.”

It just might help them be great.

NOTES
Stoops said after Monday’s practice that safety Adam Hall and running back Greg Nwoko were scheduled for surgery next Tuesday to repair torn ACLs. As for the shuffle in the second, Stoops said Robert Golden will move back to strong safety, which leaves free safety as something of a question mark for now … With a few offseason departures (WR Bug Wright, LB Trevor Erno, LB R.J. Young), Stoops has some scholarships available. He said those could go to walk-ons who prove themselves; he added that the coaching staff is also keeping its eyes open for transfers or late additions to the recruiting class.

Bug Wright catches the game-winning TD pass aganist Iowa.
Photo by Chris Morrison, US PRESSWIRE

The Arizona football team is deepest at receiver, even with senior Bug Wright no longer with the Wildcats.

“Just a violation of team policies and rules,” coach Mike Stoops said Wednesday morning. “It’s been a chronic problem that hasn’t rectified itself.”

Stoops said he didn’t know what Wright would do next. Wright, who has used his redshirt season, would have to transfer to a lower-division school to continue playing because he wouldn’t have to sit out a year.

Stoops announced the suspension of Wright on Nov. 23, clarifying that it wasn’t for legal or academic reasons. Wright was reinstated for the Alamo Bowl, where he promptly muffed the first punt of the game, giving the ball and early momentum to Oklahoma State, which converted the turnover into a 7-0 lead.

Wright made 25 catches for 294 yards and two touchdowns last season, including making the game-winning touchdown catch against Iowa.

As a 5-foot-9 inside receiver, Wright caught 51 passes in three seasons with the Wildcats. He had a punt return for a touchdown against Washington State in 2009.

Arizona has plenty of options for Wright’s “small” inside receiver spot, notably sophomore Richard Morrison, who had six catches for 66 yards in the Alamo Bowl. Morrison, who converted from quarterback before last season, had started to become a factor at midseason before a shoulder injury kept him out for about a month.

“Richard Morrison emerged in the bowl game,” Stoops said. “And Garic Wharton is a guy we have to get involved in this offense because he has tremendous speed. We feel like we’re good at that position.”

Wharton, who redshirted last season as a freshman, might be the fastest guy on the team. Stoops said Wharton is slated to be the team’s primary kick returner following the graduation of Travis Cobb. Wharton likely will get a tryout at punt returner, too.

“We have to get his hands on the ball five to eight times a game,” Stoops said.

As for replacing Wright at punt returner, Arizona could turn to receiver David Douglas, who filled in last season and is the team’s “hands” punt catcher. He’s not much of a threat for a big return, though.

For those explosive plays, Stoops said the coaching staff will look at some of the team’s young defensive backs, including Joe Jonathan McKnight and Shaquille Richardson, as well as senior cornerback Trevin Wade.

Nick Foles throws in spring ball under the watchful eyes of quarterbacks coach Frank Scelfo (left).
Photo by WildcatSportsReport.com

With the spring game looming on Saturday, Arizona coach Mike Stoops is ready to declare the strength of the team.

“I have been pleased with the progression of all three quarterbacks,” Stoops said after Wednesday morning’s practice. “I think there is a difference in every one of them when you look at them.”

It’s probably no coincidence that for the first time, Stoops has a quarterbacks coach who does not double as offensive coordinator, as Mike Canales and Sonny Dykes did.

Frank Scelfo, who tutored four NFL quarterbacks while at Tulane, can focus solely on improving the mechanics and the minds of Nick Foles, Matt Scott and Bryson Beirne.

“I think it’s a different aspect that we haven’t had for the quarterback position,” Stoops said of having Scelfo as a dedicated position coach. “You can have all the ability, but you still have to have the proper mechanics to throw the football accurately. Frank’s expertise in that area has definitely helped.”

**Here is more from Stoops about the quarterbacks:

“Nick really went to a different level this spring, along with Matt. I think both of them are much more polished players, just seeing things quicker, reacting quicker, getting the ball out of their hands, throwing the ball down the field better — every aspect of their game. Their intelligence. I just think they are much more confident players.”

**Beirne, a redshirt junior, has always been a good soldier, despite having only the slimmest prospects of playing time. In scrimmage situations, he has shown a good arm and good decision-making. It certainly wouldn’t be a disaster if he was forced into action by injuries.

“I think Bryson has made some positive steps as well in his limited reps,” Stoops said. “So we feel good. The quarterback position is probably the strongest position on the field.”

**It helps the quarterbacks that the receiver position is the “next position I feel really good about,” Stoops said.

Senior Delashaun Dean and junior Juron Criner are 6-4 outside receivers who combined for 87 catches for 978 yards and 11 touchdowns — nine by Criner — last season. They are givens. Stoops on Wednesday also singled out junior Bug Wright, who was limited by injuries last season, and redshirt freshman Richard Morrison, converting from quarterback.

“Richard Morrison is coming on. That has been a really positive move,” Stoops said.

He added: “Our skill is probably as good as it has ever been.”

**The big question on offense heading into the spring was identifying the play-caller after Stoops promoted Bill Bedenbaugh and Seth Littrell to co-coordinators. It was assumed that Littrell, by virtue of his game-day position in the coaches box, would be the one actually calling down the plays to the sideline, and it appears that will be the case.

“He and Bill set up the daily game plan, and then Seth calls it,” Stoops said. “Still, I’m not really worried about scoring points, really. I think we should be able to do that pretty consistently. I think we’re much better offensively than a year ago.”

**There isn’t a quarterback controversy, but Scott’s throwing appears to be improved, and perhaps the coaches won’t be afraid to let him wing it when he comes into the game as a running change-up to Foles.

“I think I have improved a lot,” Scott said.

“Since Coach Scelfo has been here, I have learned a lot and progressed a lot through him. I just feel like I am improving every day. I’m really confident.”

Earlier this spring, Scelfo said Scott’s throwing motion had gotten “too long,” and he had lost velocity and accuracy because of it. He also discussed how he was working on Foles’ footwork.

“Every time I don’t throw it how he wants it, he is going to let me know,” Scott said of Scelfo.

“He is going to tell me how it is. That is what I like about him. He’s a straight-up guy with you. He is going to give it to you straight. And I feel that is what I need.”

Stoops

Arizona coach Mike Stoops said Wednesday he could have a new offensive coordinator by the end of the week.

Stoops said he has brought in three coaches for interviews.

“We’re close,” Stoops said. “I’d say by Friday we’ll make some kind of decision.”

Stoops must replace Sonny Dykes, who left to become the head coach of Louisiana Tech on Jan. 20 – two weeks before signing day. The Wildcats lost quarterback recruit Matt Brown because of it; Brown signed with TCU.

“I’ve liked everyone I’ve had in,” Stoops said. “There are a lot of unbelievable coaches out there who have great experience and great ideas. We’re trying to find someone who will fit in with our staff the best.”

Even with a new coordinator, there likely won’t be a major shift in scheme as the Wildcats figure to remain a spread team, using plenty of four-receiver sets and the shotgun formation.

“The decision is going to be very difficult,” Stoops said. “I have interviewed three tremendous guys I have taken a liking to. That really is the hardest part of our job sometimes, hiring people and telling other people no.”

The new hire could possibly have a co-coordinator title with Bill Bedenbaugh, the offensive line coach and running game coordinator. Arizona will have co-defensive coordinators next season, with linebackers coach Tim Kish and newcomer Greg Brown, who will be coaching the secondary.

RELATED: Free press conference video from ArizonaWildcats.com

The official Arizona release on its 20-player signing class

SWITCHING POSITIONS
Richard Morrison, who redshirted as a freshman quarterback last season, has moved to a slot receiver position. Morrison, who is listed at 6-0, 180, was a dual-threat quarterback at Royce City (Texas) High School.

DeWayne Peace, who redshirted at receiver last season, will now try cornerback. Peace is 5-11, 180.

“They’re both tremendous athletes that we need to get on the field,” Stoops said. “I have been really impressed with both players.”

UPDATING MATT SCOTT
Junior quarterback Matt Scott, who was a transfer possibility after losing the starting job to classmate Nick Foles after the third game of last season, is back to compete at the position. Arizona also has junior Bryson Beirne.

“There is always the possibility of redshirting,” Stoops said of Scott.

Scott also is athletic enough to play another position.

“We’ll look at all our options, see what Matt feels comfortable doing, where he’s at, how he’s playing,” Stoops said. “All those things we’ll research and prepare for by the season if he’s not the starter.”

OPENER ON ESPN
Arizona announced Wednesday that the team’s season-opener at Toledo has been moved from Saturday, Sept. 4, to Friday, Sept. 3, to accommodate ESPN television.

“It’s going to be great,” Stoops said. “The Friday night before the first football (weekend), playing that game on ESPN, it just continues to give us national exposure … you know, if we play well.

“I think it’s certainly going to get our players’ attention.”

Toledo was 5-7 last season under first-year coach Tim Beckman, and Stoops noted that the Rockets defeated visiting Colorado last season, 54-38.

“I keep reminding Coach Brown about that,” Stoops said of his new co-defensive coordinator. “I think we will be well prepared.”

NEW UNIS
Stoops said Arizona is tweaking its uniforms for next season, and that he wouldn’t rule out using the white helmets, which the Wildcats wore for the first team in his tenure during the Holiday Bowl loss at Nebraska.

“We’re going to have a bunch of different looks that we will be able to accessorize our players with,” Stoops said. “That is kind of the fad we’re in right now with kids and players. We’re trying to keep up with it.

“If it makes them happy, then I’m happy. I really don’t care what we wear.”

Stoops said the uniforms would be “more toward our old look and a little more traditional but still modern” … whatever that means.

At least the colors will stay the same.

NOTABLE
Redshirt freshman defensive end Jackson Powell has left the program, Stoops said. … Stoops on safety recruit Josh Robbins from Canyon del Oro High School: “I think Josh Robbins is kind of a diamond in the rough. He has a huge upside.” … UA officially announced the hiring of Dave Emerick as the assistant director of operations/director of on-campus recruiting. He has spent the past six seasons with Texas Tech, the last two in a “chief of staff” position.