So after three weeks, three scrimmages (two public) and a full fall camp the big question is whether my opinion of the Arizona football team has changed. After the smoke has cleared, the answer is “not really.”

Biggest Concerns BEFORE Camp:
My two biggest concerns before camp were the offensive line and the pass rush. In both cases the Wildcats were not only replacing all of their starters, but doing so with inexperienced players. I said over the summer that if the offensive line and pass rush is good, Arizona can challenge for the Pac-12 South championship. If those did not come through, then it could be a long fall.

Last year I believed the offensive line was a problem. That experience did not equal talent. In the end that proved to be the case, the line was mediocre. This year overall talent is not in question. The group of players that Robert Anae is working with may be the most talented in over a decade. They just lack experience and overall strength.

After watching them for a few weeks I feel a little better about the group, but still caution fans that there will be a lot of growing pains. There will be breakdowns. There will be times they get overmatched. There will also be times they absolutely control the game.

I do believe they will be much better at pass blocking than run blocking, but that has been the case since Dick Tomey left.

As for the pass rush, they have looked good at times, but how good are they really. Two players who have really impressed me in camp are C.J. Parish and freshman Reggie Gilbert. Parish has proven to be a versatile, smart player who the Wildcats can use in a variety of ways. Gilbert is a terrific athlete, who I think will be second team by the start of the season. I see him passing Dan Pettinato, if he hasn’t already.

Muhammed Usman is also a specimen, but how can this group do against experienced linemen who are both athletic and strong? Again, I think this is a group that will have moments of brilliance and periods that completely frustrate Wildcat fans.

I must also add, that if some “talk” is true, then the Wildcat coaching will aid the defensive ends in the pass rush. Some of the things I have heard (and seen) are terrific, but until I see it on game day, I am not 100% convinced that Mike Stoops will leave his comfort zone.

Things I Was Confident About BEFORE Camp
Of course I felt great about Nick Foles and the receiving corps. I feel the same about Foles as I did before, and feel better about the receivers. Tyler Slavin had a great camp. Gino Crump looked like he can help and Juron Criner looks as good as ever.

 think Austin Hill is a player, though he is likely a year away from really helping. I wish Terrence Miller had been a little more consistent and I did not see a lot from Garic Wharton, though his best days are also down the line.

Things I Am Worried About AFTER Camp
I am still worried about the offensive line and pass rush, but add kicking game and defensive backs to the list.

None of the Wildcat kickers have really impressed. Alex Zendejas and Jaime Salazar look very similar in terms of leg strength and ability to make kicks. Neither has been bad, but neither has stood out. What we can’t tell from camp is the mental aspect. We know Zendejas has some issues upstairs, especially on extra points, while we have no idea how Salazar will react to real games. Kicking is 50% mental, and it is hard to duplicate the mental aspect in practices.

Punter Kyle Dugandzic has a strong leg, but still lacks consistency. That is troubling with the NAU game about 10 days away. John Bonano is still not impressing with kick offs, though I do like the Cats’ return men.

Overall the defensive backs are solid. The injury to Jourdan Grandon is a concern, as he was clearly in the lead to be the team’s nickel back. Early in camp there were some communication issues and Shaquille Richardson looked to have some issues covering deep, especially when filling in at nickel, but now that he is at corner replacing the injured Jonathan McKnight, he’ll have to correct those issues.

I really like freshman Cortez Johnson, and walk-on Jared Tevis will likely have a scholarship before he graduates.

Overall, the group WILL be better than last year. They are big and athletic, but still young.

Prediction
Before camp I though this was a team that could win as few as four games and as many as eight. The schedule does them no favors, but I think there is talent there, though it may really start to gel in 2012 and 2013. A safe bet is picking 6-6, but a gut feeling says a winning record is a real possibility.

For more great Wildcat coverage check out www.WildcatSportsReport.com

Jonathan McKnight

Although the Arizona Wildcats football team is still basking in the glow of the 2011 recruiting class, it is the 2010 class that is preparing for its first spring practice. A number of 2010 signees enter the 2011 season with chances to make an impact.

• Marquis Flowers – Should compete for a starting safety spot
• Cam Allerheiligen – If Matt Scott redshirts he will probably be the third-string quarterback.
• Mickey Baucus – Should be in the mix for one of the starting tackle spots.
• Fabbians Ebbele – Like Baucus, will likely compete for a starting tackle spot.
• Chase Gorham – Already the starting long snapper.
• Austin Hill – In the mix at the crowded outside receiver spot.
• Carter Lees – Could compete for a starting guard spot with a strong spring.
• Kirifi Taula – May get a shot at defensive tackle.
• Jonathan McKnight – Will battle for a starting cornerback spot. Will see the field in 2011.
• Dan Pettinato – Should be in the defensive end equation.
• Shaquille Richardson – Will battle for a starting cornerback spot. Will see the field in 2011.
• Trent Spurgeon – Will be in the mix at tackle.
• Tyler Slavin – In the mix at the crowded outside receiver spot.

Jonathan McKnight

Although Arizona’s recruiting class did not wow the national analysts, it has wowed many who have watched the Wildcats at fall camp. While not many of the newcomers will play huge roles this season, the future certainly looks bright.

Marquis Flowers – The big safety has already made and impact in camp. Although a concussion has sidelined him at Ft. Huachuca, it sure seems like he will see the field this year. He’s big, physical and fast, the only thing keeping him from the two-deep is learning the system. The early returns are that the Army All-American will live up to his high school billing.

Shaquille Richardson – Another big, impressive athlete. Richardson, like Flowers, has made an instant impact and is getting work with the first and second team. He seems really poised to make a run at playing time, and the thought of a 6-3 cornerback has a lot of people intrigued. If the older corners continue to scuffle, then Richardson could really make a run at a starting spot, or at least some quality snaps.

Fabibans Ebbele – Ebbele won’t play this year, but the future is really bright. He’s tall, strong, athletic and has a frame that can handle a lot of weight. He’s shown some nice lateral quickness when going up against veteran ends and it is not a stretch to envision the Chicago native competing for a starting tackle spot next season.

Mickey Baucus – Nearly everything I just wrote about Ebbele could be said for Baucus. Ebbele may be a slightly better athlete, but Baucus may be a tad stronger right now. He too has had his moments against veteran defensive ends.

Tyler Slavin/Austin Hill – The two freshman receivers have already turned some heads in camp. Hill has made some spectacular catches, while Slavin has been consistently solid as an outside receiver. About the only thing keeping them from the receiver rotation is the team’s great depth at receiver. Despite that, it would not be a shock if they saw the field as true freshmen.

Jonathan McKnight – Like Flowers and Richardson, but McKnight has impressed coaches as well. He is not as big as the other two, but has shown all the athletic ability the Wildcat coaches want in a cornerback. Mike Stoops had a lot of praise for him the other day and he could seriously be in the mix next year for a starting spot.

Fabbians Ebbele (Photo by Brad Allis, WildcatSportsReport.com)

Garic Wharton – Mike Stoops called him the fastest high school football player in America on signing day. Nick Foles says he’s among the fastest, if not the fastest, player on the team. The only problem? He weighs 160 pounds soaking wet. He’s skinny, there is no getting around it. His fellow freshmen, Tyler Slavin and Austin Hill, are more advanced physically and it shows in there performance. However, Wharton has already shown flashes and Stoops was quick to lump him in with Slavin and Hill in praising the group. He had a few catches in the scrimmage and a run for 11 yards. After a year or two in the training program, Wharton could be a game-breaker.

Trent Spurgeon – Okay, I have to start with the beard. Trent’s facial hair resembles that of the lead singer from the Spin Doctors or an Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast. It’s thick, but so is Trent. He’s a tall, athletic blocker who has a decent build but a frame that looks like it can add a lot of weight. He,  Ebbele and Baucus all look like they will be monsters.