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

Less than a week into fall football camp it is hard to tell a lot about the team, but stories and themes are starting to emerge.

So far Nick Foles has been sharp and it is obvious that Matt Scott is attempting to redshirt this season, allowing him to battle for the starting job as a fifth year starter in 2012. Bryson Beirne has been getting the bulk of the snaps with the second team, while Scott, the back-up in 2010, works with the scout team.

Keola Antolin and Daniel Jenkins are holding down the top two spots at running back and the real competition seems to be for the third running back job. Sophomore Kylan Butler has the edge early in camp, but walk-on Terris Jones and true freshman Ka’Deem Carey are getting their opportunities.

Heading into fall camp we knew the Arizona receiving corps was deep, but this appears top be the deepest the unit has ever been. Juron Criner is back with the team after attending to some personal matters over the summer. He does not appear 100% in shape, but is still making plays. Once he improves his conditioning, watch out.

Newcomer Dan Buckner, the Texas transfer, appears as good as advertised, while Tyler Slavin has made play after play.

Terrence Miller has been a go-to guy during 2:00 drills and he gives the Cats yet another big target.

All eyes are on the offensive line and so far, so good. The starting five of Mickey Baucus, Fabbians Ebelle, Chris Putton, Trace Biskin and Kyle Quinn have been solid and early on have fended off challenges from second teamers.

The biggest news among the line is the addition of Jack Baucus, who moves from tight end to tackle.

Another position of interest has been the defensive ends who have to replace three players drafted by the NFL. So far Muhammed Usman and C.J. Parish have been very good and true freshmen Reggie Gilbert and Dame Ndiaye have shown that the future at the position seems very bright.

Junior college transfer David Lopez will start alongside Paul Vassallo and Derek Earls when the Cats go with their 4-3 base defense, but all indications are that the Wildcats will spend a lot of time in their nickel and dime packages.

So far the defensive backs have also played well. Shaq Richardson and Jonathan McKnight are in a real battle to start opposite of senior Trevin Wasde and Derrick Rainey is also showing well at corner.

There is less competition at safety where Rob Golden and Marquis Flowers have their jobs all but sewn up.

Alex Zendejas and Jaime Salazar are in a duel for the place kicking job. Many assumed that after last year’s disasterous finish that Zendejas would be out of a job, but he worked hard over the summer and the job probably won’t be decided early in camp.

So far the Wildcats have remained relatively injury free, which is especially good news after all of the injuries during spring ball. Two of those injured players, linebacker Jake Fischer and safety Adam Hall, appear to be ahead of schedule and may have a tough decision to make about whether to play this year or use a redshirt.

Juron Criner (Brad Allis/WildcatSportsReport.com)

Arizona has not finished the 2010 season but it is not too early to look ahead to 2011. A lot is still to be determined thanks to position battles, possible departures and recruiting, but we can get a basic idea of how things will look next season. Today we move onto the wide receivers.

OVERVIEW: The Wildcats were great at wide receiver this year, but should be even better next year. The Wildcats have four players redshirting who look as if they can compete next year for key roles. Even if they lose Juron Criner, the wideouts should be the deepest unit on the club.

SAY GOODBYE TO: Travis Cobb. Cobb is the only senior who sees significant playing time. He was never able

SAY HELLO TO: David Richards. The Palmdale (Calif.) product is not the highest rated player, but he fits the mold of the tall, athletic, skilled receivers the Wildcats have had success with the past few seasons.

GET TO KNOW:  Dan Buckner, Tyler Slavin, Austin Hill and Garic Wharton. All four of these players could have an impact right away. Slavin and Hill redshirted but were suited up each game and could have seen the field if the Cats had less depth. Buckner, the transfer from Texas, appears to be the kind of impact athlete the Cats have lacked, while Wharton is probably the fastest player on the team.

QUESTIONS: Will  Criner be back or turn pro? What will Bug Wright’s role be after being suspended? Can Terrence Miller continue to improve? How will the four redshirts fit in? Is Buckner as good as advertised? Are there enough balls to go around?

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.

For complete coverage of signing day, including the FAX TRACKER, bios and breaking news, make sure you visit WildcatSportsReport.com.

Quarterback

Committed (1)
Cameron Allerheiligen, 6-3, 190, Keller (TX) HS

Fits Needs: D
With apolgies to Allerheiligen (no, I have no idea how to pronounce it either), he has a lot to prove. The ultimate sleeper in this class, he is a player who most recruiting services did not even have a profile for him. Maybe someday he will make me eat my words, but at this stage I would have felt a lot more confident with Matt Brown in the class.

Running Back

Committed (0)

Fits Needs: C
The Cats return five of their top six running backs (six if you count Taimi Tutogi) and did not really need a back in the class. The Cats will add redshirt freshmen Kylan Butler and Daniel Jenkins to the mix of Nic Grigsby, Keola Antolin and Greg Nwoko.

Wide Receiver

Mickey Baucus/WildcatSportsReport.com

Committed: (5)

Tyler Slavin 6-1, 191, Eleanor Roosevelt HS – Corona, CA
Austin Hill 6-3, 188, Eleanor Roosevelt HS – Corona, CA
Garic Wharton 5-11 165, Valley HS – Las Vegas, NV
Dexter Ransom 6-3, 215, Blinn College
Dan Buckner, 6-4, 215, Allen, TX/Texas

Fills Needs: A
The Cats probably did not need five receivers, after all they only lose on key contributor and only have two juniors on the roster that play any kind of key role. However, the Cats just could not pass up the variety and talent of the receivers in the class. They have fast receivers, big receiver and possession receivers. They even have a variety of ages with three freshmen, a D-I transfer and a junior college transfer.

Tight End

Committed: (0)

Fills Need: Incomplete
It is hard to determine whether or not the Cats failed to fill a need or no longer have the need. With the departure of Rob Gronkowski the Cats may phase out the position and rely more on the H-Back position.

Offensive Linemen

Committed:  (4)

Trent Spurgeon  6-7, 260 Owasso (OK) HS
Mickey Baucus 6-7, 250 Carmel Catholic HS – Mundelein, IL
Matthew Jakubiec 6-7, 290 Servite (CA) HS
Carter Lees  6-5, 325  Kempner HS – Sugarland, TX

 Fills Need: B
The Cats bring in four solid linemen, even if they did not bring in any starts. Three of the four have decent ratings and Lees had not yet been evaluated by the ESPN.com analysts. All four are over 6-5, three are 6-7, and they all have frames that can carry a lot of weight. This is a group that will not be relied on right away, but have the potential to produce at least a few future starters.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW