TUCSON, Ariz. -- Lightning stops many programs, but it can't stop the Arizona Wildcats.
Near the end of Arizona's sixth practice of fall camp on Thursday night an ominous storm rolled into the area, causing the team to move the final portion of its training indoors to the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. The state-of-the-art facility provided the Wildcats players with a safe location to complete their 11-on-11 drills and continue preparing for the upcoming season.
"This facility is a great advantage because usually when lightning rolls in, and it's always happening this time of year and at this time of day, you have to come inside and wait it out," center
Josh McCauley said. "With the Sports Center we can just hop inside and get things done."
At the end of practice offensive coordinator
Noel Mazzone and offensive lineman
Josh McCauley made the walk over to the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility to take questions from the assembled media. Complete archives of their media sessions can be viewed here:
Mazzone |
McCauley.
Quote of the Night
Offensive coordinator
Noel Mazzone on
Jamarye Joiner's transition from quarterback to wide receiver: "Oh my gosh, I love that guy, he's done great. My respect for him is off the charts, because he saw a need and kind of saw the big picture of our football team and our offense and where we could use some help and he came in and said 'Coach, I want to help.' ... He definitely was very selfless and put the team in front of himself."
Photo of the Night
Number of the Night — 295
One of the recurring discussions of camp, as it is every year, has been player weights. When asked about their respective changes, the answer across the board has been that the athletes are trying to find their ideal playing weight. Offensive lineman
Josh McCauley has found his ideal weight around the 295 range, reasoning, "I don't want to be too heavy and too slow or be too light and get bull-rushed by a heads-up nose guard. So it's just finding that happy medium and being able to play at the weight you feel best at."
Featured Returner — Redshirt Junior Josh McCauley
Offensive lineman
Josh McCauley was a key member of the Wildcats front five in 2018, and due to his outstanding efforts the former walk-on was presented with a scholarship prior to the Cats spring game on April 13. As Arizona's starting center for all 12 games in 2018, McCauley anchored the offensive line that helped the Wildcats lead the Pac-12 with 202.4 rushing yards per game and ranked third in the conference in fewest sacks allowed (20).
Featured Newcomer — Freshman Jalen Johnson
Johnson, a tall 6-foot-2 wideout from Corona, Calif., arrived in Tucson via Eleanor Roosevelt High School, where he earned a pair of varsity letters. Across two prep seasons he combined to rack up 978 receiving yards on 55 receptions to go along with seven touchdowns. As a senior in 2018, Johnson averaged 78.9 yards per game with six touchdowns while helping lead his team to the first round of the CIF Division III playoffs. The gifted athlete was a two-sport star at Roosevelt, having also earned All-CIF honors as a sprinter on the track team. Johnson has impressed in camp so far, drawing the attention of the
local media as a player to watch going forward.
"Jalen brings a vertical threat to our passing game has a great ability to adjust to the ball in the air. We are excited for the explosive plays he will bring to our offense," outside receivers coach
Taylor Mazzone said of Johnson on signing day.
Tweet of the Night
Continued Coverage...
Day 3 Report |
Day 4 Report |
Day 5 Report
Season tickets, flex packs, and more are available now for the 2019 football season. For more information or to purchase
click HERE or call 621-CATS today.
