TUCSON, Ariz. --Â The Arizona Wildcats enjoyed a shortened practice on Friday night, focusing primarily on special teams units with a lengthy focus on kickoff returns and coverage. The quick turnaround training session will help prepare the Cats for Saturday's scrimmage in Arizona Stadium that will cap off the first week of fall camp.
Through that opening week of camp, the Wildcats deep defensive line has continued to shine. When asked to describe the defense's front unit on Wednesday, junior linebacker
Tony Fields II offered up two words: Physical and fast.
That much has been obvious to those observing practice, but after Friday night's media availability with STUD
Jalen Harris the question of where the physicality came from has an answer — mom's macaroni and cheese.
"I'm just a mac and cheese guy but I don't like
every mac and cheese, my mom's mac and cheese I love it," Harris said. "I'll just get bowls of it late and night and start eating ... She uses some kind of cheese, I don't really know what it is but I love it."
Harris, along with running back
Gary Brightwell, spoke with the media following Friday's practice and full coverage of what they said can be found here:
Harris | Brightwell
For more rundown on day seven of Arizona fall camp, check out the highlights below.
Quote of the Night
Junior running back
Gary Brightwell, when asked to describe his style of play: "I would say I'm physical, but I can give you a little bit of sauce."
Photo of the Night
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Number of the Night — 202.4
During the 2018 season the Wildcats led the Pac-12 with 202.4 rushing yards per game, marking the third straight season that Arizona was tops in the conference in this category. Their three biggest contributors were
J.J. Taylor, who averaged triple digits at 119.5,
Gary Brightwell (47.7) and
Khalil Tate (20.4).Â
Harris manned the STUD position 12 times last season for the Cats, including four starts to close out the campaign. Across two seasons with Arizona, the Mesa native has tallied 31 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks. Harris' Wildcat roots run deep — his father, Sean, played football at Arizona from 1991-94 and served as the team captain during his senior season while his mother, Cha-Ron, was a member of the UA women's basketball team from 1996-98. The second-generation Cat has performed well during the first week of fall camp and will likely feature heavily in the mix on defense in 2019. Being part of a sports-centric family has helped shape Harris, and while he may not have seen the value in it at a younger age, he does now.
"My parents taught me a lot at a young age how to be competitive and they never took it easy on me," Harris said. "They also taught me how to have a good work ethic and never give up ... When I was younger I didn't appreciate it; I hated it, I wanted to play video games all the time. But now that I'm older I'm more appreciative of it and I've learned that I need to do more outside of what [the team] does if I want to be good."
Brightwell served as the Wildcats No. 2 running back in 2019, amassing 525 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 91 carries — his 5.8 yards per rush average was the best mark on the team. He played in 11-of-12 games and eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice, at Oregon State on Sept. 22 and at UCLA on Oct. 20. With Brightwell and redshirt junior
J.J. Taylor expected to carry the majority of the load for the running backs, the Wildcats have one of the most dynamic backfields in the nation.
"Unstoppable. That's the best way I can describe [our combo]," Brightwell said. "With both of us on the field, you've got to choose one, you can't [cover] both of us."
Featured Newcomer — Freshman Jordan Morgan
Morgan, a local product, earned his prep varsity letters as an offensive lineman at Marana High School. During his time with the Tigers he helped lead the team to three consecutive state playoffs appearances from 2016-2018 while earning All-State honors along the way. In addition to his duties on the offensive line, Morgan also saw time on the D-line, picking up 34 tackles. The 6-foot-5 dual-sport athlete also competed as a shot thrower for the Marana track and field program and excelled in the classroom, earning a spot on the honor roll.
"Long, athletic offensive tackle with great change of direction and bend. Has the quickness and athletic ability to play left tackle and has good power in the run game," the coaching staff said of Morgan on signing day.
Tweet of the Night
Continued Coverage...
Day 4 Report |Â
Day 5 Report |Â
Day 6 Report
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click HEREÂ or call 621-CATS today.
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