TUCSON, Ariz. — The Wildcats turned the corner on week two of fall camp with a light Thursday practice inside the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center.
Following the helmets-only training session, special teams coordinator
Jeremy Springer and wide receiver/special teams standout
Thomas Reid III sat down to talk with the media.
The early returns from fall camp have been promising for the Wildcats punters, a welcome development for the crucial 1/3 of the game special teams occupies.
"Great competition [at punter] right now," Springer said. "They want to be successful, and that's all you can really ask for. Those guys are all-in; they're all-in for Arizona, they're all-in for the fans, they're all-in for the players. They want to be the reason why we flip the field ... and put us in a great position to win games."
For Springer and Reid's full Thursday interviews, click
HERE or press play on the featured video at the top of the story.
Quote of the Night
Reid, a redshirt senior, on his role with the program this season: "I feel like my role has changed in that fact that, as a receiver I'm the oldest in the room right now, so I'm kind of a leadership figure both as a receiver and on special teams."
Photo of the Night
Number of the Night — 94
Gary Brightwell, the Wildcats leading returning rusher from last season, uncorked a
94-yard rushing touchdown in week two of the 2019 season against Northern Arizona. It was tied for the second-longest run in school history, and the lengthiest rush in a decade. Brightwell finished the game against Northern Arizona with a career-high 141 yards on the ground.
Featured Returner — RS Senior WR Thomas Reid III
Reid shined for the Wildcats on special teams in 2018, even earning All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention recognition for his efforts, before expanding his role more into the offense in 2019. Last season, Reid appeared in all 12 games and pulled in five receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown. His lone score of the season, the first of his collegiate career, was a 75-yard reception from then-backup QB
Grant Gunnell against Northern Arizona.
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Wilson, who goes by the nickname "Tank," joins the Wildcats out of Orange Vista High School in Perris, California. The 6-foot-4, 276-pound defensive lineman also played basketball during his prep career, seeing time at power forward and center. On the football field, Wilson Jr. earned All-Conference, All-City, and All-District honors as both a junior and a senior.
"I chose Arizona because it was the perfect fit for me to be better as a person and even better as an athlete," he said.
"This kid is athletic, long, and really loves the game. He's a multiple-sport athlete who runs track, plays basketball — you name it, he does it."
Key is new to football, but has the frame to contribute to the Wildcats defensive front under defensive line coach
Stan Eggen.
"Big, strong, physical guy that has played just one year of football and has a great opportunity to be a tremendous asset to this football team," Eggen said of Key.
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