TUCSON, Ariz. – With clouds surrounding the University of Arizona campus and rain lurking, the Arizona Wildcats took to the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center on Monday night to officially open spring practice.
 
The team loaded into its still new indoor sports center for its first practice, and the energy and intensity from the Wildcats on the opening day did not disappoint.
 
"There was a lot of energy, and I thought practice was very good," Coach Kevin Sumlin said to the local media after practice. "We have a lot of new faces out there, players, coaches. We've had some good meetings the last few weeks, but today was the first day we were able to get out there with the guys for practice."
 
The focus for the first practice was the norm for opening practices – fundamentals and enthusiasm. The Wildcats practiced for about 90 minutes, featuring individual drills, seven-on-seven, 11-on-11 and extensive special teams work.
 
After practice, Sumlin, along with sophomore quarterback Grant Gunnell met with the media to break down the first day. With Khalil Tate departing the quarterback position, Sumlin was asked early and often about the premiere position and what's in store for it this spring.
 
"We have two quarterbacks who have played in games, and one who won a game last year," Sumlin said, acknowledging Gunnell's start and win against UCLA. "Grant is obviously, because he's played in games...he's the leader in the clubhouse, just based on what he's done in the past. But there is competition across the board."
 
Redshirt junior Rhett Rodriguez is the other quarterback who has played in a game, when he started against UCLA in 2018 for an injured Tate. The roster also features Kevin Doyle and freshman Will Plummer, who arrived early and has joined the team for spring practice.
 
Gunnell played in eight games last year as a true freshman and threw for 1,239 yards with a completion percentage of 65.2. He threw nine touchdowns to one interception and had a quarterback efficiency of 150.18.
 
The Houston native said he learned a lot in his first year playing college football and is eager to transfer those lessons into the 2020 season.
 
"I didn't expect to get as much as experience as I did," Gunnell said. "I think I learned about the environment and the speed of the game. It was huge getting that experience so early in my career. I made sure I was prepared when I was called on."

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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"When I took my official visit here, I knew this was the place. I knew I wanted to play for Coach Sumlin and Coach (Noel) Mazzone. I knew the very first time." -- Grant Gunnell.

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It's good to be back at it...
??? #BuildingTheA pic.twitter.com/7fls0LnpgM

— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) March 3, 2020