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Arizona Wildcat Football on the Rise...for Now

Comprising the smallest BCS School in the country, Wake Forest quietly produced four draftees for the NFL, including the No. 4 player taken - linebacker Aaron Curry. Wake’s 2004 class was ranked relatively low by most pundits. Scout.com ranked their class #61 in the country and #10 of 11 ACC schools. Aaron Curry was rated a 2-star athlete. What this shows is while the rankings make for good discussion and blog items, they do not necessarily translate into actual reality.

That’s good news for the Arizona Wildcats football program, which rarely has a highly touted recruiting class. As of May 1, 2009, Scout.com ranked Arizona’s 2009 class as #47 in the nation, and only #8 in the Pac-10. Rivals.com ranked Arizona’s 2009 class as #45 in the nation, and only #7 in the Pac-10. Clearly, a great deal more goes into a team’s overall success, such as coaching, conditioning, and team chemistry. Moreover, some teams - though never attracting the favorable attention of the national recruiting guides - appear to put talented teams on the field nonetheless, or at least teams filled with players who can execute the coach’s system. Examples include Oregon State University, Boise State University, and the University of Utah. Arizona fans believe they can achieve the same kind of success without having to bring in top 10 recruiting classes year after year.

For the 2009 season, Arizona coach Mike Stoops is talking about the prospects of having a great defense. Having a great defense will be a big help as the Wildcats are still going to have to put up some points without Willie Tuitama for the first time in four seasons. The QB prospects are young, but with more mobility understanding of the spread offense at young ages. Tuitama grew with the spread after having learned several different offensive types. Sophomores Matt Scott and Nick Foles are the front-runners for the job, with junior Bryson Beirne also fighting for a position.

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“We have as much talent offensively as we have ever had coming back,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. There is no doubt Arizona will have playmakers. The Quarterbacks will be tasked to distribute the ball to two capable receivers (Terrell Turner, Delashaun Dean) arguably the best Tight End in the country (Rob Gronkowski), and two experienced Running Backs (Nic Grigsby, Keola Antolin). Scott, who completed 7-of-11 passes for 84 yards in a backup role a year ago, is considered my most the leading candidate. Known more as a runner than a passer, Scott is trying to offset that reputation in spring workouts. Foles, a transfer from Michigan State, has the stronger and more accurate arm.

From what Stoops has said, it looks like both Quarterbacks will see action in the team’s first game against Central Michigan - a bowl eligible team for the last three seasons. With several more home games than road games (much like 2008), most fans expect this team to be in the upper half of the Pac-10. Arizona has a ways to go before competing with USC for the Rose Bowl, but fans of the program remain hopeful of someday making it to the Granddaddy of Them All.

By Tommy Comer
DFN Sports Staff Writer