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Spring practice preview: Defense

As Arizona gets ready for its first day of spring practice Friday afternoon we continue our preview of the team now taking a look at the defensive side of the ball where there will be plenty of changes as an entirely new staff begins its work. New defensive coordinator Marcel Yates will lead the way for Arizona’s new defensive staff and its new attacking style. There will be plenty of learning and teaching going on over on the defensive side of the field during spring ball as the players and coaches get to know each other a little better.

Here is our breakdown of the position groups on defense.

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Will the new coaching staff and renewed energy help Marcus Griffin make his move?
Will the new coaching staff and renewed energy help Marcus Griffin make his move? (Matt Moreno/GOAZCATS.com)

Defensive line

Well Arizona now has its defensive line coach as Vince Amey was the last new coach to be hired on that side of the ball and now the team can move forward. The hire really could pump some new life into the unit as it makes the transition to replacing some notable players and becoming an even bigger part of the defense.

The Wildcats have been fortunate that a number of the players who will be factors this season have some experience and that is a benefit. Luca Bruno and Sani Fuimaono will continue to be staples of what UA does while Parker Zellers, Jack Banda and Calvin Allen have all contributed as well. Anthony Fotu will have to continue to sit out into next season, but this will be an important spring for him to stay on the right track and make some strides of his own. UA will be getting some more help once the summer arrives, but this might be the most important spring for Marcus Griffin. Maybe more so than any other player on the defensive line the staff change could help him the most. He has not been able to crack the rotation up to this point but he has the skill set and talent to do so.

A productive spring and summer from him will put him right in the mix to be a regular contributor this season. Aiulua Fanene and Darrell Cloy moving over to the defensive line will also be interesting to watch as the spring plays out.

DL on roster: Calvin Allen (RJr.), Jack Banda (RJr.), Justin Belknap (RFr.), Luca Bruno (RJr.), Darrell Cloy (So.), Finton Connolly (RFr.), Aiulua Fanene (RSr.), Anthony Fotu (Sr.), Sani Fuimaono (Sr.), Marcus Griffin (RSo.), Roc Russell (RJr.), Parker Zellers (RJr.)

Linebackers

Arizona’s linebacker group has grown a ton and that means there should be some competition for the starting jobs. There are some injuries UA will have to work through this spring so it will not be a group that is at 100 percent, but there will certainly be some players who will get work in these next few weeks. UA will get even more bodies this summer but for now the group certainly already has some depth. DeAndre’ Miller is one who is poised to make that next jump with his career coming off a more healthy season than he has had. He became a versatile player that UA was able to use in a variety of ways. Jamardre Cobb going back to defense will be interesting to watch as he looks to make his impact at linebacker now after playing full back last season. John Kenny, Matthew Stagg, Kendal Franklin and Tre Tyler are some others to keep an eye on this spring.

Derrick Turituri, Cody Ippolito and Jake Matthews - all potential starters - are working through injuries but that will mean some opportunities for the other members of the group this spring.

LBs on roster: Jamardre Cobb (RSo.), Kendal Franklin (RFr.), Kevin Hamlett Jr. (RSo.), Cody Ippolito (RSr.), John Kenny (RJr.), Alex King (RSr.), Rob Kleifield (RFr.), Jake Matthews (Sr.), DeAndre’ Miller (RJr.), RJ Morgan (RJr.), Kahi Neves (Fr.), Brandon Rutt (RSo.), Matthew Stagg (RSr.), Jason Sweet (RJr.), Derrick Turituri (RJr.), Tre Tyler (RSo.), Vaughn Carrington (RFr.), Marquis Ware (RSo.)

Anthony Mariscal set himself up to be a contributor going into his first spring with Arizona
Anthony Mariscal set himself up to be a contributor going into his first spring with Arizona (Matt Moreno/GOAZCATS.com)

Safeties

Arizona’s safety group is another one that will be receiving an influx of talent over the summer with some new key pieces that could factor into things right away, but the group is starting to come together quite nicely going into the spring. There is some experience there with players such as Tellas Jones and Paul Magloire, but there will need to be some others who step up as well with a number of last year’s key contributors now moved on. One name to continue to watch is redshirt freshman Anthony Mariscal. The California native was able to make some noise last fall and he ended up being a regular on Arizona’s travel squad throughout the year. With a need for some more safeties who are ready to play he is one to keep an eye on this spring. In addition to Mariscal the Wildcats also have Carter Hehr who has some game experience under his belt.

Isaiah Hayes will be one to watch as he fits the rangy style that UA’s staff is looking for in its safeties. Getting in a semester early could be big for him down the line. As of now Arizona only has Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles listed at free safety but there will be others who will need to help fill the back-up role as well. Devon Brewer is one name to continue to watch at that position.

Safeties on roster: Francisco Dicochea III (RFr.), Nick Fadelli (RFr.), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (So.), Tyler Grammar (RJr.), Albert Green (RFr.), Isaiah Hayes (Fr.), Carter Hehr (RJr.), Jarek Hilgers (Sr.), Samir Hinn (RFr.), Tellas Jones (RSr.), Paul Magloire (RSr.), Anthony Mariscal (RFr.), Ikaia Nawahine (RFr.), Thomas Sawyer (RFr.), Patrick Stevens (RFr.)

Cornerbacks

Arizona’s cornerback group is starting to look a little better than it has and there is some more size to it now. There are still a number of question marks with the unit and the spring will be an important time as group will focus on the basics of playing the position. There are a number of capable bodies at cornerback but there has not been a ton of separation with the group either. UA used a variety of players there last season and ultimately settled on DaVonte’ Neal and Jarvis McCall as the two main players at the position. Both of those guys will be back, but the battle for the starting spots and to be in the rotation is far from settled.

Dane Cruikshank, coming off his redshirt season, is one to keep an eye on since he has the size that coaches like to see at the position. Kwesi Mashack was in position to be in the rotation last year before dealing with injury so he will be one to watch and Sammy Morrison was the starter in the season opener and he is now older and has that experience on his side. Jace Whittaker is another one the staff had some confidence in last season as well.

Antonio Parks is one player Arizona was excited about when he committed and now that he has had time to sit out and rehab his knee injury it will be interesting to see how he looks this spring.

CBs on roster: Devon Brewer (So.), Dane Cruikshank (RJr.), Devin Holiday (Sr.), Malcolm Holland (RFr.), Kwesi Mashack (Jr.), Jarvis McCall (RJr.), Malik Moody (RFr.), Sammy Morrison (So.), DaVonte’ Neal (RSr.), Antonio Parks (Fr.), Jordan Smith (RFr.), Isaiah Strong (RJr.), Jace Whittaker (So.)

Arizona opens up spring ball Friday afternoon and will practice again Saturday before taking some time before getting back at it late next week.

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