College Football

Arizona notebook: Silent treatment on QBs

Updated Sep. 13, 2022 11:41 a.m. ET

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TUCSON, Ariz. -- The media wasn't allowed to speak to any of the quarterbacks after Arizona's Monday night practice, making it three consecutive days of no quotes from a quarterback. Head coach Rich Rodriguez had been down on his quarterbacks in recent performances.

When will he allow the media to talk quarterbacks B.J. Denker and/or Jesse Scroggins?

"After I do," Rodriguez joked. "We have so many of them I can't talk to them all. It takes me a week to talk to them all. We have six. I just don't want to throw one out there and (have the media) think that's the guy. To be honest, I don't know who the guy is. Every day it changes."

On Monday, Scroggins participated in drills for the first time after missing two days while recovering from a concussion.

"He looked all right. He has some physical talent," Rodriguez said. "I think his footwork was rushed a little bit."

Rodriguez said he'd take another 1 ½ weeks before he starts to whittle down the depth at quarterback.



Rodriguez said he could learn more about DaVonte' Neal's eligibility as soon as Tuesday.

"I was hoping we'd hear something (on Monday)," Rodriguez said after Day 3 of Arizona's preseason camp. "Another day goes by."

Rodriguez said at the Pac-12 Conference media day he didn't think Neal would be eligible after transferring from Notre Dame in the spring.

The former Scottsdale Chaparral standout has applied for a waiver to the NCAA requesting he not have to sit out the season (as per NCAA rules) in part because his girlfriend and young daughter live in the Phoenix area.
It was a reason why he decided to leave Notre Dame.

Neal, a 5-foot-9, 175-pound wide receiver, was Arizona's No. 1 recruiting target before he chose Notre Dame two years ago. Neal played sparingly as a true freshman at Notre Dame.

Rodriguez said Neal has looked good in practice.

"If he can play this year he'll be playing this year," Rodriguez said. "He's got a great attitude and we're all hopeful he can (play), but we will see what happens."
 


The Wildcats practiced at Arizona Stadium because its usual practice field was being resodded. There was a downpour about 90 minutes into practice.

"The stadium is beautiful," said defensive back Tra'Mayne Bondurant. "It's always a good feeling to be in the stadium. We're trying to get used to the turf before we play on it. I love playing on turf."

The new turf is part of the $72.3 million renovation to Arizona Stadium.

The Wildcats will have two more practices in Tucson before venturing to Fort Huachuca for three days of work and team bonding.

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