TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona senior safety Tra'Mayne Bondurant is no longer with the Wildcats, coach Rich Rodriguez said after the team's first practice Saturday night.
Rodriguez said Bondurant, who had 30 career starts and had been a key to Arizona's defense the past few seasons, failed to "do some discipline things he had to do."
"He chose to leave the program so he's no longer a Wildcat as of today," Rodriguez said.
When asked if there was no chance of return, Rodriguez said, "he wouldn't say that" but it didn't seem likely.
"He left because he didn't want to do the discipline," Rodriguez said. "He had discipline to do and he decided to quit instead."
Bondurant (5-10, 216) was listed on the roster handed out as Saturday's practice started and was still listed on the team's website late Saturday. But he was not at practice Saturday.
He was with the team as it reported Friday afternoon but was not made available to the media after being requested.
In 2013, he started 12 games at the "spur" position -- a hybrid linebacker/safety spot in Arizona's 3-3-5 scheme -- and made plays all over the field. He made 72 tackles, including seven for loss and two sacks. He intercepted four passes, two returned for touchdowns. He also forced a fumble.
His departure seemingly opens up opportunities for William Parks and Anthony Lopez, among others. But Bondurant's experience and ability to be at the right place at the right time will be missed. Rodriguez has said he considers Parks, a junior, to be like a fourth starter among the three-man safety group. Arizona has returning senior starters at the bandit safety (Jared Tevis) and free safety (Jourdon Grandon).
Also, freshman linebacker Marquis Ware was in a green jersey and likely will be out all of fall camp. He has a shoulder injury and there is a chance he will redshirt, Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said the fall's first day of practice wasn't exactly "smooth." He didn't expect it to be, "but the effort and the intensity was good."
"Hell, we're not playing a game for awhile," Rodriguez said. "I would be worried if they weren't excited to practice. And they were."
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