2017 Arizona Wildcats football team
2017 Arizona Wildcats football | |
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Conference | Pac-12 Conference |
South Division | |
Head coach | Rich Rodriguez (6th year) |
Co-offensive coordinator | Calvin Magee (6th year) |
Co-offensive coordinator | Rod Smith (6th year) |
Offensive scheme | Spread |
Defensive coordinator | Marcel Yates (2nd year) |
Base defense | 4–2–5 |
Home stadium |
Arizona Stadium (Capacity: 55,675) |
Uniform | |
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The 2017 Arizona Wildcats football team represents the University of Arizona in the 2017 season. The season is the Wildcats's 118th overall, 40th as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, and its seventh within the Pac-12 South Division. The team plays their home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.
Previous season and offseason
After starting the season 2–1 (the sole victory coming against FCS Grambling State and Hawaii, then lose to BYU). Under Rodriguez, extending back to the 2012 season, the Wildcats had lost 8 consecutive games to FBS opponents, their last victory coming nearly a year earlier on September 17, 2016, against Hawaii, leading the team to a record of 3–9 (1–8 Pac-12) on the season.
Departures
The Wildcats would lose twenty-one senior football players to graduation. The Wildcats would lose more players from the 2016 team due to various reasons (transfers and withdrawals will be filled out once spring practice occurs). Notable departures from the 2016 squad included.
Name | Number | Pos. | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tellas Jones | #1 | S | RS Senior | Graduated |
Trey Griffey | #5 | WR | Senior | Graduated |
Michael Barton | #11 | LB | GS Senior | Graduated |
Paul Magloire Jr. | #14 | LB | RS Senior | Graduated |
Matt Morin | #15 | TE | RS Senior | Graduated |
Josh Kern | #17 | TE | RS Senior | Graduated |
Davonte' Neal | #19 | CB | RS Senior | Graduated |
Tyler Grammer | #43 | S | RS Senior | Graduated |
Matthew Stagg | #59 | LB | RS Senior | Graduated |
Aiulua Fanene | #62 | DL | RS Senior | Graduated |
Zach Hemilla | #65 | OL | RS Senior | Posthumously Graduated, after he was found dead. |
Freddie Tagaloa | #72 | OL | RS Senior | Graduated |
Samajie Grant | #10 | WR-RB | Senior | Graduated |
Nate Phillips | #11 | WR | Senior | Graduated |
Devin Holiday | #13 | CB | Senior | Graduated |
DeJean King | #44 | S | Senior | Graduated |
Jake Matthews | #47 | LB | Senior | Graduated |
Sani Fuimano | #99 | DL | Senior | Graduated |
Orlando Bradford | #21 | RB | Sophomore | dismissed from the football program |
Cody Ippolito | #57 | LB | RS Senior |
granted his release without restrictions after he missed two full years because of knee surgeries. As such, he can apply for a sixth year. |
Preseason
Transfers
Recruiting
Position key
Back | B | Center | C | Cornerback | CB | Defensive back | DB | |||
Defensive end | DE | Defensive lineman | DL | Defensive tackle | DT | End | E | |||
Fullback | FB | Guard | G | Halfback | HB | Kicker | K | |||
Kickoff returner | KR | Offensive tackle | OT | Offensive lineman | OL | Linebacker | LB | |||
Long snapper | LS | Punter | P | Punt returner | PR | Quarterback | QB | |||
Running back | RB | Safety | S | Tight end | TE | Wide receiver | WR |
All junior college transfers will enroll at Arizona in February 2017, participate in spring practice and be eligible to play in 2017.
Freshmen signed financial aid agreements with Arizona in 2017 and will join with the junior college transfer as January 2017 enrollees. Financial aid agreements are binding on schools but non-binding on players.
National Signing Day is February 3, 2017. The incoming players listed below include the three junior college transfers that have signed binding letters of intent during the junior college transfer signing period, and the two incoming freshmen who have signed financial aid agreements to enroll in January 2017.
The Wildcats would go on to land the top recruiting class in 2017 (#16 by Scout, #14 by Rivals, #19 by ESPN, and #18 by 247) and finish top in the Pac-12 recruitment class (#No. 2 by 247, #1 by Scout, #2 by ESPN, and #No.1 by Rivals)
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
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Greg Johnson #7 ATH |
Los Angeles, CA | Augustus F. Hawkins HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | Mar 2, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Jalen Harris #34 DE |
Mesa, AZ | Desert Ridge HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Aug 5, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Nathan Tilford #36 RB |
Ontario, CA | Colony HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Apr 12, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Tony Fields #33 OLB |
Las Vegas, NV | Desert Pines HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | May 7, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Braxton Burmeister #18 QB-DT |
La Jolla, CA | La Jolly County Day School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | May 13, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Kurtis Brown #43 DT |
Bakersfield, CA | Liberty HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 276 lb (125 kg) | Apr 5, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Darin McNeal #47 ATH |
Seffner, FL | Armwood HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 158 lb (72 kg) | Jul 11, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Brian Casteel #135 WR |
Covina, CA | Charter Oak HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Jun 11, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Scott Young #51 S |
La Mesa, CA | Helix HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | Jun 15, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Troy Young #56 S |
Mobile, AL | Mobile Christian HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Jul 23, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Kylan Wilborn #70 DE |
Sherman Oaks, CA | Notre Dame HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 236 lb (107 kg) | Apr 5, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Joshua Brown #27 ILB |
Long Beach, CA | Long Beach Polytechnic HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | Jun 12, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Warren Jackson #144 WR |
Mission Hills, CA | Bishop Alemany HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Apr 12, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Bryce Gilbert #15 TE-H |
Gilbert, AZ | Higley HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Jun 13, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Malik Housman #69 CB |
Las Vegas, NV | Bishop Gorman HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 168 lb (76 kg) | Jun 20, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Cody Shear #64 OG |
Eugene, OR | Sheldon HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Jul 1, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Bryce Wolma #31 TE-Y |
Saline, MI | Saline HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Apr 6, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Edgar Burrola #77 OT |
Las Vegas, NV | Desert Pines HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Jun 8, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Austin Faoliu #67 DT |
Santa Ana, CA | Mater Dei HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Sep 29, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Drew Dixon #80 ATH |
Tucson, AZ | Sabino HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 199 lb (90 kg) | Jun 5, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Rhett Rodriguez #39 QB-DT |
Tucson, AZ | Catalina Foothills HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Jan 16, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Xavier Bell #74 S |
Santa Ana, CA | Mater Dei HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jun 17, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Elijah Watson #72 DT |
Bradenton, FL | IMG Academy | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Apr 30, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Bryce Brand #38 ILB |
Concord, CA | Clayton Valley Charter HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Jun 14, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Rhedi Short #111 CB |
Los Angeles, CA | Cathedral HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 177 lb (80 kg) | Jul 3, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Matthew Leo #36 DE (JC) |
Yuma, AZ | Arizona Western College | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Aug 19, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Delshawn Phillips #29 OLB (JC) |
Detroit, MI | Garden City CC | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jul 23, 2016 | |
Scout:![]() ![]() | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: #16 Rivals: #14 247Sports: #18 ESPN: #19 | ||||||
Sources:
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Spring Game
The 2017 Wildcats had spring practice from February 2017 to March 2017. The 2017 Arizona football spring game will take place in Tucson, AZ at a date and time to be determined.
Date | Time | Spring Game | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 2017 | Navy/Blue vs. Red/White | Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ | P12N | |
2017 returning missionaries
The returning starters will be filled in when national signing day occurs. Arizona had seven returning players on offense, five on defense and five on special teams that started games in 2016.
Fall camp
Fall camp is scheduled for August.
Pac-12 Media Days
Pac-12 media days are set for July 2017 in Hollywood, California.
Personnel
Coaching staff
Arizona Wildcats coaches | ||||||||
Head Coach
Assistant Coaches
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Coaching Staff Sources: ArizonaWildcats.com[1]
Roster
Offense Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers
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Running Backs
Offensive Linemen
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Tight Ends
Defense Defensive Linemen
Linebackers
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Cornerbacks
Safeties
Special Teams Punters
Kickers
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Sources: 2017 Arizona Wildcats roster |
Injury Report
Player | Position | Status | Injury | Date of Injury | Date of Return (Anticipated) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Regular Season
Schedule
Arizona announced its 2017 football schedule on January ,2017. The 2017 schedule consists of 7 home, 4 away in the regular season. Arizona will face all five Southern Division opponents: Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC and Utah. They will also face four Northern Division opponents: California, Oregon, Oregon State and Washington State. Arizona is not scheduled to play Pac-12 North opponents Stanford and Washington in the regular season.
The Wildcats began the season with three non-conference games by hosting the Northern Arizona of FCS's Big Sky (the Wildcats defeated in Tucson, AZ at 2015 season), Houston of the AAC and travel to El Paso, TX to play UTEP of the (C-USA).Their conference regular season was at home against the TBA on TBA. Their final regular season game was on the road against the Arizona State for the 91st annual Territorial Cup on TBA.
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | |||
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September 2 | Northern Arizona* | Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ | |||||||
September 9 | Houston* | Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ | |||||||
September 16 | at UTEP* | Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX | |||||||
TBA | at Arizona State | Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, AZ (Rivalry) | |||||||
*Non-conference game. ![]() |
- Schedule Source: FBschedules.com[2]
Legend | |
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Arizona win | |
Arizona loss |
Game Notes
Northern Arizona
Sources: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
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13–1 | 2015 | Arizona 77–13 |
To open up the 2017 season, Arizona will host Northern Arizona for its first nonconference home opener in Tucson. Two years ago, Arizona won the previous meeting, 77–13 in Tucson. Arizona lead the all-time series with 13–1.
Game Stats:
- Passing:
Northern Arizona –
Arizona –
- Rushing:
Northern Arizona –
Arizona –
- Receiving:
Northern Arizona –
Arizona –
- Interceptions:
Northern Arizona –
Arizona –
Houston
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Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
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1–1 | 1986 | Arizona 37–3 |
Arizona will host UTEP for its second non-conference game in Tucson, AZ. Thirty-one years ago, Arizona won the previous meeting, 37–3 in Tucson. Arizona tied the all-time series with 1–1 apiece.
Game Stats
- Passing:
Houston –
Arizona –
- Rushing:
Houston –
Arizona –
- Receiving:
Houston –
Arizona –
- Interceptions:
Houston –
Arizona –
at UTEP
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Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
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38–11–2 | 2003 | Arizona 42–7 |
Arizona will host UTEP for its third and final nonconference game of the 2017 season in El Paso, TX. Fourteen years ago, Arizona won the previous meeting, 42–7 in Tucson. Arizona lead the all-time series with 38–11–2.
Game Stats
- Passing:
Arizona –
UTEP –
- Rushing:
Arizona –
UTEP –
- Receiving:
Arizona –
UTEP –
- Interceptions:
Arizona –
UTEP –
at Arizona State
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Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
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49–40 | 2016 | Arizona 56–35 |
In the final 2017 regular season, the 91st annual Territorial Cup game will be hosting their biggest rivals, Arizona State in Tempe. Arizona leads the all-time series 49-40-1. Arizona won the 2016 game in Tucson.
Game Stats
- Passing:
Arizona –
Arizona State –
- Rushing:
Arizona –
Arizona State –
- Receiving:
Arizona –
Arizona State –
- Interceptions:
Arizona –
Arizona State –
Attendance
Season | Games | Sellouts | W–L–T (%) | Attendance | Average | Best |
2017 | 0–0–0 (–) | - | - |
Statistics
Team
|
|
Offense
Rushing
Name | GP-GS | Att | Gain | Loss | Net | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
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TEAM | |||||||||
Total | |||||||||
Opponents |
Passing
Name | GP-GS | Effic | Att-Cmp-Int | Pct | Yds | TD | Lng | Avg/G |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | ||||||||
Opponents |
Receiving
Name | GP-GS | Att | Gain | Loss | Net | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TEAM | |||||||||
Total | |||||||||
Opponents |
Defense
Name | GP | Tackles | Sacks | Passing Defense | Interceptions | Fumbles | Blkd Kick | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solo | Ast | Total | TFL-Yds | No-Yds | BrUp | QBH | No.-Yds | Avg | TD | Long | Rcv-Yds | FF | |||
Total |
Special teams
Name | Punting | Kickoffs | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Yds | Avg | Long | TB | FC | I20 | Blkd | No. | Yds | Avg | TB | OB | |
Total |
Name | Punt Returns | Kick Returns | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | No. | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | |
Total |
Non-conference opponents
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Pac-12 opponents
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Score total by Quarters
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Awards and Honors
Weekly Awards
- Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week
- Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
- Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week
- Coaches Offensive Player of the Week
- Coaches Defensive Player of the Week
- Scout Offensive Player of the Week
- Scout Defensive Player of the Week
- Scout Special Teams Player off the Week
- Hard Edge Player of the Week
- Student Player off the Week
Postseason games
Senior Bowl
All Star Game
Media
Radio
- ESPN Radio – ESPN Tucson
- KCUB 1290 AM Tucson – Football Radio Show
- KHYT 107.5 FM Tucson
- KTKT 990 AM Tucson (Spanish) – La Hora de Los Gatos
- KGME 910 AM Phoenix (Arizona IMG Sports Network)
- KTAN 1420 AM Sierra Vista
- KDAP 96.5 FM Douglas, Arizona
- KWRQ 102.3 FM Safford, Arizona/Thatcher, Arizona
- KIKO 1340 AM Globe, Arizona
- KVWM 970 AM Show Low, Arizona/Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona
- XENY 760 Nogales, Sonora (Spanish)
Media Affiliates - TV
- Fox Sports 1
- Fox Sports
- KOLD-TV Tucson
- KVOA Tucson
- KMSB Tucson
- KWBA Tucson
- KGUN Tucson
- Comcast Channel 17
- Pac-12 Network
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU
- ABC
NFL Draft
The following members of 2017 Arizona Wildcats football team were selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Combine
2018 NFL Combine Participants | ||||||||||||||
# | Name | POS | HT | WT | Arms | Hands | 40 | Bench Press | Vert Jump | Broad Jump | 3 Cone Drill | 20-yd Shuttle | 60-yd Shuttle | Ref |
† Top performer
References
- ↑ "Coaches". University of Arizona Athletics. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
- ↑ "2017 Arizona Wildcats Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved December 29, 2014.