BearDownU - The #1 Arizona Wildcats Sports Source!

(https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/guEy_HXfc8MMiiE7BYm4Dzvo6Nw=/0x0:4608x2592/1600x900/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51910435/SAM_3778.0.jpeg)

Arizona Defense News & Notes

* Rodriguez gave the nod to the defense, which now has a 2-1 edge through three practices. He said the unit "overwhelmingly won" on third downs. That's a great sign for a unit that frankly was awful on third downs last year (52.6 percent allowed, second worst in the nation).


* Asked what defensive backs have impressed him the most so far, Peterson cited starters Dane Cruikshank, Jace Whittaker and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles – as well as freshman safeties Scottie Young Jr. and Troy Young.


* A sleeper to watch out for among Arizona's edge rushers: sophomore Lee Anderson III, a converted linebacker. The coaches are looking for four players to rotate at defensive end and "Stud."


* Among the freshmen at those spots, Jalen Harris and Kylan Wilborn have stood out the most so far, position coach Brian Knorr said.


* Senior defensive lineman Parker Zellers said freshman defensive tackle Kurtis Brown has displayed some surprisingly advanced moves and techniques so far.


* Defensive end Jack Banda has had some big games for Arizona (Colorado 2015, Washington 2016) but is seeking to become more consistent as a senior.


* According to Knorr, who also coaches special teams, Arizona is grading every special-teams rep, even in walk-throughs, and is charting every aspect of every kick and punt.


* Arizona sophomore safety Tristan Cooper said the Wildcats are much better at disguising coverages in Year 2 under defensive coordinator Marcel Yates.


* Cooper is confident Arizona will be a much-improved team this year. "Everybody knows we've got to prove something," he said. "Everybody knows we're gonna prove something."


* Add Cooper to the list of Wildcats heaping praise on linebacker Tony Fields II, who seems destined for a meaty role as a freshman.

The defense will improve and most importantly our special teams will be so much better.

http://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/football/arizona-wildcats-hope-copying-national-champ-clemson-will-give-their/article_d01c14ae-f49c-51f8-a10b-6c789cb5d97c.html