Do the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats have a “one-man defenseâ€? An opposing coach in the Pac-12 apparently thinks so.
In its annual feature anonymously about their conference foes, an opposing coach trashed the UA defense:
"Offense will not be a problem there. They’re going to make a lot of us in this league look bad. But measure that against their one-man defense, and you see why (Khalil) Tate can only do so much."
The one man presumably is sophomore “Stud†Kylan Wilborn, who is praised earlier in the piece:
"I thought Kylan Wilborn was one of the best defensive players in our league last year. He kind of came out of nowhere. Those are the best kind of recruits. You see the potential, and then it develops into something completely out of the ordinary.
“He’s not the biggest guy. But he’s got such a quick first step, he’s hard to block. They better get some help for him, because they couldn’t tackle anyone last year. It was YAC (yards after catch/contact) for days last year against them."
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It’s unclear whether one coach or multiple coaches is making these comments. Regardless, they show little — if any — respect for the rest of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s defense.
While Wilborn had an excellent season — including a team-best 7.5 sacks and a league-best four forced fumbles — it was his classmate, linebacker Colin Schooler, who earned Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.
Another freshman linebacker, Tony Fields II, led the team with 104 tackles and ranked second behind Wilborn with five sacks. Schooler and Fields made several Freshman All-America teams.
Cornerbacks Lorenzo Burns and Jace Whittaker combined for eight interceptions and 20 pass breakups. Whittaker, in particular, is a favorite in the analytics community.
Jace Whittaker returns as the highest graded Wildcat this fall
— PFF College (@PFF_College)
We could go on and on here. The point is, even though ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s defense struggled at times last year, it’s unfair — and inaccurate — to label the unit a one-man band.
See how ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s scholarship offer letters stack up against other schools
NCAA 'dead period' and those fancy scholarship offers
NCAA's "dead period" doesn't keep Kevin Sumlin and company from the recruiting grind.
The NCAA's "dead period" for college football began Aug. 1, and schools at midnight started sending out official scholarship offers to recruits in the 2019 class.
Eleven high school seniors already have committed to Kevin Sumlin's first full recruiting class at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, including four from the long-forgotten state of Texas and two from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Those commits should continue to roll in for Sumlin and company leading up to the Dec. 20-22 early signing period, when recruits can officially sign national letters of intent.
The current "dead period" runs through Aug. 31. Per :
- During a dead period, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.Â
During an "evaluation period," like that one that runs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 24, the NCAA permits college coaches to watch recruits and student-athletes play, including at their high schools. A coach cannot meet face-to-face with a student-athlete unless on the college campus — often during an official visit.
The "dead period" allows coaches to contact college-bound players remotely. Pac-12 schools and top programs across the country take advantage by sending out official scholarship offers, and recruits are giving us an up-close look on social media.
To be clear, an official scholarship offer does not mean a recruit has committed or will commit to a specific college. Though several student-athletes who received official offers Aug. 1 have already committed.
Here are some of the official offer graphics and letters schools are sending players:
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats
EraZona with the official offer!
— Isaiah Spiller (@isaiah_spiller)
ðŸ»ðŸ‘‡ðŸ¾,🤠ðŸ´,🔴ðŸ±âšªï¸ have made it official it’s so satisfying to know my dedication and time that I put into the game is paying off
— Nassir sims (@Nassir_sims)
Congratulations again to Jordan Morgan on his official offer letter from the UofA! COMMITTED! | ðŸ¯
— Marana Tiger Football (@MaranaFB)
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State
Official OfferðŸ™ðŸ½ I’m ALL IN & 1000% Committed 🔱
— NM9â„¢ (@nolan_matthews)
Cal Golden Bears
Blessed official offerðŸ™ðŸ¾ðŸ™ðŸ¾
— 1ï¸âƒ£Way Ray (@Raymoney333)
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado Official offer
— David Gbenda (@d_aavviidd)
Oregon Ducks
I am so grateful to announce I have received an offer from the University of Oregon!! Thank you to the Oregon staff and everyone for the offer. But I am still 100% fully Committed to the University of Washington!
— Timothy Horn (@the_timhorn)
Blessed To Receive My Official Offer From Oregon 🦆
— ishmael sopsher (@isopsher)
Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State official offer!!!
— dos (@keonteglinton)
Stanford Cardinal
It’s official🌲🌹
— Stephen Jr. (@stephenherron_)
UCLA Bruins
Great way to get the morning started! 1 of 50! ðŸ»ðŸ’›ðŸ’™
— Beau Taylor (@BeauTaylor9)
It’s Official😎 💛ðŸ»ðŸ’™
— Chase Griffin (@ChaseQB11)
USC Trojans
Official ✌ðŸ¾â¤ï¸ðÁ¶›
— Ralen Goforth (@rgofficial_10)
Utah Utes
Blessed beyond measures!ðŸ™ðŸ¾ ... Thank you!!🔴⚪ï¸
— Khatib K. Lyles (@khatiblyles)
Washington Huskies
³Û±ð²õ²õ¾±°ù‼ï¸â˜”ï¸ðŸ¶ñ
— Noa Ngalu (@NNgalu52)
Washington State Cougars
Blessed to receive my official offer from Washington State🔴⚪ï¸
— Bryce Beekman (@BeekmanBryce)
Stay up to date with the future of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats football.Â
