蜜柚直播

When 蜜柚直播 kicks off the 2021 season against BYU on Saturday, 700 days will have passed since the Wildcats鈥� last victory. During that span, the program bottomed out. The last time we saw them play a real game, the Cats lost 70-7 to 蜜柚直播 State 鈥� their school-record 12th consecutive defeat.

Changes had to be made, and they were. Kevin Sumlin was fired after three seasons. Jedd Fisch was hired in late December. He immediately went to work reshaping the UA football front office, coaching staff and roster.

That work is ongoing, especially as it pertains to player personnel. Just this month, the UA added three players who could have a significant impact this year or in future years. It鈥檚 all part of an unrelenting effort to turn over the back end of the roster, improve depth, fill holes and upgrade the talent level across the board.

蜜柚直播 hit the NCAA transfer portal hard, bringing in 16 players with at least some college experience to try to accelerate the rebuilding process.

How much of a difference can they make in Year 1? Here鈥檚 a closer look at the 2021 UA roster:

Offense

蜜柚直播 will run a different offense under Fisch. It鈥檚 a true pro-style attack featuring the quarterback under center at times and extensive usage of the tight end.

The Wildcats will have a different quarterback as well. Or quarterbacks.

Gunner Cruz and Will Plummer will both play in the Wildcats鈥� Sept. 4 opener against BYU, with Cruz earning the nod for 蜜柚直播鈥檚 first drive. The two emerged from a three-way battle, edging South Florida transfer Jordan McCloud. Cruz came to 蜜柚直播 from Washington State, where he spent two seasons and appeared in one game. He attended Casteel High School in Queen Creek and offers ideal measurables (6-5, 227) and a strong arm. Holding the ball too long has been a problem at times during practice.

Plummer unexpectedly appeared in three games as a freshman last season, including one start, after Grant Gunnell was injured.

As much as Fisch would like to chuck the ball around, expect him to lean heavily on the ground game. 蜜柚直播 has a deep collection of capable running backs led by third-year sophomore Michael Wiley, who has added strength since averaging 7.1 yards on 31 carries last season. Wiley is expected to share time with transfer Drake Anderson, a speedy, shifty back runner who rushed for 926 yards in three seasons at Northwestern; and freshman Stevie Rocker Jr., the Canyon del Oro High School product who has impressed since enrolling in spring. Veteran Bam Smith and youngster Jalen John are also capable of stepping in and producing.

The wide receiver group lacks depth 鈥� especially with Jamarye Joiner still recovering from a foot injury and transfer Ma鈥檍on Wright ineligible for 2021 鈥� but has ample experience and ability. Stanley Berryhill III is poised for a breakout season after leading the team in receiving last year. BJ Casteel has a knack for making acrobatic catches. Speedster Tayvian Cunningham has been one of the most improved players on the team. Likewise Boobie Curry, a big-bodied former four-star recruit. Third-year sophomore Jalen Johnson, a size-speed threat who was suspended last season, might have the highest upside of the bunch.

After practically ignoring the position in recent seasons, 蜜柚直播 will utilize one to three tight ends on any given play depending on the situation. Reliable fifth-year senior Bryce Wolma 鈥� who caught 28 passes as a freshman and only half that many over the past three seasons 鈥� leads the group. Transfer Alex Lines, who played for tight ends coach Jordan Paopao at UNLV, will be a major contributor as well. Massive Stacey Marshall (6-5, 262) and converted wideout Zach Williams also will be part of the rotation.

Almost every offensive lineman from 2020 returns, although it鈥檚 unclear whether that鈥檚 a good thing. The line struggled throughout the shortened season, yielding a conference-high 18 sacks in five games. Sixth-year center Josh McCauley and versatile veteran Donovan Laie anchor the unit. Talented tackles Jordan Morgan and Paiton Fears need to be more consistent to keep edge defenders at bay.

Defense

The scheme will be vastly different on this side of the ball too. Don Brown replaces Paul Rhoads as defensive coordinator. Brown is ultra-aggressive, sending blitzers from all angles and frequently putting defensive backs in press-man coverage. 蜜柚直播 needs to create more negative plays after recording only two sacks in five games last season.

Defensive end Jalen Harris should be able to provide pressure off the edge. Harris was miscast last season as a drop linebacker and has had a terrific offseason. On the other side, JB Brown has returned after opting out last year. He had a strong spring, but he could be pushed by newcomer Mo Diallo, a transfer who made first-team all-MAC at Central Michigan last season.

Starting defensive tackles Kyon Barrs and Trevon Mason return to man the interior of the line. Barrs is a third-year sophomore who鈥檚 just starting to tap into his potential. Mason is a huge fifth-year senior (6-6, 305) who has totaled 64 tackles in 17 games as a Wildcat. Both players missed time in training camp because of lower-leg injuries. Transfer Leevel Tatum III made a push for playing time late in training camp.

蜜柚直播 has reconstructed its linebacking corps via the transfer portal. The Wildcats added five players 鈥� Treshaun Hayward (Western Michigan), Kenny Hebert (Vanderbilt), Rashie Hodge Jr. (New Mexico State), Malik Reed (Wisconsin) and Jerry Roberts (Bowling Green) 鈥� and all are expected to have roles. The leader of the group is returnee Anthony Pandy, who has amassed 130 tackles in 39 career games and had the Wildcats鈥� only two interceptions last season.

Don Brown utilizes multiple packages, and some include a position called the 鈥淰iper,鈥� which is a cross between a linebacker and a safety. Christian Young, who had been a safety, has fit that role perfectly. Another vet, Rourke Freeburg, supplies depth after totaling 21 tackles last season.

Third-year sophomore Christian Roland-Wallace and transfer Isaiah Rutherford 鈥� a former four-star recruit via Notre Dame 鈥� could form one of the top cornerback duos in the Pac-12. Roland-Wallace is strong and athletic, while Rutherford has displayed smooth cover skills since coming to 蜜柚直播. The staff is high on No. 3 cornerback Treydan Stukes, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship in August. Malik Hausman has found a role as the nickel corner.

Second-year freshman Jaydin Young, who also has earned a scholarship, will play extensively at safety and/or nickel. Jaxen Turner will try to build on a promising 2020 campaign (19 tackles in five games) but must show he can stay healthy. Yet another transfer, Gunner Maldonado, came on strong late in training camp, as did holdover Rhedi Short.

Special teams

Veteran kicker Lucas Havrisik has one of the strongest legs in the country and regularly ranks among the national leaders in touchback rate. He has been inconsistent on placements but made 6 of 7 field goal attempts last season and could be an all-conference performer if everything clicks.

Kyle Ostendorp had a slight edge on Tyler Loop for the punting job late in training camp. Ostendorp averaged 39.7 yards per punt as a freshman in 2019. Loop averaged 43.0 yards as a freshman last year.

Cunningham has big-time potential as a return specialist. He returned six kickoffs for touchdowns in junior college.