蜜柚直播

Congratulations! You鈥檝e made it to the end of our countdown of the 10 most valuable 蜜柚直播 Wildcats of 2018 鈥� other than听Khalil Tate.

This list is a rarity when it comes to UA football 鈥� a Tate-free zone. Had we included him, there would have been no suspense this week.

If you鈥檝e been following along, you probably know who our pick for No. 1 is anyway. But please feel free to disagree, about the top selection or any of the previous nine. Every entry can be accessed from this post. Let us know your thoughts.

Before we go any further, two quick reminders:

• 鈥淢ost valuable鈥� does not necessarily mean 鈥渂est.鈥� Rather, we鈥檙e defining it as the contributions and traits that most influence winning football. They include talent, leadership and projected role and production.
• Newcomers were not eligible. Even though freshmen played a huge role on last year鈥檚 team, it鈥檚 just too hard to predict who will have an immediate impact before training camp gets underway.

And now, we commence the countdown:

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-5, 302, redshirt senior

Comment: We might find out just how valuable Friekh is in the first two weeks of the season.

Friekh must sit out the BYU and Houston games after听essentially cutting a deal with the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility. As a result, the Wildcats will be without the player who鈥檚 probably their most reliable lineman.

We know Houston 鈥� featuring defensive tackle听Ed Oliver, who could end up as the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL draft 鈥� will present a stiff challenge. But don鈥檛 overlook BYU just because the Cougars went 4-9 last year.

Most of BYU鈥檚 problems in 2017 emanated from the offensive side of the ball. The Cougars ranked in the bottom 12 in the nation in total offense and scoring.

Meanwhile, BYU ranked in the top 51 in total defense and points allowed 鈥� a nifty feat given how little help the offense provided.

In its 2018 BYU preview, ranked defensive ends DE Sione Takitaki and Corbin Kaufusi as the Cougars’ best defensive players. The two combined for 11 sacks and 20 total tackles for losses last season.

You鈥檇 like to have a seasoned left tackle for a matchup like that. In lieu of Friekh, the starter could be the still somewhat mysterious听Tshiyombu Lukusa, a redshirt sophomore who hasn鈥檛 played since 2016, or perhaps veteran听Cody Creason, a part-time starter at right tackle last year.

Friekh enters 2018 with 34 career starts, including every game the past two seasons. His streak of 33 straight starts will end when he has to sit out Weeks 1 and 2.

It鈥檚 a suboptimal situation for an offensive line that鈥檚 in a state of flux. The only other returning full-time starter is center听Nathan Eldridge. It always takes time for offensive lines to gel, and Friekh having to sit out the first two games will only delay that process.

The good news: He鈥檒l be back for Week 3 against Southern Utah, giving him a game to get acclimated 鈥� and for the line to take its true form 鈥� before the Pac-12 opener at Oregon State. Even better, Friekh & Co. will have those two games to prepare for their biggest test: USC on Sept. 29.

Friekh is one of those steady players whom you don鈥檛 notice all that often because he generally does his job and does it well. But you鈥檒l notice his absence 鈥� and appreciate his value 鈥� if Tate is running for his life against BYU and Houston.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-2, 296, redshirt senior

Comment: Interior defensive linemen aren鈥檛 the stars in听Marcel Yates鈥� defense. For the most part, they do the dirty work, enabling others to make plays.

Boles produced last season despite that structure. He recorded 42 tackles 鈥� easily the most among interior linemen 鈥� including 1.5 for losses. He also broke up two passes.

Those numbers won鈥檛 earn you a spot on the All-Pac-12 team. But they'll earn you the respect of your teammates. The blue-collar efforts of Boles, among others, enabled听Colin Schooler,听Tony Fields II听补苍诲听Kylan Wilborn听to earn national all-freshman accolades.

There鈥檚 great value in that. As the leader of the interior linemen, Boles merits a spot in our top 10 for 2018.

It should be a beefed-up group this year. Junior-college transfer听PJ Johnson听was running with the ones in the spring game 鈥� alongside Boles, who had to exit early because of what appeared to be a minor leg injury.

Johnson is listed at well over 300 pounds, as are freshman听Mykee Irving听and now-healthy redshirt junior听Sione Taufahema. Another redshirt junior,听Finton Connolly, also has bulked up.

Boles relies more on quickness than raw power. As such, he鈥檚 an ideal complement to the 300-plus-pounders who are now prevalent in the D-line room.

蜜柚直播 should have better depth inside than in recent years; in addition to the aforementioned players,听Kurtis Brown听enters Year 2 after a promising freshman campaign.

But besides Connolly 鈥� who has played a lot but has only one career start 鈥� most of the interior defensive linemen are relatively unproven. Taufahema was supposed to make an impact last year but missed the season because of a knee injury. Johnson clearly impressed the coaches in spring, but his next Division I snap will be his first.

Boles has ample experience. He began his career at Boise State and appeared in all 13 games last season, his first at 蜜柚直播, including 12 starts. That鈥檚 26 appearances in all in FBS games.

蜜柚直播 has only eight scholarship seniors on its current roster, nine if you include grad-transfer punter听Dylan Klumph. Only three of them play defense: Boles and defensive backs听Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles听补苍诲听Jace Whittaker.

Boles arrived relatively late last summer. He quickly went from newcomer to starter.

The next step is to become a team leader. Lining up in the middle of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 defense, Boles is perfectly positioned to assume that role.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-2, 205, senior

Comment: The numbers Flannigan-Fowles has compiled over the past two seasons suggest he should rank higher.

Flannigan-Fowles has 159 tackles, including four for losses; 14 pass breakups; five interceptions; and two fumble recoveries. He has been one of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 most productive defensive players, and he enters this season as one of the Wildcats鈥� most experienced returning starters.

So why isn鈥檛 Flannigan-Fowles higher?

As the 蜜柚直播an readily would concede, he did not finish last season as strongly as he started it. Flannigan-Fowles had all three of his interceptions in the first two weeks and wasn鈥檛 involved in a takeaway over the final seven games.

In December, Flannigan-Fowles described his performance as 鈥渉ot and cold.鈥� Defensive coordinator听Marcel Yates听use the same phrase.

Given additional time for self-assessment, Flannigan-Fowles reached this conclusion in April:

鈥淚 feel like I just need to be more to be more relaxed. I feel like got a little too tense. I don鈥檛 need to chase or rush. Just let it come to me. Just relax a little more and make the plays I know I鈥檓 capable of making.鈥�

The thoughtfulness of that analysis should tell you a lot about Flannigan-Fowles: He鈥檚 one of the most conscientious players on the team 鈥� one who will put in the work to better himself.

Flannigan-Fowles knows he鈥檚 capable of more after plateauing last season, and he seems determined to finish his UA career with a flourish. In an interview toward the end of spring practice in April,听John Rushing听dubbed Flannigan-Fowles 鈥渢he lead guy back there鈥� and an invaluable liaison between the safeties and Rushing, their new coach.

Flannigan-Fowles is the lone senior in the group and the only returning starter among the safeties 鈥� unless the suspended听Scottie Young Jr. is reinstated.

If he is, that could create a logjam at free safety, where听Jarrius Wallace听stated his case to start听in the spring game听and former starter听Isaiah Hayes听is coming back from injury. One of those players conceivably could be shifted to 鈥淏andit鈥� to join听Chacho Ulloa听in pushing Flannigan-Fowles.

The expectation here is that Flannigan-Fowles will hold off all challengers and make his final season at 蜜柚直播 his best. He has the physical traits and mental makeup to excel, and he鈥檚 entering his third year in Yates鈥� scheme.

Flannigan-Fowles needs to become a more consistent tackler in space, and he needs to do a better job of locating the ball when he鈥檚 chasing a receiver (as opposed to when he鈥檚 in a center-field position and the play is in front of him).

If he can do those things 鈥� and you know he鈥檚 working on them this offseason 鈥� Flannigan-Fowles can deliver more impact plays and boost his value even further.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 5-10, 177, senior

Comment: Like the other player who wears uniform No. 6 for the Wildcats, safety听Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, it feels like Brown ought to rank a little higher on our MVP list. After all, Brown led 蜜柚直播 in catches and touchdown receptions last season. Additionally, he returned two punts for scores. Only Tate and tailback听Zach Green听scored more TDs than Brown.

The hesitancy to place Brown in, say, the top five stems from some uncertainty about his role in the offense. Will he continue to be the top target for Tate? Or will someone else 鈥� such as fellow receiver听Shawn Poindexter听鈥� seize that opportunity?

Poindexter just missed the cut for our top 10 after finishing last season strong and starring in听the spring game. He also is one of seven players depicted in this year鈥檚听, for whatever that鈥檚 worth.

It鈥檚 not inconceivable that Brown, Poindexter and听Tony Ellison听all end up with about the same number of receptions. There鈥檚 no clear-cut go-to guy in that group, a la听Christian Kirk.

Playing for听Kevin Sumlin听补苍诲听Noel Mazzone, Kirk led Texas A&M in catches (71), yards (919) and TD receptions (10) last season. What鈥檚 interesting to note about Kirk is that his dimensions (5-11, 200) are closer to Brown鈥檚 than Poindexter鈥檚 (6-5, 212). Kirk also played primarily out of the slot; he was lined up inside for 67 of his 71 catches,听.

(In discussing the top traits he鈥檚 seeking in听outside receivers听this spring, position coach听Taylor Mazzone听cited speed first, size second. Brown primarily is working with the inside receivers under听Theron Aych, but it was a telling comment coming from the son of the offensive coordinator.)

So there is a path for Brown to thrive in the Sumlin/Mazzone offense, even if Poindexter plays a bigger role (and if running backs catch significantly more passes, which is a virtual certainty based on Mazzone鈥檚 track record and what we saw in open spring practices).

Despite his relatively slight frame, Brown is a strong runner after the catch. He鈥檚 also fast enough to get behind the defense (a task admittedly made easier when opposing safeties surge toward the line of scrimmage to try to thwart Tate in the zone-read game).

Brown provides added value as a returner. As mentioned, he returned two punts for scores last year. As UA fans know,听he should have had three.

Although the NCAA has made a concerted effort to听cut down on kickoff returns, no such legislation has been passed (or even suggested) to suppress punt returns. Skilled punters and smart special-teams coaches try to keep those opportunities to a minimum when the returner is as dangerous as Brown. But he showed last season that he can go long even when given just a handful of pitches to hit (17 total returns).

Brown鈥檚 playmaking ability as a receiver and returner, his smarts and his experience make him a clear choice for our top 10. His exact role in the offense will determine how high he ultimately ascends.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-3, 297, redshirt junior

Comment: Eldridge has started every game the past two seasons 鈥� 25 straight 鈥� since being thrust into the lineup in August 2016 under听tragic circumstances.

He faced a steep learning curve in 鈥�16. He improved in 鈥�17. He enters 鈥�18 as one of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 most reliable returning veterans.

Yet there鈥檚 also an air of uncertainty surrounding Eldridge.

The Wildcats held two open scrimmages during spring practice. Eldridge did not participate in either of them.

The reason given for Eldridge鈥檚 absence, per a team source, basically amounted to veteran maintenance. Eldridge just so happens to have one of those bodies that requires extra management to ensure he鈥檚 ready for the rigors of a long, physically taxing season.

Eldridge was spotted exiting the practice field and/or locker room a handful of times. Invariably, he had ice packs on his knees. That isn鈥檛 unusual.

Is Eldridge鈥檚 health a genuine cause for concern? Probably not. Is it at least a little bit worrisome? Maybe.

With their offensive line already in a state of flux, not having Eldridge for any period of time is the last thing the Wildcats need. He is one of only two returning full-time starters up front, and the other one, left tackle听Layth Friekh, must sit out the first two games听because of an NCAA ruling.

Although he had a full season of starts on his r茅sum茅, Eldridge was hardly 蜜柚直播鈥檚 most seasoned lineman last year. He had two experienced, intelligent upperclassmen flanking him at all times:听Jacob Alsadek听to his right and听Christian Boettcher听to his left.

Now Eldridge is the one who has to play that leadership role. The first-team guards in the open practices were听Michael Eletise听补苍诲听Bryson Cain. Both will be redshirt sophomores this season. Neither has started a college game.

The primary fill-in for Eldridge in those scrimmages was redshirt junior听Alex Kosinski听鈥� who also doesn鈥檛 have any career starts. See where we鈥檙e (possibly) going here?

The Friekh situation will make putting together a 鈥渂est five鈥� that much more challenging. It becomes slightly easier if Eldridge is healthy and available.

Other interior alternatives include听Josh McCauley听补苍诲听Jon Jacobs, a couple of walk-ons who鈥檝e earned praise from the previous coaching staff and this one; JC transfer听Steven Bailey; and Texas A&M transfer听Robert Congel, if he鈥檚 deemed eligible for this season.

None of those options is as appealing, or reassuring, as a healthy Eldridge, who made huge strides with听the mental part of his game听last year. Eldridge鈥檚 acumen will be especially important this year with a new offensive system in place. Everyone will be learning on the fly.

For the Wildcats to be all they can be 鈥� and for Tate to be all he can be 鈥� the offensive line must come together. And it must come together quickly. As we all know, Houston 鈥� featuring supreme interior disruptor听Ed Oliver听鈥� is looming in Week 2.

No position plays a bigger role in that gelling process than center. As such, no player matters more than Eldridge.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-1, 225, sophomore

Comment: From the moment spring practice began in 2017, Fields was the first name anyone mentioned when asked about newcomers making an immediate impact.

We鈥檝e all been fooled by spring stars before. Fields lived up to the hype, and then some.

Fields started every game at 鈥淲ill鈥� linebacker as a true freshman and led the Wildcats with 104 tackles. He had 7.5 stops for losses, including five sacks, and an interception.

Fields had an immediate and significant impact. He quickly established himself as one of the defense鈥檚 best and most vocal players. Win or lose, he made himself available to the media after games. That鈥檚 a promising sign for a budding leader.

But Fields spoke loudest on the field, fearlessly flying around and hurling his body into bigger blockers and ball-carriers. He was credited with double-digit tackles seven times, including a career-high 13 鈥� all solos 鈥斕�in the season-ending Foster Farms Bowl against Purdue.

Which isn鈥檛 to say Fields was flawless. Although willing to mix it up in congested areas, he sometimes got engulfed by the 300-pound linemen assigned to smother him. Fields also did not produce quite as many big plays 鈥� i.e., takeaways 鈥� as some of his teammates. (Spoiler alert: Fields鈥� uber-productive classmate and fellow linebacker听Colin Schooler听will appear somewhere in the top four.)

So there鈥檚 room for growth, which is to be expected. Fields should be much stronger as a sophomore, and he should be more adept at using his hands, leverage and angles to fend off blockers. That鈥檚 part of the adjustment process for players when they move from high school to college, where, in most cases, they鈥檙e no longer the fastest or most powerful guy on the field.

Fields should be smarter too, having had a full season 鈥� and a full offseason 鈥� to absorb听Marcel Yates鈥� scheme. It would behoove Yates, and benefit the defense, to give Fields a breather every now and then; he and Schooler probably played more snaps than they should have as freshmen.听Anthony Pandy鈥檚 development and听Troy Young鈥檚 move from safety to 鈥淲ill鈥� offer Yates, who鈥檚 now coaching the linebackers, two viable alternatives.

But make no mistake: For the UA defense to make the jump many believe it is capable of, Fields must play a central role. He must continue to be an effective blitzer, improve against the run and add coverage skills to his toolbox.

Few players on the 蜜柚直播 roster are capable of all three. The ascending Fields is one of them.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-2, 245, sophomore

Comment: Entering last season, Wilborn wasn鈥檛 among 蜜柚直播鈥檚 most heralded incoming freshmen. You could argue he wasn鈥檛 even close.

狈别颈迟丑别谤听听苍辞谤听听ranked Wilborn in the top half of the Wildcats鈥� 2017 class. He proved everybody wrong.

Starting every game and playing an inordinate number of snaps, Wilborn led 蜜柚直播 with 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. The latter led the Pac-12 and was one more than the rest of the Wildcats combined to produce.

Given Wilborn鈥檚 propensity to make impact plays 鈥� and the likelihood that he鈥檒l be even better as a sophomore 鈥� you might wonder why he鈥檚 only No. 4 on our countdown.

Here鈥檚 the crux of the argument: If 蜜柚直播鈥檚 pass rush improves as much as hoped, Wilborn shouldn鈥檛 have to carry as big a burden. He still would be the main guy, but he no longer would be the听only听驳耻测.

Developing more pass rushers is something that has to happen. The defense as a whole needs it. Wilborn needs it.

As superb as he was last season, Wilborn wore down as the year progressed. He accumulated seven tackles for losses, five sacks and three forced fumbles in the first six games, including听a night for the ages against UCLA. The numbers were 2.5, 2.5 and one over the final seven games.

Much of the falloff was a result of injuries. Wilborn suffered a sprained ankle 鈥� a killer for a pass rusher 鈥� against Cal one week after the UCLA game. He missed most of the Foster Farms Bowl because of a shoulder injury (which also limited him in spring practice).

In part because veteran听DeAndre鈥� Miller听had his own injury issues 鈥� and in part because there weren鈥檛 many viable alternatives 鈥� Wilborn probably played too many snaps. He took a pounding.

It鈥檚 also reasonable to assume that Wilborn drew more attention from opposing offensive coordinators after the UCLA game, in which he became the first Wildcat to record four sacks in a game in 20 years.

Wilborn can鈥檛 continue to be the only player in the front four to deliver a consistent rush. He won鈥檛 be if听Justin Belknap听continues to improve, if听Jalen Harris鈥� flashes turn into real production and if freshman听Nahe Salunga听lives听up to his advance billing. ((Another defensive lineman,听Adam Plant, won't play for the Wildcats.)

Heck, if only one of those things happens, it will alleviate the pressure on Wilborn to apply pressure.

Regardless of whether others step up, expectations will be sky-high for Wilborn in Year 2. That鈥檒l be a different experience, but one Wilborn should be able to handle. Teammates regularly praise his motor. He won鈥檛 forget what got him here.

A season with double-digit sacks isn鈥檛 out of the question. That would cement Wilborn鈥檚 place among 蜜柚直播鈥檚 most valuable players.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 5-6, 180, redshirt sophomore

Comment: A year ago,听we ranked Taylor No. 1听in our projection of the most valuable Wildcats of 2017. He had flashed tantalizing potential the previous year before an injury cut his season short. With the Cats鈥� QB situation uncertain, Taylor jumped to the front of the pack.

That obviously did not turn out to be the case. Tate emerged as a transcendent talent in October and lapped the field.

Which isn鈥檛 to say Taylor failed to do his part. He rushed for 847 yards, second on the team to Tate鈥檚 1,411, and scored seven touchdowns. It was enough to earn Taylor听co-Offensive Freshman of the Year recognition from the Pac-12.

(Taylor likely would have topped 900 yards if not for his ejection for 鈥渢argeting鈥澨�in the first quarter at Cal.)

Although 蜜柚直播 has the makings of a deep backfield, including rising sophomores Gary听Brightwell听补苍诲听Nathan Tilford, there鈥檚 reason to believe Taylor could surpass last year鈥檚 production.

Based on what we saw from Noel Mazzone鈥檚 offense in the spring,听and what we know about his history, Taylor will be utilized in a different way this season 鈥� a way that suits his skill set.

Tate and the other UA quarterbacks threw to the running backs frequently during open spring scrimmages 鈥� something that happened infrequently in听Rich Rodriguez鈥檚 offense. Even when Taylor was involved in the passing game last year, he seldom had room to catch-and-run. He averaged just 4.1 yards on 12 receptions 鈥� 1.7 fewer yards than his per-carry听mark 鈥� with a long of 16.

Mazzone鈥檚 pliable scheme aims to take advantage of what its personnel does best. The diminutive but elusive Taylor is a 鈥渟pace鈥� player. Mazzone will find ways to get him the ball in said space. That should lead to a significant spike in Taylor鈥檚 receiving totals, which will make him a more effective overall player.

If Taylor again rushes for 800-plus yards (a reasonable projection despite Tate鈥檚 presence and a changing backfield dynamic) and adds 400 receiving yards (maybe a reach, but not implausible), that likely would place him second behind Tate in total yards from scrimmage. Hence Taylor鈥檚 spot in our top three.

But wait, there鈥檚 more: The new coaching staff鈥檚 desire to make Tate more of a distributor 鈥� something he ought to be working toward anyway if he wants to play quarterback in the NFL someday 鈥� will lead to more touches for everyone. No one in the skill-position group is more dependable 鈥� yet dangerous at the same time 鈥� than the听studious, slippery Taylor.

How the carries will be divided among the tailbacks remains to be seen. But Taylor enters training camp with a sizable edge in experience and the type of well-rounded game position coach听Clarence McKinney听is seeking in his charges.

鈥淲e like for them to be a triple threat,鈥� McKinney said in spring. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e gotta be able to run the ball, of course. You鈥檝e gotta be able to protect for the quarterback. And you鈥檝e gotta be able to catch the ball out of the backfield.鈥�

Brightwell and Tilford are capable of doing all those things as well. But if they鈥檙e on equal footing, a notch below Taylor, they might cancel each other out in a sense. A 50/25/25 carry distribution is a logical forecast based on what we know now.

Taylor feels like a safe bet to retain his role as Tate鈥檚 No. 2 even as 蜜柚直播 transitions to a new offense. Expect Taylor to hold his value as well.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 5-11, 182, senior

Comment: Here鈥檚 the case for Jace 鈥�

First of all, he鈥檚 a very good college football player.

As a junior, Whittaker ranked among the Pac-12 leaders in passes defensed. He led 蜜柚直播 with 13 pass breakups and was tied for second with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also had two tackles for losses.

Pro Football Focus, the outfit that grades every individual player in the NFL and FBS, showed Whittaker a lot of love.听. Per PFF鈥檚 numbers, Whittaker had the sixth-lowest passer rating when targeted among conference cornerbacks entering bowl season.

Whittaker, like the Wildcats overall, got off to a shaky start in听the Foster Farms Bowl. He allowed two touchdowns in the first quarter.

But the veteran found his form thereafter and finished with an impressive stat line: 12 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and three pass breakups.

That鈥檚 one of the qualities that makes Whittaker so valuable: He possesses the mental toughness needed to play one of football鈥檚 most demanding positions 鈥� one where you鈥檙e often on your own, solely responsible for guarding your man.

Whittaker played through some sort of foot injury for most of the second half of the season. When he participated in a media interview after the bowl schedule was announced, Whittaker had a boot on his left foot. That was a regular look for him off the field. He didn鈥檛 miss any significant game time.

The injury occurred听Oct. 28 vs. Washington State. This is what Whittaker said about it in early December:

鈥淚鈥檝e gotta play. I believe in everything that the trainers are doing. They鈥檙e getting me right to keep playing. That鈥檚 the least of my worries. I鈥檝e been practicing. I鈥檒l be fine.鈥�

In addition to becoming a top player, Whittaker last season emerged as one of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 premier spokesmen and leaders. He has a feistiness and cockiness about him that are also perfectly suited for the position he plays.

Whittaker and senior safety听Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles听(No. 8 on our list) are the elder statesmen in an otherwise youthful secondary. None of the other听projected starters听is a senior; most of the others who are expected to be part of the rotation are sophomores or freshmen.

One other factor that gives Whittaker a boost is job security. Although fellow corner听Lorenzo Burns听approached 鈥� or, in the case of interceptions, exceeded 鈥� Whittaker鈥檚 numbers, Burns could be pushed by uber-athletic sophomore听Tony Wallace听(or perhaps freshmen听McKenzie Barnes听or听Jhevon Hill).

Barring injury, Whittaker is about as safe a bet as 蜜柚直播 has to keep his job and sustain his level of performance.听. Whittaker should be in line for all-conference honors again this season.

He isn鈥檛 the biggest or fastest corner, but Whittaker more than makes up for it with smarts and toughness. His consistency and production seal the deal: Whittaker is unquestionably one of the Wildcats鈥� most valuable players entering 2018.

Ht/Wt/Yr: 6-0, 226, sophomore

Comment: The quarterback of the defense gets the nod.

But Schooler鈥檚 role goes far beyond getting his teammates properly aligned. From the moment he started to get meaningful playing time, Schooler proved to be a playmaker.

Despite not becoming a starter until the Colorado game 鈥斕�a lot went down on that wild night in Boulder听鈥� Schooler led the Wildcats with 13.5 tackles for losses. No freshman in the country had more.

Schooler ranked second on the team in tackles with 95, including a team-best 67 solos. He also had four sacks, two interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown) and a forced fumble.

Besides all that,听Schooler made the game-winning play against Cal听鈥� a pass breakup in the end zone that didn鈥檛 count toward his stats because it occurred on a two-point conversion attempt.

Those numbers and accomplishments earned Schooler Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors, as well as numerous Freshman All-American accolades. If he continues to improve, he鈥檒l win even bigger awards.

Are we talking 2014 Scooby Wright?听It鈥檚 unfair to expect anyone to match that season. But it isn鈥檛 hard to envision an All-America campaign in Schooler鈥檚 future.

Perhaps because he used to be a running back,听Schooler simply possesses a knack for tracking down ball-carriers. His ability to read plays and anticipate where the ball is going is top notch and should only sharpen in time. It also stands to reason that Schooler will get stronger with a full offseason in the UA weight program.

Schooler would be the first to tell you that you can always get better. It鈥檚 hard to find fault with anything he did last year, but Schooler could stand to improve his conditioning. He looked a little fatigued at times, a byproduct of playing too many snaps. Then again, when you鈥檙e as productive as Schooler, it鈥檚 easy to understand why the coaches didn鈥檛 want to sub him out.

Schooler also wasn鈥檛 as vocal at the outset as then-linebackers coach听Scott Boone听wanted him to be. It鈥檚 not easy to take over when you鈥檙e a true freshman. Schooler should feel much more comfortable in that role as a sophomore. He鈥檒l be the on-field spokesman for defensive coordinator听Marcel Yates, who鈥檚 now coaching the linebackers.

Schooler isn鈥檛 quite on Tate鈥檚 level as far as irreplaceability, but Schooler isn鈥檛 far off. His projected backup is redshirt sophomore听Jacob Colacion, who played in all 13 games last season but has zero career starts.听Linebacker is among 蜜柚直播鈥檚 thinnest positions.

As long as Schooler stays healthy, the Wildcats should be fine. If he were to miss any extended action, they鈥檇 learn quickly just how valuable he is.

One more thing 鈥� a shout-out to the five players who barely missed the cut. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

• DE听Justin Belknap: A veteran leader who finished spring strong, Belknap just hasn鈥檛 had enough consistent production to crack the top 10.
• S听Tristan Cooper: The favorite to succeed听Dane Cruikshank听at the 鈥淪pur鈥� position, but Cooper will be pushed by youngsters.
• OG听Michael Eletise: His strength and upside are enormous, and he finally has a clear path to playing time, but he still must prove it on the field.
• K听Lucas Havrisik: He鈥檚 already great on kickoffs, he could take over the placekicking job and it wouldn鈥檛 be surprising if he鈥檚 a top-10 MVP candidate by season鈥檚 end.
• WR听Shawn Poindexter: A breakout star in the spring who could have a bigger role in听Noel Mazzone鈥檚 new offense, Poindexter just doesn鈥檛 have enough of a track record 鈥� yet.