OT Bryson Cain
Bryson Cain watched from afar as the Wildcats went through an up-and-down season in 2015, in something of a rebuilding year, and he understood what Arizona was going through.
A senior at Great Oak High School in Temecula, Calif., Cain dealt with a rebuilding season of his own this past year.
Like Arizona, his team won 10 games in 2014, going 10-3, and then fell back down to earth in 2015 when his team went 5-6, five of those losses by double digits.
It wasn’t easy to deal with, certainly, but Cain kind of saw it coming.
“It was different,” Cain said. “I knew it was coming, to be honest, because of how many seniors we lost — we lost our whole offense.”
In fact, Cain was the only offensive lineman left from that 10-win season in 2014. Plus, some coaching changes didn’t make things any easier.
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“I just knew this year was going to be the kind of year where it’s starting to rebuild,” Cain said. “I think they’ll be fine in the next couple of years.”
Now, the 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound offensive lineman is eager to get his college career started. He trains nearly every day — he takes Sundays off — as he tries to bulk up and build the strength needed to compete at the collegiate level. He’s one of two offensive linemen coming in Arizona’s 2016 class, plus two leftover offensive linemen who grayshirted from the 2015 class. So the competition will be fierce, and Cain says is ready for it.
“I’m so looking forward to it,” Cain said, “because I’ve always loved old-school competition.”
Here’s a closer look at Cain’s path to the UA.
The file: Offensive lineman, 6 feet 4, 270 pounds. From Great Oak HS (Temecula, Calif.)
Recruiting trail: Cain had 11 offers leading up to when he made his decision in August, but had narrowed it down to three — Arizona, Army and Washington State. He told Scout.com at the time that he loved Washington State’s facilities and how Pullman was a “secluded college town,” and with Arizona he felt comfortable with the team and had developed a good relationship with UA offensive line coach Jim Michalczik. Ultimately, he picked Arizona, announcing on Aug. 24.
The numbers: As a senior, he helped Great Oak rush for an average of 170 yards per game with eight touchdowns. In 2014, the Wolfpack rushed for 211.4 yards per game and 33 TDs.
He said it: “I’m probably going to stay at offensive line. I’ll be happy with wherever they put me. It’s all the same to me except center, but I’d play center.” — Cain
