The Arizona Wildcats are set to begin training camp Thursday. To get you ready, we’re examining each position between now and then. Special teams (kicking specialists, specifically) represent the final installment. You can find links to all the previous entries at the bottom of this post.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Returning starters: N/A
Also returning: RS FR Matt Aragon (P), RS SO Jake Glatting (P), RS SO Josh Pollack (K/P)
Newcomer(s): JR Edgar Gastelum (K/P)
Burning question: Can Josh Pollack handle the kicking and punting duties if necessary?
He certainly can. And he very well might. It’s just a sub-optimal situation if it comes to that.
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There’s a reason few FBS teams, if any, use one specialist for the three primary kicking roles: placements, punting and kicking off. Multiple reasons, actually.
The biggest deterrent is wear and tear. Specialists don’t take hits like other players. But to maximize distance and accuracy, you want their legs to be as fresh as possible. Performing triple duty works against that premise.
The second-biggest factor is that each kicking discipline has its own set of mechanics. So having to adjust to all three makes it that much more difficult to master one.
Unfortunately, Pollack was deemed Arizona’s best kicker and punter at the end of spring. That's a positive development for him – but not necessarily what’s best for the team.
It’s possible Aragon or Glatting will claim the punting job in training camp, freeing Pollack to focus on placements and/or kickoffs. The Wildcats also will add junior-college transfer Gastelum to the mix. He was not listed on the roster on the UA’s official athletic website as of this morning, but I'm told he will be reporting for camp today and could, at the very least, handle kickoffs. That would help.
Rich Rodriguez isn’t seeking superstar specialists (although that would be nice). He’s just looking for reliability. He doesn’t want to have to worry about the kicking game, because he has plenty of other stuff to worry about.
(Examples: The quarterback situation … the entire defense … how to deflect my injury questions after practice.)
Drew Riggleman and Casey Skowron afforded Rodriguez that luxury last season. They did their jobs consistently well – so well, in fact, that special teams became one of the Wildcats’ strengths.
That should be the case again this year – if RichRod and special-teams coach Charlie Ragle can figure out the kicking situation. Top returners Nate Phillips and Tyrell Johnson are back. Rodriguez also believes Arizona will have more athletes to cover kicks, if for no other reason than improved team-wide health.
ARIZONA TRAINING-CAMP PREVIEW
