Coach Kevin Sumlin says the team will work out in shorts and helmets the next two days before going to full gear Thursday. The coaches threw a lot at the players during the first practice Monday. “It was happening fast,” Sumlin said.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
The Kevin Sumlin era began Monday evening as the Arizona Wildcats kicked off its start to the spring practice schedule.
The Cats didn't have full contact drills and practiced in shorts and helmets, no shoulder pads.
Sumlin said after practice that he's giving every player on Arizona a "clean slate." Unfortunately for quarterback and Heisman hopeful Khalil Tate, that includes him. After a breakthrough season in 2017 contributing 3,000 all-purpose yards, Tate established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in college football.
Sumlin won't watch any tape of Tate's last season, or anyone for that matter. As of now, Tate is the starting quarterback and that won't change any time soon. As for the rest of the positions, the Wildcats return eight starters on defense, and defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, who was one of two members from last year's staff to stay on board along with wide receivers coach Theron Aych.
There wasn't much to take away from Arizona's first practice, because after all, it is the first of many practices under a first-year head coach. Sumlin spoke to the media after practice, here's what he had to say.
