2016 Arizona Wildcats football team explained

Year:2016
Team:Arizona Wildcats
Sport:football
Uniform:File:Arizwildcats uniforms13.png
Conference:Pac-12 Conference
Division:South Division
Short Conf:Pac-12
Record:3–9
Conf Record:1–8
Head Coach:Rich Rodriguez
Hc Year:5th
Cooff Coach1:Calvin Magee
Cooc1 Year:5th
Cooff Coach2:Rod Smith
Cooc2 Year:5th
Def Coach:Marcel Yates
Dc Year:1st
Off Scheme:Spread option
Def Scheme:4–2–5
Stadium:Arizona Stadium

The 2016 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2016 season. The season was the Wildcats's 117th overall, 39th as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, and its sixth within the Pac-12 South Division. The team played their home games at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona for the 88th straight year. They were led by fifth-year head coach Rich Rodriguez. They finished the season 3–9, 1–8 in Pac-12 play to finish in last place in the South Division.

Preseason

Draft picks

The NFL Draft will take place from April 28 through 30, 2016 and will be hosted by the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, IL.[1] The two following members of 2015 Arizona Wildcats football team were selected in the 2016 NFL draft.

Player Position Round Pick Team
align=center =S align=center =6th align=center =No. 219 Denver Broncos
LB 7th No. 250 Cleveland Browns

Departures

The Wildcats would lose twenty-one senior football players to graduation as well as two junior football players (Junior linebacker and 2014 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Scooby Wright and unanimous first team All-American junior wide receiver Cayleb Jones) who would choose to forego their senior season in pursuit of an earlier NFL career. The Wildcats would lose six more players from the 2015 team due to various reasons (transfers and withdrawals will be filled out once spring practice occurs). Notable departures from the 2015 squad included.

Name Number Pos. Year Notes
  1. 1
WR RS junior foregoing for the senior season, declaring in the 2016 NFL draft, signed an undrafted free agent pick to the Philadelphia Eagles
  1. 33
LB Junior foregoing for the senior season, declaring in the 2016 NFL draft, to Cleveland Browns
Jerrard Randall
  1. 8
QB RS senior Graduated
David Richards
  1. 4
WR RS senior Graduated, signed an undrafted free agent pick to Atlanta Falcons
Johnny Jackson
  1. 30
WR RS senior Graduated
Jared Baker
  1. 23
RB RS senior Graduated, signed an undrafted free agent pick to Arizona Cardinals
Cayman Bundage
  1. 61
OL Senior Graduated
David Catalano
  1. 68
OL RS senior Graduated
Kaige Lawrence
  1. 75
OL RS senior Graduated
Lene Maiava
  1. 77
OL RS senior Graduated, signed an undrafted free agent pick to Seattle Seahawks
  1. 8
DL RS senior Graduated, signed an undrafted free agent pick to Green Bay Packers
Jeff Worthy
  1. 55
DL Senior Graduated
Antonio Smothers
  1. 4
LB Senior Graduated
Hayden Gregory
  1. 49
LB RS senior Graduated
Sir Thomas Jackson
  1. 53
LB RS senior Graduated
Jamar Allah
  1. 7
S RS senior Graduated
  1. 11
S RS senior Graduated, to Denver Broncos
Anthony Lopez
  1. 28
S RS senior Graduated
Trevor Niemann
  1. 38
S Senior Graduated
Casey Skoworn
  1. 41
PK RS senior Graduated
Drew Riggleman
  1. 39
K Senior Graduated
Jose Romero
  1. 54
LS RS senior Graduated
Griffin Goudreau
  1. 63
LS Senior Graduated
Sharif Williams
  1. 90
DL RS freshman Medically retired from the knee injury
Jonathan Haden
  1. 7
RB RS junior Transfer to TBA
T.D. Gross
  1. 90
OL RS senior Graduated
Kendal Franklin
  1. 43
LB RS freshman Dismissed, Transfer to McNeese State
Derrick Turituri
  1. 45
LB RS junior dismissed from the football program
Anthony Fotu
  1. 42
DL Senior dismissed from the football program

Transfers

In addition to the 2016 recruiting class, Arizona added two transfer football players in 2016 season. Linebacker Michael Barton transferred to Arizona in January from California. As a graduate transfer, Barton is immediately eligible to play in 2016, and he will have 1 year of his eligibility remaining. In 2011, Barton was a 4-star recruit out of De LaSalle High School in Concord, CA.

Wide receiver Zach Benjamin transferred to Arizona in May from Florida. Benjamin is immediately eligible to play in 2016, and he will have 2 years of eligibility remaining. In 2013, Benjamin was a 3-star recruit out of De LaSalle High School in Tampa, FL.

Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
sortnameMichael Barton 14 Linebacker 6'1" 186 RS senior transferred to Arizona in January from California. As a graduate transfer, Barton is immediately eligible to play in 2016 season, and he will have 1 year of eligibility remaining.
sortnameZach Benjamin 87 Wide receiver 6'1" 186 RS junior transferred to Arizona in May from South Florida, Benjamin is immediately eligible to play in 2016 season, and he will have 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Recruiting

Position key

BackBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDB
Defensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndE
FullbackFBGuardGHalfbackHBKickerK
Kickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLB
Long snapperLSPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQB
Running backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR

Arizona inked two junior college transfer players in February 2016, including 2-star walk-on safety Jalen Jenkins (Mesa CC) and 2-star wide receiver Shawn Poindexter (Glendale CC). All junior college transfers will enroll at Arizona in February 2016, participate in spring practice and be eligible to play in 2016.

Four freshmen signed financial aid agreements with Arizona in 2015 and will join with the junior college transfer as January 2016 enrollees. Financial aid agreements are binding on schools but non-binding on players. Early freshmen enrollees include 4-star offensive guard Michael Eletise (Kaiser) and 4-star quarterback Khalil Tate (Junipero Serra). Additionally, 4-star inside linebacker Kahi Neves (Brighton) expected to sign a financial aid agreement and enroll in January 2016.

National Signing Day is February 3, 2016. The incoming players listed below include the three junior college transfers that have signed binding letters of intent during the junior college transfer signing period, and the two incoming freshmen who have signed financial aid agreements to enroll in January 2016.

The Wildcats would go on to land another top 10 recruiting class in 2016 (#44 by Scout, #51 by Rivals, #45 by ESPN, and #43 by 247). The Wildcats has finish another top 10 in the Pac-12 recruitment class (#No. 9 by 247, Scout and ESPN, and #No.10 by Rivals)

2016 spring football practice

The 2016 Wildcats had spring practice from February 12, 2016, to March 25, 2016.

2016 returning missionaries

The returning missionaries will be filled in when national signing day occurs. Arizona had seven returning players on offense, five on defense and five on special teams that started games in 2015.

Offense

PlayerClassPosition
Anu Solomon (12)rsJrQB
Nick Wilson (28)JrRB
Tyrell Johnson (2)JrWR
Trey Griffey (5)rsSrWR
Nate Phillips (6)SrWR
Samajie Grant (10)SrWR
Layth Friekh (58)JrOL
Jacob Alsadek (78)rsJrOL
Freddie Tagaloa (72)rsSrOL

Defense

PlayerClassPosition
Tellas Jones (1)rsSrS
Cam Denson (3)JrCB
Devin Holiday (13)SrCB
DaVonte' Neal (19)rsSrCB
Jarvis McCall Jr. (29)rsJrCB
Jake Matthews (47)SrLB
Cody Ippolito (57)rsJrLB
Parker Zellers (93)rsJrDL
Calvin Allen (94)rsJrDL

Special teams

PlayerClassPosition
Josh Pollack (9)JrPK
Matt Aargon (26)SRP
Nick Reinhardt (56)rsSOLS

† Indicates player was a starter in 2015 but missed all of 2016 due to injury.

Fall camp

Pac-12 media days are set for July 14–15 in Hollywood, California. Prior to media days, The Wildcats were also picked by the Pac-12 media to finish fourth at South Division in the conference standings and received 87 first place votes, with the remainder going to top-picked UCLA in the South Division.

Fall camp is scheduled for August.

Personnel

Coaching staff

2016 Arizona Wildcats coaches
Head coach

Assistant coaches

Coaching staff sources: ArizonaWildcats.com[2]

Coaching changes

Roster

Depth chart

Depth Chart Source: 2016 Arizona Wildcats Football Fact Book[4]

Injury report

Player Position Status Injury Date of Injury Date of Return (Anticipated)
Matt Morin TE-H Out Foot Sept. 1st Sept. 8 [5]
Tony Ellison WR Out Knee Sept. 1st TBA
Anu Solomon QB Questionable Knee Sept. 8 TBA [6] [7]
Tellas Jones S Questionable Ankle Sept. 8 TBA
Jacob Colacion DL Out Knee TBA TBA
Keenan Walker OL Out Knee TBA TBA
Brion Anduze TE Out Knee TBA 2017
Sammy Morrison CB Questionable Undisclosed injury TBA TBA
Cody Ippolito LB Questionable Suspension TBA TBA
Nate Phillips WR Questionable Undisclosed injury Sept 3 Sept 17
Jamardre Cobb TE-FB Out Knee Sept 15 TBA

Regular season

Schedule

Arizona announced its 2016 football schedule on November 24, 2015. The 2016 schedule consists of 7 home, 4 away, and 1 neutral site game in the regular season. Arizona will face all five Southern Division opponents: Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC and Utah. They will also face four Northern Division opponents: Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, and Washington State. Arizona is not scheduled to play Pac-12 North opponents California or Oregon.

The team will scheduled to play three non-conference games, two home games against Hawaii of the MWC, Grambling State of the FCS' SWAC and travel to Glendale, AZ to play BYU of the (NCAA Division I FBS independent) for the Cactus Kickoff at University of Phoenix Stadium, a non—conference game at a neutral site one neutral site game.

Schedule Source: FBschedules.com[8]

Legend
 Arizona win
 Arizona loss

vs BYU

See also: 2016 BYU Cougars football team.

Statistics BYU ARIZ
First downs 2417
Total yards 415328
Rushing yards 47–21326–115
Passing yards 202213
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–29–020–30–2
Time of possession 37:3722:23
Team Category Player Statistics
BYU Passing Taysom Hill21/29, 202 yards, TD
Rushing Jamaal Williams29 carries, 162 yards
Receiving Moroni Laulu-Pututau4 receptions, 49 yards
Arizona Passing Anu Solomon20/30, 213 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Nick Wilson17 carries, 142 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Nate Phillips7 receptions, 69 yards

vs Grambling State

See also: 2016 Grambling State Tigers football team.

Statistics GRAM ARIZ
First downs 2821
Total yards 462445
Rushing yards 36–6047–222
Passing yards 402223
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 31–44–315–30–0
Time of possession 32:5727:03
Team Category Player Statistics
Grambling State Passing Trevon Cherry16/25, 209 yards, 3 INT
Rushing Martez Carter13 carries, 43 yards, TD
Receiving Chad Williams13 receptions, 152 yards
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins15/29, 223 yards, TD
Rushing Nick Wilson24 carries, 116 yards, TD
Receiving Samajie Grant5 receptions, 95 yards

Arizona played their home opener against Grambling State, which was the Wildcats' first home game since the 2011–2013's expansion to over 56,000 in Tucson. This was the first-ever meeting between the two teams. (Arizona attempted to hire legendary longtime Grambling head coach Eddie Robinson in 1968, which would have made him the first African American head coach of an NCAA Division I-A football program at a predominantly White college, but Robinson declined the offer.) Arizona played their home opener against Grambling State, which was the Wildcats' first home game since the 2011–2013's expansion to over 56,000 in Tucson. This was the first-ever meeting between the two teams. (Arizona attempted to hire legendary longtime Grambling head coach Eddie Robinson in 1968, which would have made him the first African American head coach of an NCAA Division I-A football program at a predominantly White college, but Robinson declined the offer.)

Grambling's legendary World Famed Tiger Band performed with the Arizona marching band for the National Anthem, and also during the halftime show in Tucson. Both bands famously performed for the first NFL Super Bowl in 1967.

vs Hawaii

See also: 2016 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team.

Statistics HAW ARIZ
First downs 2528
Total yards 429582
Rushing yards 38–16849–347
Passing yards 429582
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–43–116–21–0
Time of possession 31:3628:24
Team Category Player Statistics
Hawaii Passing Dru Brown10/18, 144 yards
Rushing Steve Lakalaka16 carries, 63 yards, 2 TD
Receiving John Ursua5 receptions, 83 yards, TD
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins16/21, 235 yards, TD
Rushing J.J. Taylor18 carries, 168 yards, TD
Receiving Shun Brown5 receptions, 92 yards, TD

vs No. 9 Washington

See also: 2016 Washington Huskies football team.

Statistics WASH ARIZ
First downs 2423
Total yards 512475
Rushing yards 51–35243–308
Passing yards 160167
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–21–119–31–1
Time of possession 34:5825:02
Team Category Player Statistics
Washington Passing Jake Browning14/21, 160 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Lavon Coleman11 carries, 181 yards, TD
Receiving Chico McClatcher2 receptions, 72 yards
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins19/31, 167 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Brandon Dawkins13 carries, 176 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Shun Brown7 receptions, 114 yards

at UCLA

See also: 2016 UCLA Bruins football team.

Statistics ARIZUCLA
First downs 2220
Total yards 387475
Rushing yards 49–24232–125
Passing yards 145350
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–31–020–37–0
Time of possession 31:3228:28
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins8/17, 73 yards, TD
Rushing Khalil Tate15 carries, 79 yards
Receiving Shun Brown4 receptions, 50 yards, TD
UCLA Passing Josh Rosen20/37, 350 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Nate Starks17 carries, 80 yards, TD
Receiving Kenneth Walker III4 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TD

at No. 24 Utah

See also: 2016 Utah Utes football team.

Statistics ARIZUTAH
First downs 2123
Total yards 475455
Rushing yards 37–12745–210
Passing yards 348245
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–29–313–29–0
Time of possession 24:1035:50
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins11/20, 243 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Brandon Dawkins14 carries, 49 yards, TD
Receiving Trey Griffey4 receptions, 109 yards
Utah Passing Troy Williams13/29, 245 yards, TD
Rushing Armand Shyne19 carries,109 yards, TD
Receiving Evan Moeai3 receptions, 81 yards

vs USC

See also: 2016 USC Trojans football team.

Statistics USC ARIZ
First downs 2520
Total yards 574343
Rushing yards 43–32044–201
Passing yards 254142
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 22–35–011–26–2
Time of possession 35:2424:36
Team Category Player Statistics
USC Passing Sam Darnold20/32, 235 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Aca'Cedric Ware12 carries, 103 yards, TD
Receiving JuJu Smith-Schuster9 receptions, 132 yards, 3 TD
Arizona Passing Matt Morin4/8, 84 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Khalil Tate14 carries, 72 yards, TD
Receiving Cam Denson1 reception, 51 yards

vs Stanford

See also: 2016 Stanford Cardinal football team.

Statistics STAN ARIZ
First downs 1715
Total yards 341286
Rushing yards 42–23744–170
Passing yards 104116
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–31–15–20–1
Time of possession 33:5226:08
Team Category Player Statistics
Stanford Passing Keller Chryst14/30, 104 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Christian McCaffrey23 carries, 169 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Trenton Irwin5 receptions, 34 yards
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins5/15, 116 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Brandon Dawkins17 carries, 65 yards
Receiving Trey Griffey2 receptions, 55 yards, TD

at No. 25 Washington State

See also: 2016 Washington State Cougars football team.

Statistics ARIZWSU
First downs 1434
Total yards 286614
Rushing yards 30–15832–140
Passing yards 128474
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–23–247–52–0
Time of possession 22:3237:28
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona Passing Anu Solomon9/13, 122 yards, TD
Rushing Samajie Grant8 carries, 77 yards
Receiving Cam Denson4 receptions, 77 yards, TD
Washington State Passing Luke Falk32/35, 311 yards, 4 TD
Rushing James Williams12 carries, 72 yards, TD
Receiving River Cracraft2 receptions, 90 yards, TD

vs No. 16 Colorado

See also: 2016 Colorado Buffaloes football team.

Statistics COLO ARIZ
First downs 2523
Total yards 388412
Rushing yards 46–17552–257
Passing yards 213155
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–27–112–26–0
Time of possession 30:1329:47
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing Sefo Liufau19/27, 213 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Phillip Lindsay25 carries, 119 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Shay Fields6 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins9/19, 107 yards
Rushing Samajie Grant16 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Shun Brown2 receptions, 58 yards

at Oregon State

See also: 2016 Oregon State Beavers football team.

Statistics ARIZOSU
First downs 2326
Total yards 350475
Rushing yards 40–16246–210
Passing yards 188265
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–31–116–19–0
Time of possession 24:2435:36
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins10/17, 106 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Brandon Dawkins15 carries, 88 yards
Receiving Nate Phillips6 receptions, 58 yards, TD
Oregon State Passing Marcus McMaryion16/19, 265 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Ryan Nall23 carries, 124 yards, TD
Receiving Jordan Villamin6 receptions, 124 yards, TD

vs Arizona State

See also: 2016 Arizona State Sun Devils football team.

Statistics ASU ARIZ
First downs 3119
Total yards 492588
Rushing yards 38–12048–511
Passing yards 37277
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 43–60–13–8–0
Time of possession 35:5624:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona State Passing Manny Wilkins43/58, 372 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Manny Wilkins23 carries, 79 yards
Receiving Fred Gammage12 receptions, 116 yards, TD
Arizona Passing Brandon Dawkins3/8, 77 yards, TD
Rushing Brandon Dawkins12 carries, 183 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Nate Phillips2 receptions, 68 yards, TD

Attendance

SeasonGamesSelloutsW–L–T (%) AttendanceAverageBest
2016 7 1 2–1–0 65,000 – –

Statistics

Team

Offense

Defense

Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, Yards: Yards, TDS: Touchdowns, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FF: Forced Fumbles, FR: Fumbles Recovered, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties

Special teams

Non-conference opponents

Pac-12 opponents

Score total by quarters

Awards and honors

Weekly awards

Week 1

Nick Wilson

Jamie Nunley

Matthew Stagg

Dane Cruikshank

Issac Steele

Justin Belknap

Jalen Cochran

Zach Werlinger

Week 2

Parker Zellers

Bryson Cain

Richard Merritt

Lee Anderson III

Richie Estrada

Nick Reinhardt

Week 3

Brandon Dawkins

J. J. Taylor

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

Josh Pollack

Nate Phillips

Tyrell Johnson

Zach Benjamin

Larry Tharpe Jr.

Jarrius Wallace

Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14

Award watch lists

Anu Solomon
Nick Wilson
Paul Magloire Jr.

Postseason games

Senior Bowl

All Star Game

Media affiliates

Radio

See also: 2016–17 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team and 2016–17 Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team.

TV

NFL draft

2017 NFL draft

The 2017 NFL draft was held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia on April 27 through April 29, 2017. The following Arizona players were either selected or signed as free agents following the draft.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 NFL Draft to be held April 28-30 . NFL.com . 2015-07-15 . 2024-11-27.
  2. Web site: Coaches. University of Arizona Athletics. June 27, 2015.
  3. Web site: University of Arizona lineman Hemmila dies in his sleep. 2016-09-13. 2016-08-08. Anthony . Gimino. KOLD-TV. Tucson News Now.
  4. Web site: Arizona Football Fact Book. University of Arizona Department of Athletics. August 28, 2016.
  5. Web site: Arizona Football injury report Matt Morin and Tony Ellison out for Wildcats vs BYU. ncaa.com. September 1, 2016. September 1, 2016.
  6. Web site: Arizona Football injury report Anu Solomon's knee injury and Tellas Jones questionable vs Grambling State. ncaa.com. September 8, 2016. September 8, 2016.
  7. Web site: Arizona Football injury report Anu Solomon's injury return and Tellas Jones questionable vs Hawaii. ncaa.com. September 15, 2016. September 15, 2016.
  8. Web site: 2016 Arizona Wildcats Football Schedule. FB Schedules. December 29, 2014.
  9. Web site: Cruikshank, Wilson Headline for Players of the Week. Arizona Wildcats. September 4, 2016.
  10. Web site: Football Coaching Staff hands out Weekly Honors. Arizona Wildcats. September 11, 2016.
  11. Web site: Dawkins, Taylor lead Coaches Player of the Week honors. Arizona Wildcats. September 18, 2016.
  12. Web site: 2016 Pre-Season Watch Lists For The Maxwell and Bednarik Awards . Maxwell Football Club . July 5, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160818082629/https://maxwellfootballclub.org/news/2016-pre-season-watch-lists-maxwell-and-benarik-awards . 2016-08-18 . dead .
  13. Web site: 2016 Pre-Season Watch Lists For The Walter Camp Award. ncaa.com. July 15, 2016. July 15, 2016.
  14. Web site: Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List. Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. July 27, 2016. July 27, 2016.
  15. Web site: 2016 Pre-Season Watch Lists For Davey O'Brien Award. NCAA.com . July 14, 2016.
  16. Web site: 2016 Pre-Season Watch Lists For The Doak Walker Award. NCAA.com . July 14, 2016.

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