Fri, Sep 05, 2008

UA Sports

UA football

Wildcats welcome nine as summer classes start

By Ryan Finley
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.10.2008
Nine new Arizona Wildcats took their first college classes on Monday, clearing the way for them to participate in the football program's training camp later this summer.
Offensive tackle Trace Biskin, running backs Keola Antolin and Greg Nwoko, wide receiver David Douglas, defensive tackles Dominique Austin, Solomon Koehler and Jowyn Ward and linebackers Zander Fabbri and R.J. Young all qualified for the UA's Summer Session I courses with no issues, said recruiting coordinator Bill Baker.
Most are expected to compete for playing time this fall, though a few — notably Douglas and Nwoko — could be candidates for redshirt seasons.
Many believe Antolin could earn playing time with a solid performance in camp.
Arizona's tailback situation is murkier than ever heading into what coaches say is a make-or-break season for a bowl game. Nicolas Grigsby is expected to start, though he is being pushed by Xavier Smith, Joe Reese and a handful more.
Antolin rushed for 1,048 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High School last season, and showed promise as a pass-catching back.
Two other highly touted recruits — cornerback Robert Golden and wide receiver Juron Criner — are expected to be in town and in class by the end of the week. Golden and Criner graduate from high school on Wednesday.
They will move to Tucson immediately to start classes.
"They'll come straight over when they're done," Baker said.
Nearly all of Arizona's other recruits, including quarterback Matt Scott, are expected to be in Tucson by the beginning of July.
The only question mark remains offensive lineman J'Marcus Webb. Baker said Webb, a transfer from Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, is working toward qualifying academically.
Arizona begins its season at home on Aug. 30 against Idaho.