Tate is a 6-2, 215, Sophomore QB from Inglewood, CA. Initially scheduled to redshirt last year, the QB situation forced him to play in 7 games and start 1 as a 17 year old. He ended up with 237 rushing yards and 1 TD along with 243 passing yards and 3 TDs. Unfortunately, Tate also had 3 interceptions and only completed 40% of his passes.
This year Tate enters the season with a different attitude. He knows he is competing for the starting job. Reports show he is currently behind Dawkins, but he has impressed his teammates and still has a cannon for an arm. It also helps he is in the shape required to run this offense and has a much better grasp of the play book.
Here's some quotes from Lev's Star article on Tate this week:
14 is the Arizona record for most passes caught in a game set by Jeremy McDaniel against Cal in '96.“He’s getting more and more familiar with us,” Smith said. “He looks comfortable in the pocket. That’s a huge plus. He’s still piecing it together, still figuring it out. But he’s further along now than what he was last spring and even the summer.”
“We’ve got to catch his mind up to his physical abilities,” Smith said. “When he does that, he’s going to be a very good football player.”
On what he needs to do to improve Tate said, “Taking what the defense gives me,” said. “Going over my reads and making the right decisions. Getting the ball in my playmakers’ hands.”
Players on both sides of the ball have noticed. Safety Isaiah Hayes said Tate looks more comfortable in Year 2 and is playing more freely as a result. Receiver Shawn Poindexter said Tate is “really stepping it up. He’s really maturing. He’s definitely going to be a weapon for us this year and years to come.”
“He’s certainly more advanced than he was a year ago, which he should be – 17-year-old freshman and expecting to be redshirted,” Rodriguez said. “Now he’s competing for the job and for significant playing time.”
Is he prepared for that responsibility, if called upon?
“Yes, I am,” Tate said. “I’ve always had this confidence. It may have taken a couple months, but right now I think I’m ready.”
