2024 Season Thread

[84Cat]

Good to see Pulido back, really hope we can keep Davis/Prysock and get some transfers in for the DL
Haven't seen us have corners with that type of potential probably since Antoine Cason days!

Prysock is gone

[UAEebs86]

Who?

[EastCoastCat]

Still a chance for the 2 corners, and with Harbaugh gone maybe Fifita and TMac can convince their pal Mason Graham to reunite?

Yeah, if CJF goes to Michigan sure.

Cmon you gotta let me dream my big dreams!!

I'm actually being selfish for my daughter who goes to Michigan and is on their dance team. She missed out on going to the Rose Bowl game this year because they only took Juniors & Seniors (she's a sophomore).

I warned her that next year with Harbaugh gone and half the team leaving including their key players like JJ, Corum, Roman Wilson, 2 stud linebackers, and most of the o-line, she should expect a whole different season with a bowl more likely sounding like Peach or Citrus.

They will have some talent leftover like Graham, Grant, Edwards, Loveland and Will Johnson. Moore - who should be named soon as coach - just needs to keep them in Ann Arbor.

[Carcassdragger]

Did Prysock publicly commit to someone else? Hope not. Stud.

[84Cat]

[KillerKlown]

Lost a lot of depth on the defensive line and CB positions. Kept all the LBs and Safeties though. 16 scholies available. Gonna be a very, very busy off season.

[Carcassdragger]

Lost a lot of depth on the defensive line and CB positions. Kept all the LBs and Safeties though. 16 scholies available. Gonna be a very, very busy off season.

Staff needs to be busy now.

[84Cat]

https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/football/schedule

[PHXCATS]

Thank God the asu game is the last game of the year

The rest of the schedule for the entire Big 12 is absolute trash

[Merkin]

2 Bye weeks will be nice.

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... yoMCcimwYo

2024 Arizona football schedule
Aug. 31 vs. New Mexico
Sept. 7 vs. NAU
Sept. 13/14 at Kansas State
BYE
Sept. 28 at Utah
Oct. 5 vs. Texas Tech
Oct. 12 at BYU
Oct. 19 vs. Colorado
Oct. 26 vs. West Virginia
Nov. 2 at UCF
BYE
Nov. 14/15/16 vs. Houston
Nov. 23 at TCU
Nov. 30 vs. ASU

[Fishclamps]

That should be fun

[azcat49]

Definitely need more info on what that means

[Fishclamps]

They have some sort of homage to their old Citronaut uniforms but also incorporate rocket stuff into the theme as well. Apparently since they started it like 6 years ago they've been undefeated in the space game.

[gouacats]

Definitely need more info on what that means

Sounds like it is a tribute to Cape Canaveral and they wear special uniforms every year. Apparently they are 7-0 in their annual Space Game.

EDIT - Basically what Fish said.

[TheCatInTheHat]

It's a favorable schedule. I penciled it out at 7-5, reflective of a new coaching staff and a lack of depth on defense at this point. If we can bring in 4 or 5 significant defensive guys from the portal, I might bump it up to 8.

[azcat49]

With our offense, anything less than 9 wins would be disappointing assuming we stay healthy

[Chicat]

With our offense, anything less than 9 wins would be disappointing assuming we stay healthy

Can’t predict injuries or how this team takes to Brennan’s playbook/philosophy, but I can see 8 wins.

vs. New Mexico W
vs. NAU W
at Kansas State L
BYE
at Utah L
vs. Texas Tech W
at BYU W
vs. Colorado W
vs. West Virginia W
at UCF L
BYE
vs. Houston W
at TCU L
vs. ASU W

[azcat49]

Very true but I think we beat TCU which would give me 9.

I have to think Babers will go balls out to show a high powered offense for his resume. We just need to get some depth on defense to have another special year

[tgrumpy2]

Very true but I think we beat TCU which would give me 9.

I have to think Babers will go balls out to show a high powered offense for his resume. We just need to get some depth on defense to have another special year

We need some depth at QB big time. Someone that has D1 experience and was somewhat successful. We are one big quarterback sack away from a real problem.

[Carcassdragger]

It's a favorable schedule. I penciled it out at 7-5, reflective of a new coaching staff and a lack of depth on defense at this point. If we can bring in 4 or 5 significant defensive guys from the portal, I might bump it up to 8.

This. I was thinking 7-5 and potentially much better but only if our defense gets some signicant guys coming in. So far, I'm not seeing any movement on this front by the new staff. They better get cracking!

[azcat49]

Well staying healthy is always key. One of my staff concerns is the S&C coaches. T.O. Was a flat out stud and did a great job keeping us injury free. No doubt the new guy will have some different wrinkles and we will have to see how our guys react to that

[TheCatInTheHat]

We lost a great S&C guy, no doubt. Hopefully the new guy will be good. I do think it's important to note that one aspect of avoiding injuries is to rotate people in so they stay fresh. With our depth last year, we were able to do that more than just about any time I can remember.

[wyo-cat]

The new Strength guy was at Stanford in the same capacity for 8 years before David Shaw for shitcanned.

Glenn Parker used to tell me how their training system for OL was cutting edge. Before they could lift a weight they had to meet speed and agility goals. He was really impressed.

Dude also hooks the guys up with a custom blended post workout shake to help them recover and build muscle.

We’re gonna be fine on the S&C front.

[wyo-cat]

With our offense, anything less than 9 wins would be disappointing assuming we stay healthy

Can’t predict injuries or how this team takes to Brennan’s playbook/philosophy, but I can see 8 wins.

vs. New Mexico W
vs. NAU W
at Kansas State L
BYE
at Utah L
vs. Texas Tech W
at BYU W
vs. Colorado W
vs. West Virginia W
at UCF L
BYE
vs. Houston W
at TCU L
vs. ASU W

I would move TCU, UCF and KState into tossups.

We could win all three or lose.

I went back to visit my dad and caught the ISU v TCU game. ISU smoked them. I think we are giving them too much credit.

[Chicat]

With our offense, anything less than 9 wins would be disappointing assuming we stay healthy

Can’t predict injuries or how this team takes to Brennan’s playbook/philosophy, but I can see 8 wins.

vs. New Mexico W
vs. NAU W
at Kansas State L
BYE
at Utah L
vs. Texas Tech W
at BYU W
vs. Colorado W
vs. West Virginia W
at UCF L
BYE
vs. Houston W
at TCU L
vs. ASU W

I would move TCU, UCF and KState into tossups.

We could win all three or lose.

I went back to visit my dad and caught the ISU v TCU game. ISU smoked them. I think we are giving them too much credit.

It’s tough to win on the road, and all three of those teams project to be improved next year from what I (very briefly and not very thoroughly) have read.

I think TCU is the most likely toss up but as I mentioned it is tough to project how the team will take to Brennan and it’s impossible to predict injuries. If we stay healthy and buy in (like we did this past season) I definitely would flip either UCF or TCU. I just can’t say with any amount of confidence at this point that we’ll be good enough and strong enough for that to happen.

[Carcassdragger]

Highest ceiling is for this team to be as good as last years. With an easier schedule this could work out well. Problem is, other than doing a great job retaining our offensive core, I haven't seen much positive out of this staff on the recruiting front.

[RichardCranium]

I see 8-4 at best based only on emotion and WAG.

[tgrumpy2]

Highest ceiling is for this team to be as good as last years. With an easier schedule this could work out well. Problem is, other than doing a great job retaining our offensive core, I haven't seen much positive out of this staff on the recruiting front.

Hopefully they're all busy evaluating and talking to recruits and potential portal gets. They don't say much so we don't know.

[Carcassdragger]

Highest ceiling is for this team to be as good as last years. With an easier schedule this could work out well. Problem is, other than doing a great job retaining our offensive core, I haven't seen much positive out of this staff on the recruiting front.

Hopefully they're all busy evaluating and talking to recruits and potential portal gets. They don't say much so we don't know.

Meanwhile Washington continues to pull guy after guy.

[Fishclamps]

Its literally a dead period and there's only so many players out there right now. It sucks to have to wait but there should be plenty of choices once the spring portal opens.

[Merkin]

Its literally a dead period and there's only so many players out there right now.

Exactly, and why I am not concerned. Very slim pickings. Along with it being very difficult to transfer mid-semester as a student.

3 new entries yesterday, although none probably have a prior UA relationship. Like Fisch said, if we didn't have a relationship before they entered the portal, we don't have time to invest in evaluating them. Imagine that's true for most coaching staffs.

https://247sports.com/season/2024-footb ... ferportal/

Do see a backup QB in the portal, and the Cats need a backup. Very famous B12 coaching dad too. Although the Cats won't play OK State this season.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/p ... nnar-gundy

[TheCatInTheHat]

They do seem to be out there and hitting it hard, but what's visible are high school visits, which won't likely provide any immediate help. The 24/7 crystal ball has SJSU's RB Quali Conley and DE Tre Smith coming here, but not sure who else we'd want from there, and I doubt Brennan wants to do to them what Fisch has done to us. Most of the Alabama players have already moved on to fairly big schools, although there seem to be a few from Washington and Michigan available. After that, it's April 15 for players to enter again, but if we'd get anybody from that round, I'd assume they'd miss spring ball and it would seem to be pretty tough to assimilate in the fall.

[KaibabKat]

I thought TCU was in the WAC with the UA, but looking them up, they only shared one season.

Quite a beat down by Texas Tech over the years.

Looking them up, Texas Technological College won the Border Conference 16 times.

Was in Lubbock for game when Arizona was highly ranked under Jim Young. The Raiders had a tradition of running their silky black horse mascot witth a black and red caped rider around the trrack each time they scored. It got so bad that the students around us in the 4th quarter were all. yelling "lighten up on us Arizona you're killing our horse."

[Carcassdragger]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

UW just pulled another one of our recruits, yet I don't see Brennan getting any of the SJS commits or any portal players.

[CalStateTempe]

Hire townie coaches, get townie results.

But he’s a nice guy and root root roots for the home team so we’ll be fine.

I really hope I am proven wrong.

[azcat49]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

UW just pulled another one of our recruits, yet I don't see Brennan getting any of the SJS commits or any portal players.

If we fill our roster with MWC level players, well we should have just rehired Sumlin.

Not many great HS kids waiting to decide on us in the February signing period. I think we need to stay patient and wait for the portal entries after spring practices end

[tgrumpy2]

I posted this in the commitment thread awhile back and it didn't get much play. It's an intesting article. There are a few decent kids left to recruit in Az. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... 7708&ei=20

[mofo]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

I can't believe CBB has been here 2 ENTIRE weeks and hasn't filled out all of our positions of need with high end recruits yet! Let's go jump off a bridge!

[PHXCATS]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

UW just pulled another one of our recruits, yet I don't see Brennan getting any of the SJS commits or any portal players.

What top notch guys are in the portal and can ve pulled right now?

[Carcassdragger]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

I can't believe CBB has been here 2 ENTIRE weeks and hasn't filled out all of our positions of need with high end recruits yet! Let's go jump off a bridge!

I guess you don't know but we are in need of DL, LB, and DBs. Seen any commit lately?

[Carcassdragger]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

UW just pulled another one of our recruits, yet I don't see Brennan getting any of the SJS commits or any portal players.

What top notch guys are in the portal and can ve pulled right now?

I guess top notch wasnt the best term, but what new kids have committed since these guys have been onboard?

Name one?

[Fishclamps]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

UW just pulled another one of our recruits, yet I don't see Brennan getting any of the SJS commits or any portal players.

What top notch guys are in the portal and can ve pulled right now?

I guess top notch wasnt the best term, but what new kids have committed since these guys have been onboard?

Name one?

The fact that most of the team decided to stay and we even kept a few of the new recruits should tell you what this staff has done so far.

Don't worry, the sky isn't falling.

[tgrumpy2]

I'm concerned that this staff is taking the attitude that Arizona can't give it a go with top notch kids. We can and Fisch proved it. U of A is special. This staff needs to get going.

UW just pulled another one of our recruits, yet I don't see Brennan getting any of the SJS commits or any portal players.

What top notch guys are in the portal and can ve pulled right now?

I guess top notch wasnt the best term, but what new kids have committed since these guys have been onboard?

Name one?

I do know a lot of our kids pulled out of the transfer portal and I'm pretty sure a lot of that was because of efforts by our new coach.

[KillerKlown]

It's the dead period nearing the tail of the 2024 cycle. Expecting big recruits anywhere not named Alabama, Ohio St. etc during this point is wishful thinking. And Brennan has already recruited most of the team back sans DL depth and CB depth. Keeping intact what we have been able to keep thus far with a new staff has been phenomenal. If UCLA opens up maybe we can grab a player or two but we'd be going up against everybody. For right now it's mostly jucos, mid-majors, little-knowns, and players with red flags untill the next portal.

By the way the level of players Jeff Fish is getting (while tampering) to UW right now are the types UW usually has no interest in. He has been a let down so far considering what they have in NIL.

[Carcassdragger]

New coaches are hired in such a short time for the exact reason that they need to get after recruits and guys in the portal.

I agree this staff has done great keeping who they did yet Fisch is pulling previous Arizona commits and a couple of choice SJS state guys while we've pulled no portal guys and no SJS guys.

Fisch proved with a bunch of young hungry guys on staff you can recruit at a high level here. I just hope this staff is still hungry. I doubt guys like Babers are.

[Fishclamps]

New coaches are hired so quickly for what Brennan and his staff managed to do, not let the entire team fall apart.

You need to take some anti anxiety meds or something, it will take time to see how this all shakes out.

[CopaCat]

New coaches are hired in such a short time for the exact reason that they need to get after recruits and guys in the portal.

I agree this staff has done great keeping who they did yet Fisch is pulling previous Arizona commits and a couple of choice SJS state guys while we've pulled no portal guys and no SJS guys.

Fisch proved with a bunch of young hungry guys on staff you can recruit at a high level here. I just hope this staff is still hungry. I doubt guys like Babers are.

I was stoked on Babers initially until I read some Syracuse fan chatter. Many seemed to think the offense at Syracuse was poorly planned and recruited and it was mostly on Babers(many had high praise for their D, which Babers had little control over). I am also not that stoked on Akina and am glad we hired Danny Gonzales to help out on D. Babers was solid 25 years ago and Akina has basically been a lifelong D Backs coach(a good one, but still). His 1 definite year calling plays at Texas led to a school record in yardage given up and his demotion back to DBs(2007). Familiar names with good memories make fans happy and I can't help but feel that is why they were brought back on short notice.

Sure hope it works out because overall I don't mind the rest of the staff. Ogelsby, Seumalo, Viney, Gonzales, and Carter seem like solid hires if you are looking for a mix of experience and recruiting.

[PHXCATS]

Babers is running Brennan's offense

[tgrumpy2]

New coaches are hired in such a short time for the exact reason that they need to get after recruits and guys in the portal.

I agree this staff has done great keeping who they did yet Fisch is pulling previous Arizona commits and a couple of choice SJS state guys while we've pulled no portal guys and no SJS guys.

Fisch proved with a bunch of young hungry guys on staff you can recruit at a high level here. I just hope this staff is still hungry. I doubt guys like Babers are.

I was stoked on Babers initially until I read some Syracuse fan chatter. Many seemed to think the offense at Syracuse was poorly planned and recruited and it was mostly on Babers(many had high praise for their D, which Babers had little control over). I am also not that stoked on Akina and am glad we hired Danny Gonzales to help out on D. Babers was solid 25 years ago and Akina has basically been a lifelong D Backs coach(a good one, but still). His 1 definite year calling plays at Texas led to a school record in yardage given up and his demotion back to DBs(2007). Familiar names with good memories make fans happy and I can't help but feel that is why they were brought back on short notice.

Sure hope it works out because overall I don't mind the rest of the staff. Ogelsby, Seumalo, Viney, Gonzales, and Carter seem like solid hires if you are looking for a mix of experience and recruiting.

I pretty much agree with you on Akina. We'll see on Babers. There is a reason that if you look at Akina's resume most of the time he spent as DC, he was a co DC, as in they didn't quite trust him with all the reins. Even when he coached at Az under Tomey, anytime he got away from the defensive backs the result wasn't so good. I will say that Akina has always been popular with players and I do believe he had quite a bit to do with keeping some of our defensive players from leaving.

[PHXCATS]

Looks like a true 3% increase in season ticket prices