8 observations on Arizona football as spring practice concludes

Michael Lev
 |  Arizona Daily Star

Here’s what you need to know about the University of Arizona

UA was established in 1885, and its main campus is in Tucson. The Wildcats once had a live bobcat named Rufus as a mascot.

The Republic

As I walked up National Championship Drive to attend the final football practice of spring Saturday, drum practice already was underway on the lawn southeast of Arizona Stadium.

The rapid, rhythmic thumping of the drums reminded me of the soundtrack of EA Sports College Football 25 — which reminded me that college football ’25 will be here before we know it.

What’s in store for the Arizona Wildcats come August? Here are eight observations from the camp-concluding “Spring Showcase” and spring practice overall:

1. The Showcase was well-orchestrated and an unqualified success

The first sign that something was different about this “spring game” could be found at Bear Down Field north of the stadium. That’s where the players were doing their warmups.

Inside the stadium, about a third of the field — from the 25-yard line to the north end zone — was devoted to fun and games. The turf at Arizona Stadium hadn’t seen this much foot traffic since the last field storming in 2023.

Kids played Pop-A-Shot and slid down inflatable slides. Adults enjoyed adult beverages and rocked out to Sophia Rankin & The Sound. Other UA teams — swimming & diving, gymnastics, volleyball — participated in the merriment.

Once practice started a little after 6 p.m., fans could watch from field level.

It was exactly what the UA football program needed — a real opportunity to connect to and celebrate with the Tucson community.

2. Quarterback Noah Fifita can get to another level

Offensive coordinator Seth Doege expressed supreme confidence in Fifita, dubbing him “the best quarterback in the league.”

In…

Source link : https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/ua/2025/04/20/8-observations-on-arizona-football-as-spring-practice-concludes/83186856007/

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Publish date : 2025-04-20 21:19:00

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