Saturday's Spring Game was no doubt confusing for Arizona football fans. Coaches consulted their rosters after every true freshman or junior college transfer entered the game. Number changes - like junior wideout Ricky Williams and Gainus Scott both wearing No. 2 - popped up from time to time.
Scott, a junior-to-be who moved from running back to cornerback, is among the high-profile players who have changed positions this spring, along with sophomore Sean Jones and freshman Brent Bolden. Jones moved from fullback to linebacker, while Bolden switched from running back to cornerback to safety.
Head coach Mike Stoops said the players have done "really good" in their new positions.
"I think Brent Bolden has a chance to be a big-time safety. I think Gainus is getting better at corner in a little bit of time, being there for two weeks," Stoops said. "I think both of them will have an opportunity to help us, obviously give us some depth, and they'll have a chance to compete."
Scott and Bolden - speedy runners who switched nearly midway through the practices - have brought depth to a defensive backfield that lost two starters.
"It's been going real good," Scott said. "After a couple practices, I'm starting to get the hang of it."
Jones, who provided a couple of big, de-cleating hits in a previous scrimmage, said he is excited about the switch.
"I'm loving it. I should (have been) playing this position since the second year I've been here," Jones said. "I'm really enjoying it."
Jones, who redshirted in 2001, averaged 9.3 yards per carry as a high school teammate of former UA star Michael Jolivette. Jones played in 10 games in 2003, but didn't start. In eight rushing attempts, he averaged 3.6 yards per carry and caught eight passes.
Jones said he started out at fullback because that was the position for which he was recruited and said he likes being back on defense because he can deliver hits again instead of taking them.
"It's intense being back on defense," Jones said. "Basically, I have a lot of emotion coming from my heart from not having good grades, or something like that. I just bring it out here and try to take it out on the offense. It's another thing not to get hit."
Jones missed the Spring Game with an injury, but Bolden and Scott each recorded a tackle.
Scott said he is also excited about playing on defense. He started at corner in high school before switching to offense during his sophomore year.
Scott won the Champion Award when he was redshirting in 2001 for outstanding contributions to the special teams squad on the scout team.
Scott, the brother of former UA All-American and offensive lineman Yusuf Scott, missed most of 2003 with a non-football-related illness.
Scott said he thinks the move will be permanent.
"As of right now, it kind of looks like a permanent thing for the season, but you never know. They might want me to switch back. I want to do anything for the team," Scott said.
Gainus said the older Scott was content with his move.
"(Yusuf) was like, 'Be you, just you.' That's what he basically told me," Gainus Scott said.
Scott, a La Porte, Texas, native, said he likes the intensity that the Stoops brothers bring to the defensive backfield. Mike Stoops, a former defensive back and DBs coach, is spending most of his time with the defense, and defensive coordinator/secondary coach Mark Stoops coached the Miami (Fla.) DBs.
"It's a little different. They're intense - they like everything perfect," Scott said. "They're real loud. They like to express themselves."
Mike Stoops said he has been impressed with the potential of Bolden, a freshman who redshirted last season. A Houston-area native, Bolden rushed for 1,237 yards and 11 touchdowns as a high school senior.
Bolden rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs against North Shore High - Jones' school.
"I am more and more impressed with Brent as we go through spring," Mike Stoops said. "I think he has a great burst and being a young safety, I think he has a chance to put pressure there."
The coaches might not be done with their position changes for the 2004 season. A much bigger switch could happen.
Sophomore quarterback Nic Costa hasn't been moved yet, but if he falls in the depth chart at signal caller, Costa could be headed to receiver, running back or even to the defense.
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Canales said the staff could have a decision after the current monthlong recruiting session ends.
Canales said Costa, who he described as one of the strongest and fastest players on the team, needs to be on the field in some capacity.