Wildcats may lose top receiver for 1997 season

Ryan A. Mihalyi Arizona Daily Wildcat A deep hamstring injury keeps UA senior wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel out of practice last night.

Arizona head coach Dick Tomey said no official decision has been made whether McDaniel will sit out the entire year, but the coaches are disappointed with McDaniel's rate of recovery.

"The leg has not gotten any better," Tomey said. "This is a very hard injury to recover from as a receiver."

"Every time I go in for treatment I came out feeling the same way," said McDaniel, who is receiving ultrasound to his left leg as part of his treatment. "Right now I have no idea, (on how soon he could play) but right now if there was a game tomorrow, there would be no way."

Although Tomey does not have to make an immediate decision to redshirt McDaniel, Tomey said he will not use McDaniel if it means only playing the last few games of the season.

"You can't do that to a player," Tomey said. "It would not be fair (to McDaniel) to lose a good portion of your senior year."

Tomey said McDaniel won't play against Oregon and he is doubtful for the Alabama-Birmingham home opener. So far this season, McDaniel has been a spectator to the team's running drills.

"Man, I can't even run routes," McDaniel said.

As much as the leg hurts, not playing has been almost harder to handle.

"It hurts to watch everybody out there," McDaniel said. "I want to be out there with them. I think we are a good team and close knit group."

If he redshirts, his eligibility will extend another season.

"I don't want to waste my senior year," McDaniel said. "I would rather redshirt and come back 110 percent."

McDaniel emerged in the second half of last season after a season-ending knee injury to Richard Dice put him in the starting lineup. By the end of the season, he led the squad with 31 receptions for 607 yards and three touchdowns.

Although the possible loss of McDaniel would be considerable, Tomey is confident with the depth he has at the wide receiver position.

"(Sophomore Dennis) Northcutt is doing very well," Tomey said. "The emergence of (redshirt freshman) O.J. (Ortege Jenkins) and (senior) Jeff Nadeau help make our receivers strong."

Northcutt, who played tailback, cornerback, and wide receiver last season, has performed well in camp and could see a lot of time at receiver, Tomey said.

Jenkins was asked to make the transition from quarterback to receiver so his talents can be used this year instead of waiting while he progresses behind Keith Smith and Brady Batten.

"O.J. has amazed me with the things that he can do," Tomey said.

Jenkins will remain No. 3 on the quarterback depth chart, but Tomey said that it has always been the plan to move him to receiver.

Nadeau is returning to the Wildcats after a year away from football for personal reasons. Nadeau had 10 receptions in 10 games in 1995 for 147 yards and a touchdown.

Not to mention senior Rodney Williams, who has also significant contributions the past two seasons and was the projected starter opposite McDaniel after spring drills.

McDaniel, an All Pacific 10 Conference honorable mention selection last season, is best remembered for his performance in Arizona's four overtime 56-55 loss to California on Nov. 2.

McDaniel, who is 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, finished the day with 14 catches for 283 yards - both school records with the yardage also being a conference record - and two touchdowns.

McDaniel transferred in 1996 from Fort Scott College in Kansas.