Spring practice begins with multiple changes

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior wide receiver Brad Brennan (13) runs down field after a reception during Arizona's 50-42 victory over Arizona State Nov. 21. Brennan will not take part in spring training as he recovers from surgery on a tendon in his ankle which snapped during the game against Stanford last season.

But for the Arizona football team, change is a necessity every year, as players finish their eligibility and leave the team with holes to fill.

Spring practice is the time when the coaches try to plug those holes with returning players, and it began Saturday at the UA practice field.

Among the roster changes UA will make in the spring is moving quarterback/kick-blocking specialist Peter Hansen to tight end.

"I'm excited about it," Hansen said. "With Keith and OJ on the field it'll be harder to make the team as a quarterback."

At 6-foot-8, Hansen has the height to be a tight end, but he realizes he'll need more than his current 220 pounds if he wants to make an impact.

"There's no set weight for me to get to, just more," he said.

Hansen sees himself more as a receiving tight end than a blocking specialist like the departed Mike Lucky.

"I'm not very thick. Till I put more weight on I want to be a receiving threat," he said.

Hansen, though, said "I don't think so" in regards to going on a Yusuf Scott-style weight-gaining program. Scott, a former UA offensive guard, used to eat up to 25 cheeseburgers at fast food restaurants after games.

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Other players shifting positions include defensive tackle Dolphin Tillman to H-back, quarterback Nick Fleury to wide receiver, receiver Brandon Nash to free safety and defensive end Eli Wnek to H-back.

Associate head coach Duane Akina said Nash could wind up being redshirted next year, with an eye toward stepping in for senior Rafell Jones in 2000.

"We think he could be a decent player there," Akina said of Nash.

Akina said the transition won't be that hard on Nash because of his previous position.

"In some ways he should have an advantage because he knows offense and he knows how to read quarterbacks and receivers," Akina said.

As for Tillman, he's focused more on the team concept than personal glory.

"I feel pretty good about it," he said of the move to offense. "Just to get the chance to contribute to the team is good enough for me."

Tillman sees himself more in the mold of the departed Paul Shields as a blocking back than as a short yardage back like the departed Kelvin Eafon was.

"I'm a power back, blocking's my specialty," Tillman said.

Tomey agreed with Tillman in saying "that's where they'd be."

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One of the biggest tasks facing Akina, who coaches the Wildcats' secondary, is to find someone to fill the shoes of consensus All-American Chris McAlister, who is bound for the NFL.

"I'm not sure anyone will replace Chris McAlister," Akina said. "But I never thought anyone would replace Chuck Levy or Darryll Lewis or Tony Bouie."

Among the players who will try to fill the gap are Leland Gayles, who missed most of last year with a neck injury, Kelvin Hunter and Greg Payne. As Akina noted, though, talk of no one having the talent to replace McAlister is premature.

"Chris McAlister was an average player until his senior year, and then he made the right moves to become a great player," Akina said.

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Two key Wildcats will miss most or all of spring practice as they recover from surgery. Offensive lineman Manuia Savea and wide receiver Brad Brennan both had nagging injuries taken care of just before spring practice began.

Brennan will not return until Camp Cochise in August, but Savea said he is hopeful that he can come back for the last two weeks of spring practice.

"It's up to the trainer," Savea said. "I don't want to come back (too) early and risk making it worse."

With Savea out and three of last year's starters, Mike Lucky, Edwin Mulitalo and Yusuf Scott having moved on, the Wildcats' offensive line will have a different look this spring.

No problem, said Tomey.

"We've still got five returning players," he said. "We're much better off than we were a year before."

Brennan said he feels "all right" for the moment, having had a tendon in his ankle which snapped during the game against Stanford last season. Despite the injury, Brennan managed to come up with a number of big catches including a touchdown reception in the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska.

"Everyone needs to be more competitive," Brennan said of the other receivers. "This gives more guys an extra look."

Tomey said he's looking for sophomore Malosi Leonard to step up, as well as one more person from a pool that includes former quarterback Nick Fleury and redshirt freshman and Tucson native, Michael Hairgrove.

"We've got some guys coming in the fall who we feel strongly can play, but they've got to prove themselves first," Tomey said. "Somebody will emerge, I'm sure of that."

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UA senior fullback Jim Wendler has petitioned the NCAA for another year of eligibility. Wendler missed two seasons while at the Air Force Academy due to injuries.

A walk-on, Wendler played hard enough in practice on the scout team to earn a scholarship this year. He went on to score two touchdowns and rack up 42 yards on 10 carries as a key reserve behind Eafon this year.

"I'd like another free year of school," Wendler told a fan Saturday during "Meet the Team."

He said the situation is out of his hands right now, so all he can do is wait. He said he expects an answer in about a month, but he will be able to participate in spring practice until the final decision is announced.