Incoming players get their own orientation
The summer heat has not stopped a number of incoming freshman and junior college football players from coming to Arizona to practice with their new teammates.
"I know I would have been an even better player if I'd come down here right away," UA senior quarterback Keith Smith said.
Several newcomers have heeded that advice and began voluntary workouts with the returning Wildcats on weekday afternoons.
The number and names vary from day to day, but they have included quarterback Cliff Watkins (Breckenridge HS, Texas), wide receiver Marvin Brown (Chabot CC, Calif.), running back Larry Croom (Polytechnic HS, Long Beach, Calif.), defensive back Clay Hardt (Marana HS, Ariz.), defensive back Michael Jolivette (North Shore HS, Texas), wide receiver Brandon Marshall (Palomar JC, Calif.), wide receiver Andrae Thurman (Westview HS, Ariz.), defensive lineman Austin Uku (Long Beach CC, Calif.) and running back Bobby Wade (Desert Vista HS, Ariz.).
Of the group, only Marshall couldn't practice, due to wrist surgery, but he did come to watch and learn.
Both Croom and Watkins said showing up before Camp Cochise in August was important.
"This can help me a whole lot," Watkins said. "I wouldn't have known the system or the players that well if I hadn't come out here."
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