Saturday's opponent Cal has had a lot more success with transfers.
JOHN MOREDICH
Tucson Citizen
Going the junior college route for a quick fix has not worked well for the University of Arizona. The success rate is just the opposite for California, which has emerged as a perennial top-25 program largely because of recruiting through the junior college ranks. The Wildcats counted on at least a handful of JC players signed in December and February to be major contributors by the time Arizona played at No. 12 California at 4 p.m. Saturday. None of the eight transfers starts, although four are listed as backups on this week's two-deep depth chart. California has a built-in recruiting advantage, as City College of San Francisco, practically in Cal's back yard, is a feeder school for the Bears. The school, regarded as one of the top junior college programs in the country, sent quarterback Joe Ayoob, receiver LaVelle Hawkins and linebacker Desmond Bishop to the Bears after last season. Ayoob starts at quarterback, Bishop leads the team in tackles with 32 and Hawkins had three receptions before being injured last week. The Wildcats got linebacker Randy Sims out of the college in 2004. He became a starter for UA a year ago but has been bothered by an ankle injury this season.
Sims is slated to start against the Bears. The only success Arizona has had out of Pima Community College is tight end Brad Wood, a Sabino High grad who has caught four touchdowns among his 12 passes this season. After spring workouts, UA defensive tackle Byron Smith worked his way into a starting role, but he has fallen behind sophomore Yaniv Barnett. Smith has made three tackles. At the start of fall camp, Smith and fellow JC transfer Ricky Parker brought size and strength to the front line, but neither has played much in critical situations. "Sure, you would have liked (more production)," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. "Ricky has practiced well and is getting in shape. That comes from playing and not being in the system. It is difficult for junior college players to come in and make a huge impact early on. "It usually takes them a half a year to get acclimated to the process of developing into a player. The JC (level) is higher than high school, but it is still not the level that you move up to at a Pac-10 school." Wildcat safety Michael Johnson appears to be making strides while in the mix with Darrell Brooks and Lamon Means. Offensive lineman Adam Hawes is working his way up to a possible starting assignment before long after gradual improvement. The Wildcats suffered a huge loss when receiver B.J. Vickers left the team recently over transcript issues. Among other JC tranfers, Long snapper J.C. Zahradnik quit before the first week of school ended, H-back Paul Nichols has not ousted Pedro Limon from a starting assignment and tight end Brandyn McCall has been bothered by a back injury. "Michael Johnson has competed well. Adam Hawes is a guy we are really happy with," Stoops said. "I think those are all quality players. We need to get them in shape and get stronger."
The Wildcats' bad luck with JC recruits goes back a couple of years. Sims was one of three JC players signed by Stoops soon after he took over the job. Cornerback Kiel McDonald injured himself before last season and is no longer with the team, while Dramayne McElroy is listed behind Wilrey Fontenot at one cornerback spot. Arizona signed eight JC transfers in 2003 under John Mackovic, but just defensive back Zeonte Sherman saw much action. Defensive end Andre Torrey proved transfers can have success at Arizona. Torrey started every game last year, making 43 tackles, including 13 1/2 for loss and five sacks after transferring from Laney College in Oakland as part of the 2002 class. California coach Jeff Tedford planned, after he arrived following the 2001 season, to help plug holes by going the junior college route. "I expect them to be impact players right away," Tedford said at the time. "I expect them to make a difference. We wouldn't be recruiting JC guys unless we felt that they could play immediately." The Bears signed eventual first-round NFL draft pick Aaron Rodgers and second-rounder J.J. Arrington in the 2003 class out of junior colleges. Rodgers' quarterback exploits are a major reason for California's reversal of fortunes, especially with the Bears having a 1-10 record in 2001. Arrington was a 2,000-yard rusher a year ago. Those are two of the biggest names, but also emerging from the 2003 class were Ryan Riddle, who broke Cal's season record for sacks with 14 1/2. Tight end Garrett Cross was the team's third-leading receiver a year ago. Linebacker Joe Maningo made 45 tackles. Going the JC route and mixing the transfers with high school stars, has been the right combination for a team that has won 11 straight regular-season games.
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