Arizona Republic: Cal has had better luck than UA with juco recruits

John Moredich

Tucson Citizen

TUCSON - Going the junior college route for a quick fix has not worked out so 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 successful recruiting through the junior college ranks. The Wildcats were counting on at least a handful of JC players signed in December and February to be major contributors by the time they play at No. 12 California on Saturday at 4 p.m. advertisement 

None of the eight transfers has become starters; four are listed as backups on this week's depth chart. California has a built-in recruiting advantage, as City College of San Francisco, practically in Cal's back yard, has become a feeder school for the Bears. CCSF, 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 program after last season.

Ayoob is starting at quarterback, Bishop is leading the team in tackles with 32, and Hawkins had three receptions before being injured last week. The Wildcats got linebacker Randy Sims out of CCSF in 2004. He became a starter for UA a year ago, but he's been bothered by an ankle injury this season. He is expected to start against the Bears this week. After spring workouts, December signee Byron Smith worked his way into a starting role at defensive tackle, but he has fallen behind sophomore Yaniv Barnett and has only three tackles in the first three games. Smith and fellow JC transfer Rickey Parker were being counted on to bring size and strength to the front line, but neither has found much playing time in big situations. "Sure. You would have liked (more production)," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "Rickey 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." Safety Michael Johnson, who plays behind Darrell Brooks and Lamon Means, is making strides, and offensive lineman Adam Hawes is making gradual progress toward a possible starting assignment.

The Wildcats suffered a huge loss when transcript issues forced transfer receiver B.J. Vickers off the team. Among other JC transfers, long snapper J.C. Zahradnik quit before the first week of school concluded, 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' difficulties with JC recruits go back the past couple of years.  Sims was one of three JC players signed by Stoops when he first took over the job. Cornerback Kiel McDonald injured himself before last season started and is no longer with the team, and Dramayne McElroy is listed behind Wilrey Fontenot at one cornerback spot. UA signed eight JC transfers in 2003 under John Mackovic. Only defensive back Zeonte Sherman saw much action.