Arizona 2014 news

Arizona will add an experienced piece to its offensive line a year earlier than expected.

Freddie Tagaloa confirmed to the Bay Area News Group Monday that he won an appeal late last month and will be transfer into Arizona from Cal. Because he was transferring within the Pac-12, the offensive lineman would’ve been required to sit out the next two seasons.

Instead, the successful appeal will allow Tagaloa to, after sitting out the 2014 season, play in 2015.

Arizona picks up LSU transfer Jordan Allen

The same month he transferred one FBS program, Jordan Allen has landed at another.

The defensive end confirmed to the Arizona Daily Star Tuesday that he has decided to play his final season of college football at Arizona. The graduate transfer from LSU will be eligible to play immediately in 2014.

Back in April of 2012, it was reported that Nick Isham would be transferring from Louisiana Tech. Just over two years later, it’s lather, rinse and repeat for the quarterback.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, Isham informed the Arizona coaching staff that he has decided to leave the Wildcats and will transfer elsewhere to continue his playing career. Isham had transferred to Arizona in July of 2012, then sat out that season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.

Monday, former Illinois back Dami Ayoola announced that he has committed to continuing his FBS career in 2015 with the Wildcats after spending 2014 in the JUCO ranks. A day later, former UNLV and Northwestern running back Adonis Smith confirmed to the Arizona Daily Star that he will play for the Wildcats as well.

Unlike Ayoola, however, Smith is expected to be granted immediate eligibility and play in 2014.

Defensive tackle Kirifi Taula is no longer with the Arizona Wildcats because of lingering medical issues

The Wildcats did gain some depth at the DT position recently. Aiulua Fanene and Saneilia Fuimaono have both officially been added to Arizona’s roster. Fanene and Fuimaono will return this season after serving a mission the past two years. Fanene was added to the roster last month. Fuimaono was added this week.

According to Arizona’s online roster, Fuimaono will wear No. 89 and Fanene will wear No. 98, which was occupied by Tevin Hood last season.

Garic Wharton is on the move.

The Arizona Wildcats receiver has left the program with one season of eligibility remaining. The Las Vegas native had 17 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt junior last season.

Wharton graduated from the UA last month and is eligible to play right away if he decides to transfer to another university.

UA running back Pierre Cormier revealed that he is stepping away from the game of football. An unspecified health issue is the culprit.

Arizona safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant, a defensive leader for the 2013 Wildcats, will no longer be a part of the defensive secondary for Arizona in 2014. Head coach Rich Rodriguez announced Bondurant is no longer with the team due to some disciplinary issues

A day after deciding to leave the program, Arizona safety Tra'Mayne Bondurant has changed his mind and will begin the process of returning to the team.

WR Darrell Cloy Will not enroll
DB Devon Brewer Will not enroll
DB Jace Whittaker Knee injury out for year

Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez named a starting quarterback Monday, but the coach is not fully committing to him.

“Anu Solomon will be the starter Friday night,” Rodriguez said during his first weekly news conference of the season. “That doesn’t mean that he plays the whole game and that he will be the starter the rest of the season. But I also don’t want any quarterback to ever go in thinking as soon as I make a mistake I’m coming out.”

Jordan Allen‘s stay in the desert didn’t last nearly as long as expected.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, the defensive end was one of two Arizona football players to leave the football program recently. No reason was given for the decision, although the Star did indicate that Allen is likely done with football.

Allen started the first game of the year for the Wildcats, although his playing time has dipped dramatically since. It’s unclear if that was the impetus for his decision.

In addition to Allen, linebacker Mekani Kema-Kaleiwahea has left the program as well. Kema-Kaleiwahea, who would like to transfer to a place closer to his home in Hawaii, has been buried on the depth chart after competing in summer camp for a starting job.