Seven Wildcats Earn Preseason Football Nods

By Arizona Athletics, May 18, 2012

Three key parts of the UA offense were recognized, with four members of the defense also earning recognition.

Junior Jake Fischer (Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics)

Seven members of the University of Arizona football team earned spots on Phil Steele's 2012 Preseason All-Pac-12 Teams, the national magazine has announced. Three key parts of the UA offense were recognized, with four members of the defense also earning recognition.

For the offense, senior center Kyle Quinn was named to the second team, and senior quarterback Matt Scott and senior receiver Dan Buckner were named to the third team.

Defensively, junior defensive tackle Justin Washington, junior linebacker Jake Fischer and junior safety Marquis Flowers held spots on the second team, while junior cornerback Shaquille Richardson earned a third-team nod.

Arizona welcomes back 54 lettermen from the previous seasons, including 2011 Pac-12 Honorable Mention kicker John Bonano and Quinn, 2010 Freshman All-America Washington and Scott.

The UA boasts 33 players with starting experience. Currently, there are 44 designated freshmen – coming in from high school, from a redshirt season or time spent on the scout team – on the UA roster.

The Wildcats officially will open the 2012 season with a game vs. Toledo, on Sept. 1 at Arizona Stadium.