Arizona Football: How far can Khalil Tate carry Wildcats?

Defense

The return of nine starters from the 2017 Wildcats defense could be both a blessing and a curse for this year’s Arizona squad. That much returning experience would usually appear to be a great thing. Yet the Wildcats were hardly impressive against opposing offenses last season.

Arizona ranked outside the top 100 defenses in the 129-team FBS in both points and yards allowed. The Wildcats gave up an average of 34.4 points and more than 470 yards per game to their 13 opponents.

Sumlin elected to retain defensive coordinator Marcel Yates. The new head coach is counting on experience and continuity to at least help reduce mental errors and allow improvement on the Arizona defense in 2018.

Focusing on Kylan Wilborn

The catalyst for any possible improvement in 2018 will probably be the team’s top edge rusher. Kylan Wilborn made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2017, leading the Wildcats with seven sacks and finishing second on the team with nine tackles for loss.

With a second season in the 4-2-5 scheme favored by Yates, Wilborn should become even more comfortable in an expanding role. The hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker has the potential to top 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss if he continues on the same developmental path.

As a converted defensive back and running back, Wilborn is still developing physically as well. As he adds more weight to his speed on the edge, Wilborn could evolve into one of the top edge rushers in the Pac-12 and the entire country as a sophomore.