UA Football Notes: Barnett will play nose tackle; hunt on for snapper

JOHN MOREDICH
Tucson Citizen

Some expected junior college transfer Byron Smith to be the Arizona football team's new nose guard, but he has been moved aside for Yaniv Barnett. - College Football -

Barnett is listed as the starter for Friday's game at Utah, along with defensive tackle Paul Philipp and ends Marcus Smith and Copeland Bryan in the defensive front. - College Football -

"Yaniv is a lot more physical than he was a year ago and a stronger presence," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "He is developing into a very good football player. He has made a lot of strides."

Barnett played in five games last year, making five tackles, two for losses.

Smith is listed behind Barnett, and Lionel Dotson is the backup to Philipp.

Long snapper gone

The Wildcats are breaking in a new long snapper after J.C. Zahradnik unexpectedly quit the team.

Stoops did not seem overly concerned and would not elaborate about Zahradnik.

"I like our snappers," Stoops said. "We will use a couple of guys. We will decide as we go through the week." - College Football -

Garen McHone, a walk-on junior, is the long snapper on this week's depth chart.

Coaching reunion

Former Wildcats offensive lineman and assistant coach Charlie Dickey is part of the Utes' staff.

Dickey, who was with the Washington Huskies a year ago, is coaching Utah's offensive front. As a player with the Wildcats from 1983-84, he took part in 1,230 consecutive plays.

Dickey coached the Wildcats' offensive line from 1992-2002 and the tight ends in 2003.

Former Arizona tight ends, running backs and special teams coach Jay Boulware, after two years at Stanford, has also landed at Utah. - College Football -