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Two precedents were set in the news coming out of Wednesday's Arizona Wildcats football practice. Per the Arizona Daily Star:
1. Running back Daniel Jenkins will start in front of Ka'Deem Carey, who was suspended for the 2013 season opener.
2. Two freshmen linebackers will quit the sport after suffering from concussions.
The first precedent set was about representing the school and the team well. Carey obviously didn't do that with his legal issues this offseason. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Jenkins, who has spent his entire career as a promising backup. Where things haven't fallen in his favor, he ultimately decided against transferring to Washington State. Now that loyalty has paid off, even if it's more a symbolic start -- Carey is still expected to play.
In a different sort of news, linebackers C.J. Dozier and Dakota Conwell won't return to the football field after struggling through concussion issues. It being their sophomore years in college and considering neither played really significant minutes, it makes one wonder how often these types of admissions should be aired and don't. It's good then, that Rodriguez is allowing them to remain on scholarship -- and putting the individual before the football team.
All of the above puts some good vibes out there. Rodriguez's program, like the hoops program, is about the players and in both examples above, it goes beyond the product on the field.