Arizona football: DaVonte' Neal moving from wide receiver to corner for Wildcats

Rich Rodriguez was holding his National Signing Day press conference, and then out of nowhere, dropped some actual news involving current Arizona Wildcats. Coach announced that DaVonte' Neal will be moving from wide receiver to corner back in 2015.

"Two hours ago, (Neal) got moved over to defense at his request and my approval," Rodriguez said.

Neal was fifth on the team in catches last season with 27, and sixth on the team in receiving yards with 214. Only one player above him in both of those categories, Austin Hill, does not return next season.

"We need some help in the secondary, and he wants to play over there, and I think he can play over there. And he'll still probably play some offense."

On the defensive side of the ball, the biggest questions for Arizona heading into 2015 will be the secondary, and this seems like it will be a move that will sure up those holes a little bit. Neal has incredible speed, but in 2014, didn't show that he had the hands that it takes to be an elite receiver at the college level.

"Hopefully he'll learn and be able to contribute there," coach said of DaVonte'. "I bring that up now as an example of some of the guys that we've got here who can do that."

Neal did play some corner at high school at Chaparral.

One recruit who's coming in to sure up the depth at receiver is Cedric Peterson, and coach Rodriguez confirmed that's where he'll start his collegiate career.

"I think that's where (Peterson) wants to go, but as he develops, if it looks like he'll play more on this side, all these guys are willing to do that."

Rodriguez also attributed the move to the fact that Arizona plays twelve consecutive weeks without a bye week in 2015, and the defense will need more bodies to deal with the physical toll that will take on the team.