On Wednesday, the Arizona Wildcats hosted Matt Hegarty, a center who has announced he is transferring from Notre Dame.
Also, Matt Hegarty, a center from Notre Dame who announced he is transferring, visited Arizona today unofficially.
— Daniel Berk (@DSBerk) March 25, 2015
Some more info on Hegarty: He started 11 games for Notre Dame last year. Graduates in May. Can play right away. Just visiting UA today.
— Daniel Berk (@DSBerk) March 25, 2015
Hegarty visited Florida State last week. Originally from New Mexico. Has lots of options.
— Daniel Berk (@DSBerk) March 25, 2015
"For us, with transfers, you don't have to explain the college part of it," Rich Rodriguez said when comparing recruiting transfers to high schoolers. "You take a little different approach...a more mature approach with them in talking to them about opportunities and what the depth chart is and what role they can play."
Arizona loses three offensive lineman to graduation in 2015, and being able to stick an experienced guy in like Hegarty would be a potential boost to the offense's success this season.
"When you bring a fifth-year guy in, most of his development has already been done," Rodriguez added. "So it's just a matter of can he learn the system and what role can he fill."
Arizona already has a transfer working on becoming the starting center, David Catalano out of San Jose State.
"He's a strong kid," Rodriguez said of Catalano. "He came here and broke several of our records already so you can tell he likes the weight room. He's got a great attitude, and I think he just wanted a shot."
Catalano is learning how to snap, and spends a lot of time after practice with Kyle Quinn working on just that. Quinn played 42 games at center for Arizona, and was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection. He joined the coaching staff this winter.
When it comes to center, Arizona may end up having a couple of guys with previous college experience competing for that spot come fall. Add to that another transfer in Freddie Tagaloa, and the offensive line may end up being just fine.