Tate among ESPN’s most improved players from 2016 recruiting class
Jan 25, 2018, 7:02 AM
Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate, front, runs for a touchdown past Colorado linebacker Drew Lewis, back left, and defensive back Evan Worthington in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. Arizona won 45-42. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
It’s safe to say that Arizona junior quarterback Khalil Tate has improved since his recruitment days.
Going from a four-star recruit to a potential Heisman Trophy candidate two years later, Tate’s rise continues in Tucson.
That jump in status makes it no surprise to see him on ESPN’s list of most improved players from the 2016 recruiting class.
Tate was a four-star, dual-threat prospect out of California with a good-sized offer list who chose Arizona as his landing spot. He is an interesting player because he was so explosive for Arizona but didn’t open the season as the starter his second year. It took Brandon Dawkins’ injury to give Tate the time to show what he can do, and he put on a show the rest of the way.
He earned four straight Pac-12 Player of the Week awards, ran for 327 yards against Colorado, threw for 14 touchdowns and ran for 12 more. Tate ranked fourth in quarterback rushing yards behind Army’s Ahmad Bradshaw, 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and Navy’s Zach Abey. He did all of that while attempting only nine passes and running the ball 10 times through the first four games.
Even more eyeballs than expected will be on Tate in his hyped-up junior campaign, as he will play under new head coach Kevin Sumlin.
He threw for 1,591 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but was more known for his work on the ground, where he rushed for 1,411 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Tate could form a dynamic duo with sophomore running back J.J. Taylor, who ran for 847 yards and five touchdowns in a limited role as a redshirt freshman. Taylor only had over 15 carries in two games, splitting duties with seniors Nick Wilson and Zach Green.
In addition to Tate and Taylor, the team will also get back their two leading receivers. Tony Ellison and Shun Brown are both entering their senior years. Ellison had 37 catches for 598 yards and five touchdowns while Brown caught 43 balls for 573 yards and six touchdowns.
