Rodriguez won’t say which QB is starting

Quarterback naturally was a big topic of discussion on Monday after Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez listed Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins as costarters on the Week 1 depth chart a day earlier.

Rodriguez said he considers both players to be starting-caliber. Rodriguez isn’t planning on announcing who will start, although the players – in particular the quarterbacks – are expected to find out sometime this week. Kickoff for the opener against BYU is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Rodriguez said at the start of training camp that he would hold off on making an announcement until the very last minute, and he seems to be holding true to that vow.

Never mind that numerous other coaches named their quarterbacks last week, including BYU coach Kalani Sitake, who named Taysom Hill starting quarterback.

Solomon, who has started for most of the past two seasons, took the first snap in the annual “Beanie Bowl” event for UA students Thursday. Of course, somebody had to.

Solomon entered spring and fall as the favorite, thanks to a sizable edge in experience. But Dawkins has stayed in the mix.

Is Rodriguez really willing to take a chance on Dawkins’ upside, benching a 25-game starter? We’ll finally find out Saturday night.

Noteworthy

Other news of note from Monday:

Sophomore Shun Brown is capable of playing three receiver positions, and his consistency is what gave him the nod as the No. 4 wideout behind Samajie Grant, Trey Griffeyand Nate Phillips. Freshman Devaughn Cooper will be part of the receiver rotation, Rodriguez said.

Regarding transfer Zach Benjamin’s appeal for immediate eligibility, Rodriguez said: “We’re not too optimistic right now.”

After not playing last season at South Florida, Benjamin transferred to the UA and is paying his own way. Yet the receiver remains subject to the NCAA’s transfer rules, which require most student-athletes to sit out one season.