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1. I feel confident in saying that Brent Brennan and his staff have assembled a better quarterback room behind Noah Fifita.

Braedyn Locke didn’t put up eye-popping numbers , but he has power-conference experience and the acumen to pick up a new scheme in rapid fashion. Offensive coordinator Seth Doege said he’s been able to install 90% of the offense thanks to Fifita and Locke’s ability to absorb and process information — a stunningly high figure.

Freshman Sawyer Anderson is an undersized but twitchy athlete with a quick, three-quarters release. You can tell he’s played the style of football that demands knowing where the ball is going and getting it there as quickly as possible.

2. Receiver Javin Whatley has been a pleasant surprise.

I was a bit skeptical of Whatley coming from the FCS level (Chattanooga) and coming off his worst season in terms of average per catch, drop rate and contested-catch rate ().

So far, he’s shown that he belongs, displaying speed, quickness, agility and the ability to separate from defenders. I’ve seen Whatley drop only one pass — on a play where he was well behind the defense for a would-be touchdown.

The competition is fierce in a revamped receiver room, but at the rate he’s going, I’d be surprised if Whatley doesn’t have a prominent role.

3. Second-year receiver Brandon Phelps might be ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s most improved player.

Phelps, who redshirted last season, looks bigger, stronger and more confident. On Saturday, he showed the ability to make a contested catch on a sideline pass — then displayed excellent technique on an inbreaking route in one-on-ones.

Phelps set the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ state high school record with 4,971 receiving yards. That doesn’t happen by accident. I could see him working his way into the mix as a big-bodied “Xâ€� receiver as soon as this season.

4. Transfers Tristan Bounds and Ty Buchanan are getting a long look at the offensive tackle spots.

Bounds looks more like a power forward than an offensive tackle. He’s long (6-foot-8) and relatively lean (listed at 291 pounds, although OL coach Josh Oglesby said Bounds is an even 300). That length should help him against edge rushers. It remains to be seen whether he has sufficient power to be an effective run blocker.

Fitness is paramount in Doege’s up-tempo system. But Bounds is the only offensive linemen on the current roster listed at under 300 — while also being the tallest. It’ll be interesting to see what changes, if any, Bounds makes to his body over the summer.

5. If it’s possible for a player to impress without taking a single snap, offensive lineman Rhino Tapa’atoutai is doing that.

On the mend from a torn ACL suffered last October — an injury that made a scuffling UA offense that much worse — Tapa’atoutai has looked fantastic while participating in sprints and other rehab-related activities. You wouldn’t even know which leg was hurt as Tapa’atoutai isn’t wearing a brace or sleeve.

Where Tapa’atoutai fits into the O-line puzzle remains to be seen. He played left tackle last season. I could see him sliding to guard if Bounds and Buchanan pan out. I could also see Tapa’atoutai reclaiming his left tackle job, creating a competition between Bounds and Buchanan on the other side.

6. It’s impossible to overstate just how different the offense is under Doege.

Everything is geared toward moving fast, getting the ball out quickly and creating space for playmakers to gain yards.

I’ve seen more passes to the short and intermediate areas between the numbers in five practices than all of last season. (OK, that might be a slight exaggeration — but you get the point.)

Even the run plays have a quicker-hitting tempo. And the use of zone-read actions will give defenses something to think about on almost every play.

How well it all comes together remains to be seen, especially with the offensive line in flux. I’m certain it’ll be significantly better — and much more fun to watch — than last year’s unit.

7. Tell me if you’ve heard this before: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s defensive coordinator or D-line coach says he plans to use eight-plus defensive linemen ... and then it never really happens.

The 2023 ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ had the most robust rotation of any team I’ve covered in my time here (nine years and counting) and also the best run defense. Not a coincidence.

I’m not sure yet whether ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ has the personnel to implement a true rotation, but I liked how specific new defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales was in discussing it. He wants the starters to play about 35 snaps a game, the backups about 25 and the development players a handful — with the best players being on the field in the most critical moments.

That’s more than lip service. It’s a plan.

8. It’s jarring to see Chase Kennedy in a new number (he’s gone from 11 to 7) and a new stance.

Kennedy played from a standup position often last season but was typically in a pass-rushing posture. Now he’s a full-time linebacker, which suits his size (6-3, 228) and athleticism.

How Gonzales plans to deploy Kennedy and similarly built newcomer Riley Wilson (6-2, 233) remains to be seen. Both can rush the passer. But Gonzales talked about the advantages of pre-snap disguise, so it might not be that simple.

I’ve heard good things about Wilson in terms of his athleticism, and he appears to have a nasty streak. He got into it with offensive players on three separate occasions during Thursday’s practice.

9. Junior safety Genesis Smith is my early pick for ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s breakout player.

Smith showed promising signs as a sophomore, especially in the area of takeaways: He led the team in combined interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries (six). But Smith also struggled in coverage at times.

In his defense, Smith had to play multiple positions. Now he’s home, playing free safety, or “Bear,� as Gonzales dubbed it. Smith’s ability to size up a play, attack the ball and put a hit on a receiver is rare. He’s headed for an All-Big 12 type of season.

10. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ has a big hole to fill at placekicker, where NFL Combine participant Tyler Loop performed at an all-conference level last season.

The two candidates, for now, are Michael Salgado-Medina and Cash Peterman. Salgado-Medina served as the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™ holder and primary punter last season, and he appears to have improved at the latter. Salgado-Medina’s get-off looks quicker, his hangtime has been more consistent and he’s done a good job of angling punts toward the sidelines.

Jordan Forbes, Salgado-Medina’s main competitor at punter, also appears to have taken a step forward but hasn’t been quite as consistent.

Salgado-Medina looked a little tentative in his first round of field goal attempts Saturday before booting the ball more assertively in the second round. In terms of pedigree and talent, he’s the favorite for the job.

The question is: Can he do all three jobs — placekicking, punting and kickoffs? I can’t imagine that’s the desired outcome. The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ have an incoming freshman in Tyler Prasuhn, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they added a veteran via the portal.