Former Central LB Wagner transfers to Arizona

After leaving Akron, Brian Wagner will play under Rich Rodriguez.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:20 PM Monday, January 9, 2012

Brian Wagner won’t have to worry about winter weather this semester. He’s trading the chill of northern Ohio for desert heat.

The former University of Akron linebacker and Catholic Central grad is transferring to the University of Arizona, where he’ll join the team immediately as a graduate student.

“There wasn’t a lot of success (at Akron) for whatever reason,” Wagner said. “I had a great experience and a lot of fun. I just felt it was time to go ahead and look at different options.”

Wagner, who graduated in December with a degree in interdisiciplinary studies, asked to be released after coach Rob Ianello was fired after back-to-back 1-10 seasons.

He was contacted by several different schools in need of a linebacker, but committed to Arizona after a recruiting trip this weekend. He’ll begin class Wednesday and plans to major in biostatistics.

“I loved their situation academically, and I loved their situation football-wise at the linebacker position,” Wagner said. “I’m real excited. I think it’s the best decision for me.”

He’ll play for former Michigan and West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, who was hired in late November after Mark Stoops was fired midway through the season.

Wagner will fill a need right away in the Wildcats’ 3-3-5 defensive scheme, which he played during his redshirt season at Akron.

“They think I can play any of the three linebacker positions,” Wagner said. “Hopefully I can help the team out right away. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Wagner tallied 147 tackles in 11 games last season, an average of 13.36 per game. He was second in the nation behind Boston College’s Luke Kuechly, who’ll turn pro, making Wagner the nation’s leading returning tackler in 2012.

He’ll also make the jump from the Mid-American Conference to the Pac-12, where the Wildcats will play major college powerhouses Oklahoma State, Southern Cal, Oregon and Stanford.

“We’ll play big teams every week,” Wagner said. “It’s going to be awesome. I’m really excited. I just want to get to work.”

The move could also help Wagner impress NFL scouts, but that’s not something he’s worried about at this point.

“If it happens, it happens. Nothing’s ever guaranteed,” Wagner said. “I just want the college experience to be a little better than it has been. I’m excited to get out to Arizona.”

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