According to various reports this past week, All-Pac-10 and potential All-American candidate wide receiver Juron Criner could miss the upcoming Wildcats football season due to an undisclosed medical condition. Criner will likely miss pre-season workouts and practices, though nothing has been made official by Coach Stoops or the Athletic Department. The University of Arizona refused to comment on Criner's condition or situation when contacted for this story.
All of the speculation originated from Greg Hansen's weekly column where he had this to say in regards to Criner:
"...offsets concerns that All-Pac-10 receiver Juron Criner might not be available for training camp in August. Criner's status for the 2011 season remains uncertain because of undisclosed medical reasons."
Not too much has been reported since Hansen's original update from Sunday morning, but with football season just two months away, expect frequent updates and reports on Criner in the coming weeks. While it has been speculated that the condition is medical, it could also be a personal matter that needs attending to.
Criner, who checks in at a solid 6-4, 220lbs, will be a senior this upcoming year at UA and was expected to be one of the team's captains. A two-year starter, he had a monster season in 2010 catching 82 passes for 1,233 yards and 11 touchdowns. He caught 45 passes for 582 yards and 9 touchdowns the previous year as a sophomore.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Arizona for any and all breaking news surrounding Juron Criner and the Arizona Wildcats. For more coverage, be sure to check out Arizona Desert Swarm's take on the situation.