Jesse Scroggins transfers to Arizona from USC

One-time blue-chip recruit Jesse Scroggins is headed to the University of Arizona in a move that had been anticipated for some time but finally became official on Wednesday.

Scroggins comes to Arizona from Lakewood (CA) High School via USC and El Camino College. He originally enrolled at USC out of high school, but an injury and academic issues prevented him from competing to be Matt Barkley's backup and possible 2013 successor, so he transferred after spring practice in 2012. He spent the 2012 season with El Camino.

"He's a talented guy," Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez told the Tucson Citizen. "He's probably a little hungry to go out and prove himself. We're trying to create competition at every position, and he'll certainly bring that."

"I think he can make all the throws. And his arm is going to be stronger now than when he was out of high school, and his arm strength was good back then," Rodriguez said. "There will only be hand-wringing [over the starting quarterback] if we don't think we have two or three we think can play well enough to win."

Scroggins intends to participate in spring practice with the Wildcats and hopes to compete to succeed outgoing QB Matt Scott.