Brian Wagner Leaves Arizona Wildcats

The projected starting middle linebacker for Rich Rodriguez's Arizona Wildcats 3-3-5 defense has left the team, apparently citing personal reasons for his decision. Wagner was interviewed by the TucsonCitizen.com on Friday, telling them, "I don't have love for the game anymore. I told Coach that, and that was it. It was something I was thinking about for a long time. That's kind of where I'm at right now." He finished with, "I think I'm done with football."

The Akron transfer to Arizona earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2011, finishing with 147 tackles in 11 games. His 13.36 tackles per game average finished second to only Luke Kuechly in the country. The 6'0, 230 pound middle linebacker enrolled at Arizona and had been running as the starter at his position during spring practices. Outside of junior Jake Fischer, the Wildcats are now very inexperienced at linebacker going into 2012.

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