This is likely to be the last big official visit weekend of the month, though there is one weekend after that when recruits will be allowed to visit campus before another dead period in July, and it will be another significant one for the Wildcats with many more priority targets expected on campus in Tucson. Some have been busy taking other official visits while others have been less busy and will be making either first official visit of the process this weekend. Here's a rundown of the prospects expected to visit Arizona, and a little bit about where things stand with each heading into the trips.
Top competition: Nebraska
Rundown: The four-star prospect from the Northeast was already committed to play for Don Brown once before at Michigan. After the new Arizona DC left that program for Tucson, Martin backed off his pledge before the Wildcats abruptly offered. He quickly decided to make the visit out to Arizona to see things in person, but he has yet to meet the entire staff in person since his connection is mostly with Brown. That will change this weekend, and it could be the visit that ultimately decides his commitment. Martin visited Nebraska last weekend and told HuskerOnline that the visit was "incredible," and he certainly had a lot of positive things to say about that experience. His plan right now is only to use one more official visit on a trip to UA that will begin Friday before potentially taking some unofficial visits ahead of a decision. Right now Arizona and Nebraska are the front runners making this weekend's visit to UA of utmost importance. The relationship is already established and that could end up being a key aspect of the entire process.
Top competition: Illinois, West Virginia, Michigan State
Rundown: The in-state receiver, who previously played at Saguaro High, is now at IMG Academy in Florida and will be one of three expected visitors from his current school in town at Arizona this weekend. Miller has continued to remain in contact with the coaching staff throughout the process, and he has built a solid relationship with Jedd Fisch and wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings. The pull to return home to desert is certainly strong, and he recently told us that his father is going through some health issues making the appeal of returning to Arizona strong as well. Arizona is certainly in a great position right now, but he genuinely likes his other options. A home run by the Arizona staff should be able to get it done, however, so it is an important visit as the Wildcats would certainly like to add the versatile receiver. He has already visited Illinois and West Virginia on official visits with a trip to Michigan State expected to take place next weekend.
Top competition: Virginia, Michigan State, Colorado
Rundown: The Colorado native is one of the other IMG standouts making the trek to Arizona, and he is someone who is already starting to look hard at making a decision. Along with Trevon Howard, Willie is focused on a few select programs with an official visit to Virginia already taking place and a visit to Michigan State coming up next weekend. Arizona has made a strong impression on the cornerback recruit since offering him back in April. Now, he is ready to see things in person and get a better feel for the program alongside two of his teammates. The duo will make the trips to Arizona and Michigan State together, and they have some other options in common as well including Colorado. Arizona is looking to load up on cornerbacks in this class after taking just one in the last cycle, so the recent decision by Kyron Chambers shouldn't change much about the pursuit of Willie.
Top competition: Michigan State, Iowa State, Northwestern, Colorado
Rundown: The last member of the IMG crew to visit this weekend is the safety originally from Minnesota. Howard has been an Arizona target for quite some time and has built a strong relationship with the coaching staff leading to his decision to include the Wildcats on his previously-released top list. The safety recruit has strong Midwest roots so programs closer to home have certainly grabbed his attention, but the Wildcats have remained in the mix and are giving him a lot to think about. He's doubling up on official visits this week with a trip out to Northwestern currently taking place before he comes to Arizona this weekend. Having Howard and Willie on campus at the same time is certainly going to be beneficial for the Wildcats, and I anticipate a similar treatment from the staff for the trio from IMG that the Servite trio of Noah Fifita, Tetairoa McMillan and Keyan Burnett received last week.
Top competition: Oklahoma State, Missouri
Rundown: Arizona cornerbacks coach DeWayne Walker has made Texas one of the priority states when it comes to defensive backs in this class. McKinney has been one of the targets under consideration longest, and he now has a key visit in his recruitment coming up this weekend as he sees Tucson for the first time. The Colleyville Heritage High standout is focused on three programs right now with Oklahoma State already having him out on campus for an official visit last week. That has generated quite a bit of buzz about the Cowboys being the leader meaning the Wildcats will have to make the trip out to Arizona a strong one. Missouri has confidence as well, so his recruitment could hinge on what happens the rest of this month.
Top competition: Auburn, ASU, UCLA, Florida State, Iowa State
Rundown: The in-state tight end from Brophy is not in a big rush to make any moves in his recruitment, but it is still important for the Wildcats to get him on campus for an official visit this month. The connection between Jordan Paopao and Powell goes back to last year when the current UA tight end's coach offered the junior when he was at UNLV. That familiarity and early attention certainly could end up being a big deal for the Wildcats. UCLA has been involved quite a bit, but is full on tight ends at this stage leaving the door open for the Wildcats. A good visit could end up speeding up the process.
Top competition: ASU, UCF, SDSU
Rundown: The Hawaii-based offensive lineman is a newer name on the list as his offer from Arizona only came in recently. He's a big offensive lineman who has gained interest from several programs around the country, and now Arizona has turned up the heat with him. He's a big offensive lineman with some versatility, and the Wildcats are certainly moving quickly with him as he is already expected to be on campus this weekend. The wide range of Power Five offers have not made their way to him, so there is certainly a spot for the Wildcats to move at a fast pace to earn a commitment from him.
Top competition: UCLA, USC, Oregon, Virginia, Northwestern
Rundown: Arizona has continued to look at Utah as an area where it wants to focus recruiting attention, and one of the next prospects from the state to make his way to Arizona is the linebacker from Corner Canyon High in Draper. Taggart's recruitment has started to gain some steam heading into the summer, so he is not in a big rush to make a decision. The trip to Arizona is his first official visit of the process and the plan is to use all of them before coming to a decision. He also plans on waiting until he can see some teams play this season before locking in his pledge. As of now the plan is to only use one official visit this summer on his trip to Tucson and save the rest for the fall. That could end up being a good thing for the Wildcats as it will be the one big trip he can sit and think about until the fall. The high three-star linebacker would be one of the top prospects in the class if Arizona can ultimately land him.
Top competition: Nevada
Rundown: It is no secret that Arizona wants to load up on tight ends in this cycle. The position has been one of the most targeted ones by the new coaching staff, and there have already been some big names at the position who have made the trip to UA. Newell is one of the prospects from the Pacific Northwest, and he will make his second official visit of the process when he sees Arizona in person this weekend. He has already made the trip to Nevada earlier this month, but the visit to Arizona will be his first official visit to a Power Five program. He will be someone to watch as it is clear that Nevada and Arizona are the two standout programs in his recruitment right now.
Top competition: Nebraska
Rundown: The four-star prospect from the Northeast was already committed to play for Don Brown once before at Michigan. After the new Arizona DC left that program for Tucson, Martin backed off his pledge before the Wildcats abruptly offered. He quickly decided to make the visit out to Arizona to see things in person, but he has yet to meet the entire staff in person since his connection is mostly with Brown. That will change this weekend, and it could be the visit that ultimately decides his commitment. Martin visited Nebraska last weekend and told HuskerOnline that the visit was "incredible," and he certainly had a lot of positive things to say about that experience. His plan right now is only to use one more official visit on a trip to UA that will begin Friday before potentially taking some unofficial visits ahead of a decision. Right now Arizona and Nebraska are the front runners making this weekend's visit to UA of utmost importance. The relationship is already established and that could end up being a key aspect of the entire process.
Top competition: Illinois, West Virginia, Michigan State
Rundown: The in-state receiver, who previously played at Saguaro High, is now at IMG Academy in Florida and will be one of three expected visitors from his current school in town at Arizona this weekend. Miller has continued to remain in contact with the coaching staff throughout the process, and he has built a solid relationship with Jedd Fisch and wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings. The pull to return home to desert is certainly strong, and he recently told us that his father is going through some health issues making the appeal of returning to Arizona strong as well. Arizona is certainly in a great position right now, but he genuinely likes his other options. A home run by the Arizona staff should be able to get it done, however, so it is an important visit as the Wildcats would certainly like to add the versatile receiver. He has already visited Illinois and West Virginia on official visits with a trip to Michigan State expected to take place next weekend.
Top competition: Virginia, Michigan State, Colorado
Rundown: The Colorado native is one of the other IMG standouts making the trek to Arizona, and he is someone who is already starting to look hard at making a decision. Along with Trevon Howard, Willie is focused on a few select programs with an official visit to Virginia already taking place and a visit to Michigan State coming up next weekend. Arizona has made a strong impression on the cornerback recruit since offering him back in April. Now, he is ready to see things in person and get a better feel for the program alongside two of his teammates. The duo will make the trips to Arizona and Michigan State together, and they have some other options in common as well including Colorado. Arizona is looking to load up on cornerbacks in this class after taking just one in the last cycle, so the recent decision by Kyron Chambers shouldn't change much about the pursuit of Willie.
Top competition: Michigan State, Iowa State, Northwestern, Colorado
Rundown: The last member of the IMG crew to visit this weekend is the safety originally from Minnesota. Howard has been an Arizona target for quite some time and has built a strong relationship with the coaching staff leading to his decision to include the Wildcats on his previously-released top list. The safety recruit has strong Midwest roots so programs closer to home have certainly grabbed his attention, but the Wildcats have remained in the mix and are giving him a lot to think about. He's doubling up on official visits this week with a trip out to Northwestern currently taking place before he comes to Arizona this weekend. Having Howard and Willie on campus at the same time is certainly going to be beneficial for the Wildcats, and I anticipate a similar treatment from the staff for the trio from IMG that the Servite trio of Noah Fifita, Tetairoa McMillan and Keyan Burnett received last week.
Top competition: Oklahoma State, Missouri
Rundown: Arizona cornerbacks coach DeWayne Walker has made Texas one of the priority states when it comes to defensive backs in this class. McKinney has been one of the targets under consideration longest, and he now has a key visit in his recruitment coming up this weekend as he sees Tucson for the first time. The Colleyville Heritage High standout is focused on three programs right now with Oklahoma State already having him out on campus for an official visit last week. That has generated quite a bit of buzz about the Cowboys being the leader meaning the Wildcats will have to make the trip out to Arizona a strong one. Missouri has confidence as well, so his recruitment could hinge on what happens the rest of this month.
Top competition: Auburn, ASU, UCLA, Florida State, Iowa State
Rundown: The in-state tight end from Brophy is not in a big rush to make any moves in his recruitment, but it is still important for the Wildcats to get him on campus for an official visit this month. The connection between Jordan Paopao and Powell goes back to last year when the current UA tight end's coach offered the junior when he was at UNLV. That familiarity and early attention certainly could end up being a big deal for the Wildcats. UCLA has been involved quite a bit, but is full on tight ends at this stage leaving the door open for the Wildcats. A good visit could end up speeding up the process.
Top competition: ASU, UCF, SDSU
Rundown: The Hawaii-based offensive lineman is a newer name on the list as his offer from Arizona only came in recently. He's a big offensive lineman who has gained interest from several programs around the country, and now Arizona has turned up the heat with him. He's a big offensive lineman with some versatility, and the Wildcats are certainly moving quickly with him as he is already expected to be on campus this weekend. The wide range of Power Five offers have not made their way to him, so there is certainly a spot for the Wildcats to move at a fast pace to earn a commitment from him.
Top competition: UCLA, USC, Oregon, Virginia, Northwestern
Rundown: Arizona has continued to look at Utah as an area where it wants to focus recruiting attention, and one of the next prospects from the state to make his way to Arizona is the linebacker from Corner Canyon High in Draper. Taggart's recruitment has started to gain some steam heading into the summer, so he is not in a big rush to make a decision. The trip to Arizona is his first official visit of the process and the plan is to use all of them before coming to a decision. He also plans on waiting until he can see some teams play this season before locking in his pledge. As of now the plan is to only use one official visit this summer on his trip to Tucson and save the rest for the fall. That could end up being a good thing for the Wildcats as it will be the one big trip he can sit and think about until the fall. The high three-star linebacker would be one of the top prospects in the class if Arizona can ultimately land him.
Top competition: Nevada
Rundown: It is no secret that Arizona wants to load up on tight ends in this cycle. The position has been one of the most targeted ones by the new coaching staff, and there have already been some big names at the position who have made the trip to UA. Newell is one of the prospects from the Pacific Northwest, and he will make his second official visit of the process when he sees Arizona in person this weekend. He has already made the trip to Nevada earlier this month, but the visit to Arizona will be his first official visit to a Power Five program. He will be someone to watch as it is clear that Nevada and Arizona are the two standout programs in his recruitment right now.
