There's been another wave of commitments in recent weeks that has helped Arizona, but it has also taken some names off the board for the Wildcats as some of the program's targets have opted to look elsewhere for their college careers.
Here's a quick rundown of the notable UA targets in the 2021 class that are no longer available.
Receivers
Others: Deamikkio Nathan (Utah), John Paul Richardson (Oklahoma State), Keontez Lewis (UCLA), CJ Guidry (Houston)
Offensive linemen
Others: Logan Taylor (Virginia)
Defensive linemen
Others: David Gusta (flip from Fresno State to Washington State), Omarion Fa'amoe (Oregon State), Jonathan Jones (Missouri)
Outside linebackers
Others: Jayhvion Gipson (Washington State), (Tyriek Bell (Hawaii), KJ Cloyd (Louisville), Jackie Marshall (Baylor)
Inside linebackers
Cornerbacks
Others: Chance Tucker (Notre Dame), Charlotin Charles (Fresno State)
Athletes
Others: Jaden Hicks (Washington State), Marques Buford (Nebraska), Kaden Dudley (Boise State)
Specialists
Some of the most notable losses for the Wildcats include Mason Starling (FIU), Deamikkio Nathan (Utah), Marcus Mbow (ASU), Daniel Robledo (Missouri), Moses Oladejo (Cal), Chase Lowery (Arkansas), Mitch Leigber (Stanford). Arizona was pretty well involved with each of those prospects throughout the process and had been sitting in a decent position with each recruit.
Nathan is someone who had been giving the Wildcats a good look and at one point sounded like a prospect who was leaning toward UA, but instead he goes to a Pac-12 foe. Starling is someone the Wildcats had continues to look at throughout the process and there had been a good amount of effort put into his recruitment. He would have helped add some size to the receiver group on the outside, but instead he will bypass the Power Five level to play at FIU.
Arizona State landing several Arizona targets is certainly not going to make the Wildcats feel good, but the big one who could have helped the Wildcats address some needs up front is Mbow who will make the move from Wisconsin to the desert to play for the Sun Devils.
Losing Robledo obviously is one that will sting the Wildcats considering the junior college defensive lineman played his high school football in Tucson at Cholla. UA can use another big defensive lineman and he would have been a nice fit for the program. The thinking was that his recruitment would come down to UA and UCLA but instead he shifted course and went with an SEC program, Missouri.
Things changed for Arizona when Oladejo picked up an offer from Cal. It was the one offer that could have swayed his recruitment at this stage of the process. UA is not exactly hurting for outside linebackers, but adding the Northern California-based recruit would have helped strengthen the group it has already built so far in the class. Instead, he’s staying close to home and will play in the Pac-12 at another school.
Lowery is someone the Wildcat would have liked to have added in the 2021 class. He fits the profile of what the staff is looking for in a defensive back. There had been plenty of interest on both sides, but as the process moved along it became clear that it was going to be an uphill battle for Kevin Sumlin and Co. Ultimately the Frisco, Texas standout picked Arkansas earlier this month.
Leigber picking Stanford is not a huge shock. The Cardinal had been among the favorites even before fully jumping into the picture with an offer. The Laguna Hills standout defensive back prospect had kept his options somewhat open, however, and Arizona remained in the running until the end. There is a good relationship between the two sides, but the academics and opportunity at Stanford was always going to be difficult for UA to overcome.
Here's a quick rundown of the notable UA targets in the 2021 class that are no longer available.
Receivers
Others: Deamikkio Nathan (Utah), John Paul Richardson (Oklahoma State), Keontez Lewis (UCLA), CJ Guidry (Houston)
Offensive linemen
Others: Logan Taylor (Virginia)
Defensive linemen
Others: David Gusta (flip from Fresno State to Washington State), Omarion Fa'amoe (Oregon State), Jonathan Jones (Missouri)
Outside linebackers
Others: Jayhvion Gipson (Washington State), (Tyriek Bell (Hawaii), KJ Cloyd (Louisville), Jackie Marshall (Baylor)
Inside linebackers
Cornerbacks
Others: Chance Tucker (Notre Dame), Charlotin Charles (Fresno State)
Athletes
Others: Jaden Hicks (Washington State), Marques Buford (Nebraska), Kaden Dudley (Boise State)
Specialists
Some of the most notable losses for the Wildcats include Mason Starling (FIU), Deamikkio Nathan (Utah), Marcus Mbow (ASU), Daniel Robledo (Missouri), Moses Oladejo (Cal), Chase Lowery (Arkansas), Mitch Leigber (Stanford). Arizona was pretty well involved with each of those prospects throughout the process and had been sitting in a decent position with each recruit.
Nathan is someone who had been giving the Wildcats a good look and at one point sounded like a prospect who was leaning toward UA, but instead he goes to a Pac-12 foe. Starling is someone the Wildcats had continues to look at throughout the process and there had been a good amount of effort put into his recruitment. He would have helped add some size to the receiver group on the outside, but instead he will bypass the Power Five level to play at FIU.
Arizona State landing several Arizona targets is certainly not going to make the Wildcats feel good, but the big one who could have helped the Wildcats address some needs up front is Mbow who will make the move from Wisconsin to the desert to play for the Sun Devils.
Losing Robledo obviously is one that will sting the Wildcats considering the junior college defensive lineman played his high school football in Tucson at Cholla. UA can use another big defensive lineman and he would have been a nice fit for the program. The thinking was that his recruitment would come down to UA and UCLA but instead he shifted course and went with an SEC program, Missouri.
Things changed for Arizona when Oladejo picked up an offer from Cal. It was the one offer that could have swayed his recruitment at this stage of the process. UA is not exactly hurting for outside linebackers, but adding the Northern California-based recruit would have helped strengthen the group it has already built so far in the class. Instead, he’s staying close to home and will play in the Pac-12 at another school.
Lowery is someone the Wildcat would have liked to have added in the 2021 class. He fits the profile of what the staff is looking for in a defensive back. There had been plenty of interest on both sides, but as the process moved along it became clear that it was going to be an uphill battle for Kevin Sumlin and Co. Ultimately the Frisco, Texas standout picked Arkansas earlier this month.
Leigber picking Stanford is not a huge shock. The Cardinal had been among the favorites even before fully jumping into the picture with an offer. The Laguna Hills standout defensive back prospect had kept his options somewhat open, however, and Arizona remained in the running until the end. There is a good relationship between the two sides, but the academics and opportunity at Stanford was always going to be difficult for UA to overcome.
