As the official start to summer approaches you all know that means more commitments and some Arizona targets have moved quickly here lately in making decisions. A couple even made their choices shortly after coming out with lists. As spots start to fill up it becomes a bit of a race to secure spots and for some that really just means a placeholder until they truly decide where they want to go later in the process. So just because a recruit made his pledge elsewhere doesn't mean UA is out of it.
Here is a rundown of some recent decisions and what the future chances for Arizona's staff to pull them away.
Cam Goode (Virginia Tech): The Washington D.C.-based defensive tackle trimmed his list down to eight schools less than two weeks ago and Arizona made that cut, but he quickly moved on a commitment with a local school as he went with the Hokies on Sunday which earned four commitments over the weekend. The Wildcats already had a visit in the works with Goode so this is one I wouldn't close the door on just yet. Just the vibe he gives off I doubt that this is the end of it with his recruitment and we'll see where things are in a few months.
Lance Robinson (Kansas State): Like Goode, Robinson trimmed his list in just the last few weeks as well and while he made sure to mention his recruitment was still wide open apparently that was a bit of a fib or Kansas State made a strong push in that time frame. K-State had him out for a visit and he pulled the trigger on Sunday. He still plans on taking other visits and has made that known to the coaching staff there so Arizona could still be in play with the defensive back recruit from Louisiana. This one doesn't feel like it's quite over just yet so it will be one to keep a close watch on as well.
Jack Plummer (Purdue): One in-state quarterback the Wildcats have been feeling pretty good about is the Gilbert standout. The 6-foot-5 recruit was recently on campus in Tucson for a visit and he had built a strong relationship with the Wildcats' staff. He is someone who was looking like he could eventually become that second commit at the position in the class for UA down the line, but late last week he decided to announce his decision to give the Boilermakers his pledge. Quarterbacks tend to be a bit harder to persuade but Arizona has established a good relationship with him so I don't think the door is completely closed with Plummer.
Brock Sturges (Arizona State): The Texas-based running back picked up his offer from Arizona not all that long ago and he quickly scheduled a visit since he was going to be coming to the state to see ASU. He did end up making his trip out to Tucson and Tempe last week and by the time things hit the weekend he was already ready to decide. The three-star recruit enjoyed his visit to Tempe and decided it was the right time because of his relationship with the staff there. One interesting thing to note is that he doesn't plan to sign in the December early period so Arizona could still have a shot. His close friend Christian Young is still looking at UA and the duo has talked about playing together. Now that could be a good thing for the Sun Devils but it could also work in UA's favor as well. It will be something to watch as things unfold.
Cameron Wire: (LSU): The Louisiana-based offensive tackle went with the local school Wednesday night. The 6-foot-7 three-star recruit picked up an offer from Arizona in the spring and with UA previously looking at Adrian Ealy from his school and working into the 2017 prospect's top two there were some signs that the Wildcats could at least be in play for Wire. Still, he had options and one of them was close to home with the Tigers. Louisiana recruits can be very tough to pull away from the SEC school and that was the case with the three-star offensive lineman. I would not expect Arizona to be too much in the mix now that his commitment has been made.
Jonathan Lolohea (Kansas): UA was not much in the discussion with the junior college defensive tackle and although it offered it was never a school that many felt he would end up at. Originally from Hawaii Lolohea is now playing in Mississippi so he has had a chance to get a better feel for a different part of the country and Kansas has certainly been right there all along in his recruitment. At 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds UA could certainly use his size up front, but it just hasn't been talked about as much in his recruitment. Since he could already start taking visits as a midyear enrollee this recruitment should be settled and I wouldn't expect Arizona to make a run at this stage.
Taylor Upshaw (Florida): The son of an NFLer who only started playing the game recently decided to stay closer to home and go with the Gators after a late offer came through a couple weeks ago. Upshaw released a top 10 a day before his offer from Florida came in and once it did it changed his recruitment. The high three-star then decided Saturday that he was ready to make his choice and gave the Gators his pledge. Oregon was the only Pac-12 school to make the list for the defensive end prospect so I wouldn't expect Arizona to make any kind of movement on him moving forward.
Jonathan King (Oregon): The Ducks picked up a commitment from a Florida-based defensive end so losing out on Upshaw won't hurt as much with the three-star prospect from Tampa giving Oregon his pledge on Friday keeping that connection from Florida to Eugene going for Willie Taggart and Co. The Wildcats have been trying to hit Tampa hard again in this cycle but King was one that didn't quite have a ton of buzz with the Wildcats. At this point Arizona has other options to look at, so we'll have to wait and see what happens but it sounds like a solid pledge right now.
Here is a rundown of some recent decisions and what the future chances for Arizona's staff to pull them away.
Cam Goode (Virginia Tech): The Washington D.C.-based defensive tackle trimmed his list down to eight schools less than two weeks ago and Arizona made that cut, but he quickly moved on a commitment with a local school as he went with the Hokies on Sunday which earned four commitments over the weekend. The Wildcats already had a visit in the works with Goode so this is one I wouldn't close the door on just yet. Just the vibe he gives off I doubt that this is the end of it with his recruitment and we'll see where things are in a few months.
Lance Robinson (Kansas State): Like Goode, Robinson trimmed his list in just the last few weeks as well and while he made sure to mention his recruitment was still wide open apparently that was a bit of a fib or Kansas State made a strong push in that time frame. K-State had him out for a visit and he pulled the trigger on Sunday. He still plans on taking other visits and has made that known to the coaching staff there so Arizona could still be in play with the defensive back recruit from Louisiana. This one doesn't feel like it's quite over just yet so it will be one to keep a close watch on as well.
Jack Plummer (Purdue): One in-state quarterback the Wildcats have been feeling pretty good about is the Gilbert standout. The 6-foot-5 recruit was recently on campus in Tucson for a visit and he had built a strong relationship with the Wildcats' staff. He is someone who was looking like he could eventually become that second commit at the position in the class for UA down the line, but late last week he decided to announce his decision to give the Boilermakers his pledge. Quarterbacks tend to be a bit harder to persuade but Arizona has established a good relationship with him so I don't think the door is completely closed with Plummer.
Brock Sturges (Arizona State): The Texas-based running back picked up his offer from Arizona not all that long ago and he quickly scheduled a visit since he was going to be coming to the state to see ASU. He did end up making his trip out to Tucson and Tempe last week and by the time things hit the weekend he was already ready to decide. The three-star recruit enjoyed his visit to Tempe and decided it was the right time because of his relationship with the staff there. One interesting thing to note is that he doesn't plan to sign in the December early period so Arizona could still have a shot. His close friend Christian Young is still looking at UA and the duo has talked about playing together. Now that could be a good thing for the Sun Devils but it could also work in UA's favor as well. It will be something to watch as things unfold.
Cameron Wire: (LSU): The Louisiana-based offensive tackle went with the local school Wednesday night. The 6-foot-7 three-star recruit picked up an offer from Arizona in the spring and with UA previously looking at Adrian Ealy from his school and working into the 2017 prospect's top two there were some signs that the Wildcats could at least be in play for Wire. Still, he had options and one of them was close to home with the Tigers. Louisiana recruits can be very tough to pull away from the SEC school and that was the case with the three-star offensive lineman. I would not expect Arizona to be too much in the mix now that his commitment has been made.
Jonathan Lolohea (Kansas): UA was not much in the discussion with the junior college defensive tackle and although it offered it was never a school that many felt he would end up at. Originally from Hawaii Lolohea is now playing in Mississippi so he has had a chance to get a better feel for a different part of the country and Kansas has certainly been right there all along in his recruitment. At 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds UA could certainly use his size up front, but it just hasn't been talked about as much in his recruitment. Since he could already start taking visits as a midyear enrollee this recruitment should be settled and I wouldn't expect Arizona to make a run at this stage.
Taylor Upshaw (Florida): The son of an NFLer who only started playing the game recently decided to stay closer to home and go with the Gators after a late offer came through a couple weeks ago. Upshaw released a top 10 a day before his offer from Florida came in and once it did it changed his recruitment. The high three-star then decided Saturday that he was ready to make his choice and gave the Gators his pledge. Oregon was the only Pac-12 school to make the list for the defensive end prospect so I wouldn't expect Arizona to make any kind of movement on him moving forward.
Jonathan King (Oregon): The Ducks picked up a commitment from a Florida-based defensive end so losing out on Upshaw won't hurt as much with the three-star prospect from Tampa giving Oregon his pledge on Friday keeping that connection from Florida to Eugene going for Willie Taggart and Co. The Wildcats have been trying to hit Tampa hard again in this cycle but King was one that didn't quite have a ton of buzz with the Wildcats. At this point Arizona has other options to look at, so we'll have to wait and see what happens but it sounds like a solid pledge right now.
