Sometimes you learn the most when you get a chance to get out where the action is. Right now a big area for the action is Southern California with so many camps and passing leagues taking place. It's a good chance to hear the chatter and get a good feel for where things are headed.
With that I've decided to put a list together of some recruits you should be keeping an eye on in Southern California that Arizona is starting to get involved with or will be putting a focus on as things continue to play out in the 2016 recruiting cycle.
Some of these recruits already have offers, others expect them to come in and others are likely to be offered but don't know yet. So here's a rundown of some of the recruits to keep an eye on in the area moving forward.
Logan Bathke: The Orange (Calif.) Lutheran standout offensive lineman has a nice frame at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. Arizona's staff likes what he brings to the table and he has that "nastiness" quality that Jim Michalczik and the staff really like to see in their offensive linemen. Arizona has already offered him and he also has ASU, Navy, Nevada and San Diego State on his offer list. (Click here for highlights)
Mike Alves: The San Diego (Calif.) St. Augustine offensive lineman is another prospect in the trenches the Wildcats recently offered and he too fits that mold of being a gritty-type offensive lineman with some toughness to him. At this point the four-star prospect could be a tough pull to Tucson, but expect the 'Cats to continue pushing for a visit from him. He told GOAZCATS.com that Boston College and Washington are a couple schools starting to stand out from the rest. (Click here for highlights)
Jacob Colacion: We have already discussed the La Habra, California linebacker quite a bit over the last few weeks and his visit out to Tucson in a couple weeks will be one to watch with the potential for him to pull the trigger on a pledge. Arizona has really made a good impression on him so far and it is the behind-the-scenes leader for the three-star recruit at this stage. (Click here for highlights)
Jake Burton: Arizona is the school standing out early for the El Cajon (Calif.) Granite Hills defensive line recruit, but he is waiting to see what other schools join in as well. As we mentioned in the War Room his plan is to visit Arizona in late July and a decision is expected shortly after that. As long as he sticks to that timeline the Wildcats are in good shape for his pledge. Oregon and UCLA have been showing more interest as of late, but it would be a little surprising to see those schools offer. (Click here for highlights)
Derrick Clark: The San Diego (Calif.) Mission Bay running back is committed to Cal, but Arizona still offered him at the end of April and continues to have him as a focus in the area. Clark, a three-star recruit, gave his pledge to the Bears in April but he has continued to see interest come in from UA and others. At this stage he holds offers from Bowling Green, Navy, San Jose State and Washington State. (Click here for highlights)
Terrell Burgess: The San Marcos, California cornerback picked up an offer from Wisconsin recently that certainly has brought him some more attention, but a more impactful offer is on the horizon. Arizona has been keeping tabs on the 6-foot prospect and an offer is set to take place soon when he attends UA's satellite camp in San Diego. If everything checks out when the staff sees him there an offer will be coming his way. At this stage an offer from the Wildcats would move UA up his list he told GOAZCATS.com this week. (Click here for highlights)
Dylan Crawford: Getting the Rivals100 receiver from Rancho Santa Margarita, California out of California is going to take quite a lot, but Arizona is continuing to pursue the talented prospect. Early on the assumption was that Crawford would follow his quarterback, KJ Costello, wherever the four-star signal caller went but now that Costello is headed to Stanford that might not exactly be the plan. USC and UCLA remain a big part of his recruitment and other programs with plenty of tradition are targeting him as well. (Click here for highlights)
Dezmon Patmon: The three-star receiver from San Diego (Calif.) Patrick Henry is a big body at 6-foot-4 and that is something Arizona will need in the coming years. At this stage does not have an offer from the Wildcats, but I expect UA will jump in soon with an offer. So far Patmon has Cal, Colorado State, San Diego State, UNLV and Washington State on his offer list but don't be surprised if you see his recruitment start to take off once the spring evaluation period ends. This is one Arizona is going to start taking a stronger approach with soon. (Click here for highlights)
Keyon Riley: The Anaheim (Calif.) Servite safety prospect is another one you can expect to see more of in the coming months. So far Riley's list includes schools such as Colorado State, Oregon State, Fresno State and Washington but there are more schools coming and one of those is Arizona. The Wildcats have already shown interest in the 6-foot-2 prospect and an offer could be right around the corner. The three-star recruit plays in a tough league in Southern California and he is one who could really start to gain steam in his recruitment soon. (Click here for highlights)
Troy Cassidy: The linebacker from Carlsbad, California has flown somewhat under the radar up to this point, but he certainly made an impact for his school last season as a junior. Arizona has been keeping track of him and continues to look at him as a potential option. Last year for Carlsbad the 6-foot-3 recruit had 82 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks. (Click here for highlights)
Andre Collins: Another big receiver Arizona is keeping tabs on is the three-star Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei prospect. At 6-foot-4 and 192 pounds the 2016 recruit is that big body I mentioned earlier Arizona will be looking to add moving forward. The Wildcats continue to watch him and he is a prospect the 'Cats have focused in on as a potential target. (Click here for highlights)
There will certainly be more to watch, but these are a few notable recruits Arizona is focusing in out in the Orange County/San Diego areas at this stage in the cycle.
With that I've decided to put a list together of some recruits you should be keeping an eye on in Southern California that Arizona is starting to get involved with or will be putting a focus on as things continue to play out in the 2016 recruiting cycle.
Some of these recruits already have offers, others expect them to come in and others are likely to be offered but don't know yet. So here's a rundown of some of the recruits to keep an eye on in the area moving forward.
Logan Bathke: The Orange (Calif.) Lutheran standout offensive lineman has a nice frame at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. Arizona's staff likes what he brings to the table and he has that "nastiness" quality that Jim Michalczik and the staff really like to see in their offensive linemen. Arizona has already offered him and he also has ASU, Navy, Nevada and San Diego State on his offer list. (Click here for highlights)
Mike Alves: The San Diego (Calif.) St. Augustine offensive lineman is another prospect in the trenches the Wildcats recently offered and he too fits that mold of being a gritty-type offensive lineman with some toughness to him. At this point the four-star prospect could be a tough pull to Tucson, but expect the 'Cats to continue pushing for a visit from him. He told GOAZCATS.com that Boston College and Washington are a couple schools starting to stand out from the rest. (Click here for highlights)
Jacob Colacion: We have already discussed the La Habra, California linebacker quite a bit over the last few weeks and his visit out to Tucson in a couple weeks will be one to watch with the potential for him to pull the trigger on a pledge. Arizona has really made a good impression on him so far and it is the behind-the-scenes leader for the three-star recruit at this stage. (Click here for highlights)
Jake Burton: Arizona is the school standing out early for the El Cajon (Calif.) Granite Hills defensive line recruit, but he is waiting to see what other schools join in as well. As we mentioned in the War Room his plan is to visit Arizona in late July and a decision is expected shortly after that. As long as he sticks to that timeline the Wildcats are in good shape for his pledge. Oregon and UCLA have been showing more interest as of late, but it would be a little surprising to see those schools offer. (Click here for highlights)
Derrick Clark: The San Diego (Calif.) Mission Bay running back is committed to Cal, but Arizona still offered him at the end of April and continues to have him as a focus in the area. Clark, a three-star recruit, gave his pledge to the Bears in April but he has continued to see interest come in from UA and others. At this stage he holds offers from Bowling Green, Navy, San Jose State and Washington State. (Click here for highlights)
Terrell Burgess: The San Marcos, California cornerback picked up an offer from Wisconsin recently that certainly has brought him some more attention, but a more impactful offer is on the horizon. Arizona has been keeping tabs on the 6-foot prospect and an offer is set to take place soon when he attends UA's satellite camp in San Diego. If everything checks out when the staff sees him there an offer will be coming his way. At this stage an offer from the Wildcats would move UA up his list he told GOAZCATS.com this week. (Click here for highlights)
Dylan Crawford: Getting the Rivals100 receiver from Rancho Santa Margarita, California out of California is going to take quite a lot, but Arizona is continuing to pursue the talented prospect. Early on the assumption was that Crawford would follow his quarterback, KJ Costello, wherever the four-star signal caller went but now that Costello is headed to Stanford that might not exactly be the plan. USC and UCLA remain a big part of his recruitment and other programs with plenty of tradition are targeting him as well. (Click here for highlights)
Dezmon Patmon: The three-star receiver from San Diego (Calif.) Patrick Henry is a big body at 6-foot-4 and that is something Arizona will need in the coming years. At this stage does not have an offer from the Wildcats, but I expect UA will jump in soon with an offer. So far Patmon has Cal, Colorado State, San Diego State, UNLV and Washington State on his offer list but don't be surprised if you see his recruitment start to take off once the spring evaluation period ends. This is one Arizona is going to start taking a stronger approach with soon. (Click here for highlights)
Keyon Riley: The Anaheim (Calif.) Servite safety prospect is another one you can expect to see more of in the coming months. So far Riley's list includes schools such as Colorado State, Oregon State, Fresno State and Washington but there are more schools coming and one of those is Arizona. The Wildcats have already shown interest in the 6-foot-2 prospect and an offer could be right around the corner. The three-star recruit plays in a tough league in Southern California and he is one who could really start to gain steam in his recruitment soon. (Click here for highlights)
Troy Cassidy: The linebacker from Carlsbad, California has flown somewhat under the radar up to this point, but he certainly made an impact for his school last season as a junior. Arizona has been keeping track of him and continues to look at him as a potential option. Last year for Carlsbad the 6-foot-3 recruit had 82 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks. (Click here for highlights)
Andre Collins: Another big receiver Arizona is keeping tabs on is the three-star Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei prospect. At 6-foot-4 and 192 pounds the 2016 recruit is that big body I mentioned earlier Arizona will be looking to add moving forward. The Wildcats continue to watch him and he is a prospect the 'Cats have focused in on as a potential target. (Click here for highlights)
There will certainly be more to watch, but these are a few notable recruits Arizona is focusing in out in the Orange County/San Diego areas at this stage in the cycle.
