It might not be right, but it happens. It's happening right now to Arizona and Arizona is not exempt from it either. Recruiting committed prospects. It's just the nature of the game and when you're dealing with 17 and 18-year old kids there is always a chance for influence. Arizona had to watch some programs move in on its committed prospects last season and while it ended getting some better fits it is something programs wish could be avoided. But much like the recruiting process continually speeding up recruiting committed prospects is sometimes necessary to get the class you truly want.
I just wanted to take some time to put a list together of committed prospects to keep an eye on who Arizona has not forgotten about. So here are some committed guys to not fully give up on just yet.
Elijah Blades: By now the story with Blades is well known. He was blown away on his trip to Florida and being sold on playing early sealed the deal for him. I have said all along that playing closer to home was more meaningful than it is being given credit for and he truly does have a good relationship with Arizona's staff that has been built over a few years. He has always mentioned how much he likes Rich Rodriguez and it would still be surprising if Arizona doesn't at least get him out on an official visit before he signs. UA still has a good shot to flip him.
Hunter Echols: I think people tend to forget about the four-star UCLA commit because he has been so open about everything in his recruitment and taking visits and letting it be known that he's going to let himself be recruited by other programs. He visited Arizona already this year and things went well. Now Arizona has one of his teammates on board in Rhedi Short and don't think the 'Cats have forgotten about the defensive end recruit at the school. He remains one to keep an eye on as things play out and because of some of the connections between Cathedral and UA the Wildcats are not as far off of a contender as people think.
O'Maury Samuels: The four-star running back continues to say he's 100 percent committed to Michigan, but those seem to be the famous last words in recruiting these days. The big-time prospect from New Mexico plans on visiting Arizona (and a few others) and he has made that pretty clear lately. Arizona wants to be ready should anything happen with Nathan Tilford's commitment and it also wouldn't mind having another back on board. That is where Samuels fits in and with Arizona being one of his early offers that relationship is still a good one and it should lead to a visit.
Robert Porcher: He's buddies with Bruce Judson and he has the bloodlines that Arizona likes to see. Porcher is committed to Nebraska already, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him out in Tucson this summer. The Wildcats liked him enough to jump in his recruitment earlier in the process. While there are other options for the 'Cats along the defensive line, including Echols, the son of a former NFLer remains one to keep at least an eye on still.
Randal Grimes: The USC receiver commit has been to Arizona multiple times already and he has two teammates from Desert Pines committed to the 'Cats. The big 6-foot-4 prospect, who could play on defense if it was really needed, has plenty of connections to the program. Still, he remains committed to the Trojans. Arizona has some other priorities that it is confident in such as, ya know, that five-star recruit Joseph Lewis as well as Bryan Thompson who is planning to visit soon. However, Grimes is at least someone to keep a close watch on should things fall through with some others before they sign.
I just wanted to take some time to put a list together of committed prospects to keep an eye on who Arizona has not forgotten about. So here are some committed guys to not fully give up on just yet.
Elijah Blades: By now the story with Blades is well known. He was blown away on his trip to Florida and being sold on playing early sealed the deal for him. I have said all along that playing closer to home was more meaningful than it is being given credit for and he truly does have a good relationship with Arizona's staff that has been built over a few years. He has always mentioned how much he likes Rich Rodriguez and it would still be surprising if Arizona doesn't at least get him out on an official visit before he signs. UA still has a good shot to flip him.
Hunter Echols: I think people tend to forget about the four-star UCLA commit because he has been so open about everything in his recruitment and taking visits and letting it be known that he's going to let himself be recruited by other programs. He visited Arizona already this year and things went well. Now Arizona has one of his teammates on board in Rhedi Short and don't think the 'Cats have forgotten about the defensive end recruit at the school. He remains one to keep an eye on as things play out and because of some of the connections between Cathedral and UA the Wildcats are not as far off of a contender as people think.
O'Maury Samuels: The four-star running back continues to say he's 100 percent committed to Michigan, but those seem to be the famous last words in recruiting these days. The big-time prospect from New Mexico plans on visiting Arizona (and a few others) and he has made that pretty clear lately. Arizona wants to be ready should anything happen with Nathan Tilford's commitment and it also wouldn't mind having another back on board. That is where Samuels fits in and with Arizona being one of his early offers that relationship is still a good one and it should lead to a visit.
Robert Porcher: He's buddies with Bruce Judson and he has the bloodlines that Arizona likes to see. Porcher is committed to Nebraska already, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him out in Tucson this summer. The Wildcats liked him enough to jump in his recruitment earlier in the process. While there are other options for the 'Cats along the defensive line, including Echols, the son of a former NFLer remains one to keep at least an eye on still.
Randal Grimes: The USC receiver commit has been to Arizona multiple times already and he has two teammates from Desert Pines committed to the 'Cats. The big 6-foot-4 prospect, who could play on defense if it was really needed, has plenty of connections to the program. Still, he remains committed to the Trojans. Arizona has some other priorities that it is confident in such as, ya know, that five-star recruit Joseph Lewis as well as Bryan Thompson who is planning to visit soon. However, Grimes is at least someone to keep a close watch on should things fall through with some others before they sign.
