High school seniors throughout the country signed on the dotted line Wednesday, officially committing to their new colleges. For the 蜜柚直播 Wildcats, Wednesday brought surprises 鈥 but mostly good ones.
A pair of four-star Texas recruits, cornerback Bobby Wolfe and wide receiver Jalen 鈥淏oobie鈥 Curry, committed to the Wildcats before coach Kevin Sumlin鈥檚 afternoon news conference.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound Wolfe was originally committed to Texas A&M. He decommitted on Oct. 28, two days after he watched the Wildcats beat Oregon 44-15 in 蜜柚直播. Wolfe had offers from Ole Miss, Baylor and Arkansas when he chose 蜜柚直播.
Curry, who is listed at 6-2 and 197 pounds, had scholarship offers from dozens of major programs. He took official visits to Auburn, Penn State, Tennessee and the UA.
Sumlin called the duo of four-stars 鈥渢wo guys that are really good players and highly recruited.鈥
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In the past, 蜜柚直播 would lose players like Wolfe and Curry on signing day 鈥 sometimes to Pac-12 rivals.
Quarterback Braxton Burmeister (2017), offensive tackle Cody Shear (2017) and Pima College cornerback Haki Woods (2018) all spurned 蜜柚直播 to play at Oregon. Shear flipped the morning of signing day.
Almost every player who had verbally committed to the UA signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, with the exception of Belgian defensive end Sylvain Yondjouen. Yondjouen decommitted from the UA in the morning, and soon after signed with Georgia Tech. Yondjouen had been Sumlin鈥檚 highest-ranked commit in the 2019 class 鈥 until Wolfe and Curry signed.
Wolfe said he chose 蜜柚直播 in part because of Sumlin and the assistant coaches.
鈥淭hose are my guys. Them boys are about their energy and they have everything that I鈥檓 looking for,鈥 he told the Star in November. 鈥淭hey keep it 100 and they want to see me play on that football field and that鈥檚 what I need. I need to play and they want me to play so that鈥檚 glory, we both win.鈥
That both players hail from football-mad Texas is a plus.
Wolfe said high school football in the Lone Star State is 鈥渕ore lit than college football; it鈥檚 more lit than the NFL I promise you, especially during playoff time. It鈥檚 amazing and it鈥檚 crazy,鈥 Wolfe said. 鈥淲e turn stadiums upside down out here in Texas, especially in high school football.
鈥淎nd we have so many electrifying athletes in Texas, everybody can play ball.鈥
Wolfe, a cornerback, plays a position of need for 蜜柚直播. The Wildcats started walk-on Azizi Hearn and converted safety Troy Young at corner in their season finale against 蜜柚直播 State.
Along with depth, Wolfe provides grit and confidence 鈥 and lots of it.
鈥淚 talk to quarterbacks any type of way I want to, because eventually I鈥檓 going to pick him off,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hrow it over here three times, I鈥檓 going to pick it off twice. 鈥 I don鈥檛 care if you have five stars or 50 stars, it really doesn鈥檛 matter because once you line up against me, it鈥檚 my plate versus your plate.鈥
It remains to be seen how he鈥檒l fare at 蜜柚直播, but for a day that usually ends with the Wildcats losing one or two to another school, Wolfe was a huge reason why Sumlin walked around the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility upbeat and ready for 2019.
Recruiting: Player-by-player breakdown of the 蜜柚直播 Wildcats' 2019 football class
Kevin Sumlin's first official class at UA is a potpourri of Texans, athleticism and experience
Several of the top high school and junior college athletes put their college decisions in ink on a national letter of intent for early signing day on Dec. 19.
Sumlin wanted to accomplish a few tasks for 2019: dive into the state of Texas, add junior college prospects for experience and reopen the Polynesian pipeline. Sumlin can check off each of those boxes with the 21 national letters of intent that his staff watched players sign Wednesday to attend UA next year.
Among those 21 signees are Bobby Wolfe, Jalen "Boobie" Curry and Jaden Mitchell. Wolfe and Curry, two of Sumlin's top-rated players in the class, committed and signed Wednesday. Mitchell was originally a member of the 2018 class, but rescheduled his enrollment and signed Wednesday after suffering a serious knee injury as a high school senior.
Here's a complete breakdown of the UA's current commitments.
Jalen "Boobie" Curry
Position:听Wide receiver
Rank:听Four-star, No. 25 position, No. 183 nationally
Height:听6-3
Weight:听208 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Houston (St. Pius X)
When he committed:听Dec. 19
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Curry will get to work with high school teammate Grant Gunnell at UA. The Wildcats' receiving corps will have a much different feel than in 2018. Shun Brown, Shawn Poindexter and Tony Ellison, who combined to account for two-thirds of 蜜柚直播's receptions last season, are graduating. That leaves Devaughn Cooper, Cedric Peterson, Stanley Berryhill, Drew Dixon, Tre Adams and Thomas Marcus on the receiving end of Khalil Tate's passes.
Curry joins incoming receivers Jalen Johnson and Jaden Mitchell, and should have the opportunity to compete for snaps right away as Kevin Sumlin's top-rated recruit in 2019. At 6-foot-3, Curry brings more height to an already taller-than-usual group.
Curry chose to play for the Wildcats over 蜜柚直播 State, Auburn, Penn State, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon, among others.
Bobby Wolfe
Position:听Defensive back
Rank: Four-star, No. 35 position, No. 328 nationally
Height:听6-1
Weight:听180 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Houston (Madison)
When he committed:听Dec. 19
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Cornerback is a position of need for 蜜柚直播, considering the Wildcats had limited depth at that spot in 2018.
Senior Jace Whittaker played just one game in 2018 due to an elbow injury. Whittaker could medically redshirt, per the NCAA鈥檚 new four-game rule, and return in 2019. Lorenzo Burns also missed some time, which left true freshman McKenzie Barnes and walk-on Azizi Hearn to fill in. Even safety Troy Young, who the coaching staff wanted to convert into a utility-hybrid linebacker, moved over and played cornerback to provide the Wildcats depth.
Wolfe compared himself to Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who's known for his听boisterous attitude on and off the field.听
He said it:听"I鈥檓 not going to be a football player for the rest of my life and by the time I turn 40, I鈥檓 going to be an old man and it鈥檒l be time for me to stop playing so of course education plays a big part in my decision. And I don鈥檛 want my parents worrying about me for the next four years.鈥 鈥 Wolfe
Jaden Mitchell
Position:听Wide receiver
Rank (2018):听Three-star, No. 186 position, No. 1,268 nationally
Height:听6-0
Weight:听180 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Las Vegas (Desert Oasis)
When he committed:听April 2017
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Mitchell was one of 蜜柚直播's first recruits to the 2018 class, but chose to delay his enrollment until January 2019 as he recovered from a torn meniscus and ACL which he suffered as a senior at Desert Oasis. He chose UA over offers from UNLV and Hawaii, and stuck with the Wildcats even as they overhauled the coaching staff.
He'll compete for playing time among a new-look receiving corps that also includes newcomers Jalen "Bobbie" Curry and Jalen Johnson.
He said it:听"Man... Tore my ACL first game, had to learn to walk, run, jump again, took extra classes & graduated early, had to greyshirt (wait a year), coaching change, not knowing what was going to happen & now I鈥檓 here. God is good. First in family to go to a university." 鈥 Mitchell tweeted along with a video of him opening his scholarship papers from UA a week before early signing day
Kane Bradford
Position:听Defensive tackle
Rank:听Three-star, No. 84 position, No. 1,384 nationally
Height:听6 feet 5 inches
Weight:听275 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Dallas (Skyline)
When he committed:听June 24
Status: Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听蜜柚直播 was one of two Power 5 conference schools to offer Bradford a scholarship. He picked the Wildcats over Baylor, Navy, Nevada, Grambling State, Alcorn State and Prairie View A&M. Why the Wildcats as opposed to Baylor, his home-state team? Think playing time. The three-star interior defensive lineman could step in immediately and play significant snaps in 2019. 蜜柚直播 will lose starter Dereck Boles to graduation and could potentially be without PJ Johnson for the 2019 season, which would be a huge loss. That would leave Kurtis Brown, Mykee Irving, Finton Connolly, Sione Taufahema and Nahe Sulunga at defensive tackle. Only Connolly has experience. Bradford could step in right away and contribute to a defense that gave up 159.7 rushing yards per game.
He said it:听鈥(Kevin Sumlin) wants me to go to 蜜柚直播 really badly,鈥 Bradford told 247Sports in June. 鈥淢y daddy figured out that he was the old coach at Texas A&M. Coach Sumlin knows my head coach at Skyline and he understands just how good the players that come out of my high school are. He wants to make you into a better player. Coach Sumlin is a real respected man in my community.鈥
Derrion Clark
Position:听Inside linebacker
Rank:听Three-star, No. 74 position, No. 1,898 nationally
Height:听6-1
Weight:听215 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Dallas (South Oak Cliff)
When he committed:听June 23
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Clark picked the Wildcats over Alabama A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Stephen F. Austin, UTEP and UT-San Antonio. Clark could have a difficult time seeing the field as a true freshman. The Wildcats have depth at linebacker. Starters Tony Fields II and Colin Schooler were 蜜柚直播鈥檚 top two tacklers in 2018 and look to return next season as one of the top linebacker duos in the Pac-12. Anthony Pandy and Jacob Colacion are backing them up. Clark recorded 104 tackles as a senior at South Oak Cliff in Dallas and showcased his pass rushing abilities with seven sacks and 20 tackles for loss. UA special teams coach Jeremy Springer could use a player with Clark鈥檚 skillset running down the field on kickoffs and punts.
Josh Donovan
Position:听Offensive tackle
Rank:听Three-star, No. 13 position, No. 1,222 nationally
Height:听6-5
Weight:听330 pounds
Hometown (JuCo):听College Station, Texas (Trinity Valley Community College)
When he committed:听Nov. 25, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Kevin Sumlin and staff wanted to accomplish two tasks for the 2019 recruiting class: Add more players from the state of Texas, as well as veterans at the junior college level. Sumlin can check off two boxes with landing Donovan. After Hawaiian offensive lineman Rocky Aitogi decommitted from 蜜柚直播 and flipped to New Mexico, Donovan is currently the lone juco offensive lineman and is one of the biggest recruits for 蜜柚直播鈥檚 2019 class. The three-star Donovan is ranked as the third-best prospect at the juco level in Texas and the 12th-best offensive tackle nationally. Looking ahead to the outlook of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 offensive line unit for next season, the Wildcats will lose experienced left tackle Layth Friekh to graduation, but return a slew of players that received solid playing time. The returners: Josh McCaulley, Cody Creason, Thiyo Lukusa, Michael Eletise, Donovan Laie, Bryson Cain and Texas A&M transfer Robert Congel.
Despite the inexperience, 蜜柚直播鈥檚 offensive line paved the way for the Cats to finish 36th in FBS and first in the Pac-12 in rushing with J.J. Taylor rushing for 1,434 yards. Although it could be tough for Donovan to squeeze into the rotation, he gives Joe Gilbert鈥檚 group much-needed depth, size and experience. Donovan could be one of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 most important recruits when it鈥檚 all said and done.
Paiton Fears
Position:听Offensive tackle
Rank: Three-star, No. 7 position, No. 912 nationally
Height:听6-6
Weight:听327 pounds
Hometown (JuCo):听Minneola, Florida (Hutchinson Community College, Kansas)
When he committed:听Dec. 18
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Fears' size is the icing on the cake for 蜜柚直播's offensive-line group for the 2019 class. Fears chose the Wildcats over offers from Baylor, West Virginia and Missouri. He joins a class of Floridian Jamari Williams, Marana's Jordan Morgan and Texas JuCo tackle Josh Donovan.听
Head coach Kevin Sumlin emphasized prior and during his first season at 蜜柚直播 that the Wildcats need to add depth to the roster with size and experience. On the other side of the line, 蜜柚直播 has commitments from Eastern 蜜柚直播 defensive tackle Myles Tapusoa and Navarro College's Trevon Mason.听
蜜柚直播's offensive line is expecting to return Josh McCaulley, Cody Creason, Thiyo Lukusa, Michael Eletise, Donovan Laie, Bryson Cain and Texas A&M transfer Robert Congel. With the additions of the 2019 class, 蜜柚直播's offensive line could be one of the team's strong suits moving forward.
Maurice Gaines Jr.
Position:听Cornerback
Rank: Three-star, No. 148 position, No. 1,665 nationally
Height:听6-1
Weight:听185 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Folsom, California (St. Thomas More, Connecticut)
When he committed:听July 28, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Gaines is a high-schooler, but a seasoned player. The three-star cornerback was initially a part of the 2018 class, but decided to reclassify to 2019 after 鈥渢here was a situation where something was going on with one of my classes that I needed. At the time, I had broken my wrist so I had a serious injury so school really just fell off for me.鈥 Gaines then transferred from Folsom High to St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Connecticut, for his final year. Fortunately for Gaines, he steps in at a perfect time and could play heavy snaps as a true freshman, considering cornerback is one of UA鈥檚 slimmest positions. Gaines is one of two cornerbacks for 2019, joining Chris Roland from Palmdale, California.
Starter Lorenzo Burns is expected to return, but the biggest question is whether Jace Whittaker will return. Whittaker is arguably 蜜柚直播鈥檚 best option at cornerback and only appeared in one game this season due to a lingering elbow injury. Per NCAA鈥檚 new rule, players can appear in no more than four games before deciding to redshirt. There鈥檚 three options for Whittaker: redshirt and return, enter the NFL Draft or become a graduate transfer. That decision hasn鈥檛 been made, so it鈥檚 possible the Wildcats could be without Whittaker for another season. When he was out, freshman McKenzie Barnes, walk-on Azizi Hearn and utility player Troy Young filled in. Although they all return, Gaines could find himself fighting for playing time as a true freshman.
He said it:听鈥淲hen I went to 蜜柚直播, I just wanted to feel at home with the place and I was in a good place with coach (Demetrice Martin) from his previous job when he recruited me in the class of 2018. I鈥檝e established a good relationship with him over the last few years. When I transferred, I didn鈥檛 know whether I was going to go class of 2018 or 2019; he was a big part of making sure I did everything right. When he gave me the word that 蜜柚直播 was a place that I needed to be, I took his word for it and then when I went up there, I talked to coach (Kevin) Sumlin, coach (Marcel) Yates and I got to know them. When they told me everything that I needed to hear, I felt at home with them and I could tell them anything.鈥
Grant Gunnell
Position:听Quarterback
Rank: Three-star, No. 15 position, No. 418 nationally
Height:听6-6
Weight:听222 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Houston (St. Pius X)
When he committed:听June 6, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Grant Gunnell probably won鈥檛 start as a freshman if Khalil Tate decides to return to 蜜柚直播, but the Wildcats could have their quarterback of the future, or at least he looks the part and has the reputation to become the next gunslinger at UA.
Per , Gunnell is 蜜柚直播’s second-highest ranked recruit behind Belgian defensive end Sylvain Yondjouen, and comes in with high expectations based off what he’s done at one of the highest levels of high school football in the country.
In October, the three-star Gunnell became all-time passing yards and touchdowns leader in Texas prep history and finished his high school career at Houston鈥檚 St. Pius X with 16,108 and 195, respectively. He broke Hunter Lile鈥檚 record. Lile played from 2011-14. Gunnell passed notable Texas quarterbacks along the way including Drew Brees, Nick Foles, Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, Case Keenum, Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield. Gunnell isn鈥檛 the prototypical dual-threat quarterback like Tate or the more recent prospects to come through the UA in the past, but his stature and arm resemble a player like Foles. How does that translate to Noel Mazzone鈥檚 offense?
Mazzone has worked with pocket-passing quarterbacks like Gunnell such as 6-foot-7-inch Brock Osweiler at ASU and 6-foot-4-inch Josh Rosen at UCLA who鈥檚 now starting as a rookie for the 蜜柚直播 Cardinals. 鈥淭hose are guys that look like me 鈥 spitting images,鈥 Gunnell told the Star in September. 鈥淭hat was one of the main things I was looking for. I鈥檓 kind of what he wants.鈥 With Tate at quarterback, the Wildcats could be more prone to running run-pass-option plays, but with the less-mobile Gunnell in the backfield, UA could run a similar style of offense to when Foles played from 2009-11. If Tate leaves 蜜柚直播, the quarterback job is wide open and Gunnell could be the one that gets his number called. If Tate stays, the 蜜柚直播 quarterback room will be full, considering current freshmen Jamarye Joiner and Kevin Doyle return, plus Rhett Rodriguez and K鈥橦ari Lane are also expected to be back at the UA in 2019. No shortage of quarterbacks in 蜜柚直播, at least for next season.
He said it:听鈥淎 once-in-a-generation-type quarterback,鈥 St. Pius X head coach Erik DeHaven said. 鈥淓verything he does on the field is the same as what he does off the field. There鈥檚 no difference between the two. He鈥檚 a positive leader of our young men. He is who he is. He鈥檚 special.鈥
Jalen Johnson
Position:听Wide receiver
Rank: Three-star, No. 136 position, No. 1,270 nationally
Height:听6-2
Weight:听183
Hometown (high school):听Corona, California (Eleanor Roosevelt)
When he committed:听July 13, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听The last time 蜜柚直播 had a tall wide receiver from Corona, California, he caught a Hail Mary pass in the corner of the north end zone against the Cal Golden Bears. Austin Hill played at 蜜柚直播 from 2011-14 and recorded 2,310 yards in his career in 蜜柚直播.
Johnson could have a similar career at 蜜柚直播, and the Eleanor Roosevelt High wide receiver could receive significant playing time as a freshman.
Johnson was one of several 蜜柚直播 recruits that committed over the summer and he selected the Wildcats over Utah, Oregon State, Colorado State and New Mexico.
The Wildcats lose 6-foot-5-inch Shawn Poindexter 鈥攚ho tied Hill鈥檚 single-season touchdown record this season 鈥 the speedy Shun Brown and Tony Ellison to graduation. 蜜柚直播鈥檚 top three wide receivers are all gone and the top returners are Cedric Peterson and 蜜柚直播an Stanley Berryhill III.
Considering Johnson is currently 蜜柚直播鈥檚 only wide receiver commit in the 2019 class, he could start as a true freshman and fill Poindexter鈥檚 role with his height.
It’s never ideal to have an inexperienced player step into a huge role immediately, especially because Johnson is considered the 133rd-best wide receiver in the nation per , but he could grow with the baptized-by-fire method.
Poindexter was a junior college prospect and a former volleyball player, but improved the more he played, which is a situation Johnson could find himself in.
Jordan Morgan
Position:听Offensive tackle
Rank: Three-star, No. 135 position, No. 1,734 nationally
Height:听6-5
Weight:听270
Hometown (high school):听蜜柚直播 (Marana)
When he committed:听June 14, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Morgan is considered to be one of the best-kept secrets in 蜜柚直播 and it could be because he鈥檚 not active on social media. Before the 2018 season, Kevin Sumlin and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert capitalized on the hidden gem right in their own backyard.
Of course once Morgan committed, he opened the eyes of other programs and landed offers from ASU and USC. But he is firmly committed to the UA.
鈥淢y favorite was Oregon, but when I was younger, I used to like 蜜柚直播, but I didn鈥檛 think I would be going there,鈥 he said.
The three-star offensive tackle is listed as the 32nd-best prospect in 蜜柚直播 for 2019, per . Morgan became the second local lineman in two years to head to UA, joining Amphitheater High product David Watson.
Unlike Mason, Morgan could have a difficult time seeing the field early because Gilbert returns every starter from 2018 except for left tackle Layth Friekh. The returners: Josh McCaulley, Cody Creason, Thiyo Lukusa, Michael Eletise, Donovan Laie, Bryson Cain and Texas A&M transfer Robert Congel.
Fortunately for Morgan, the left tackle spot is up for grabs and it could be the reason why the Marana tackle alternated between the left and right side of the line last season. Morgan will have to compete with junior college transfers Josh Donovan and Paiton Fears. It鈥檚 possible that Morgan will not see the field as a true freshman, but he could carve out a prosperous career as the hometown hero.
He said it:听鈥淚t鈥檚 surprising 鈥 shocking 鈥 that no one knew about Jordan before I got here. One of the most athletic and biggest lineman that myself and the coaching staff has seen. He鈥檚 just a freak, he really is. 鈥 He鈥檚 an animal and U of A is going to get a hometown hero.鈥 鈥 Marana head coach Louie Ramirez
Trevon Mason
Position:听Defensive tackle
Rank: Three-star, No. 15 position, No. 1,657 nationally
Height:听6-6
Weight:听280 pounds
Hometown (JuCo):听Arlington, Texas (Navarro College)
When he committed:听Nov. 25, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Mason was 蜜柚直播鈥檚 fourth defensive line commitment to the 2019 class, joining Dallas defensive tackle Kane Bradford, Eastern 蜜柚直播鈥檚 Myles Tapusoa and Belgian defensive end Sylvain Yondjouen.
Mason is ranked as the seventh-best junior college prospect in Texas and 13th-best defensive tackle nationally, per .
He could be one of the more important recruits of the 2019 class when it鈥檚 all said and done, because not only does he fill a position of need, but he鈥檚 recently played two years at Navarro College in the state of Texas.
According to the Navarro College roster, Mason鈥檚 6-foot-6-inch frame made him the tallest defensive lineman on the roster. His size, experience and Texas pedigree could make him a viable asset for the UA鈥檚 defensive front.
Mason had offers from Southern Miss and Nebraska, but chose the UA for playing time. 蜜柚直播 will lose starter Dereck Boles to graduation and could potentially be without PJ Johnson 鈥 another juco product who played at City College of San Francisco 鈥 for the 2019 season. That would leave Kurtis Brown, Mykee Irving, Finton Connolly, Sione Taufahema and Nahe Sulunga at defensive tackle.
Connolly is the only one out of that group who has received consistent playing time.
If Johnson does return and with the other prospects, including Mason, the Wildcats could have a monstrous defensive front, especially the interior group. Considering 蜜柚直播 coughed up 4.2 yards per rush this year, the Wildcats could use large bodies to fill the gaps, but Mason weighing only 280 pounds allows him to move around and make plays.
Kyle Ostendorp
Position:听Punter
Rank: Three-star, No. 10 position, No. 2,877 nationally
Height:听6-2
Weight:听195 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Phoenix (Desert Vista)
When he committed:听May 21, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Ostendorp is one of the top punters in 蜜柚直播 and finished his 2018 campaign seventh in the state in yards per punt (42.7). As the first to commit to the UA鈥檚 2019 class, the three-star player comes at a perfect time and could start immediately.
The Wildcats will lose 2018 starter Dylan Klumph, a grad transfer from Cal, and Jake Glatting, a senior who started in 2017. That leaves redshirt junior Matt Aragon as the only punter on the roster for 2019. Klumph averaged 42.2 yards per punt last season. Ostendorp鈥檚 longest punt as a senior at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix was 62 yards, and he pinned 18 kicks inside the opponents鈥 20-yard line.
He said it:听鈥淜yle is a very good high school punting prospect that shows potential to be great. A big, tall, strong athlete with an ideal frame for a college punter. He punts for excellent distance. His hang time needs to improve. 鈥 The tools are there to do so.鈥 鈥 Chris Sailer, trainer and kicking specialist, in his evaluation of Ostendorp on听.
Chris Roland
Position:听Athlete
Rank: Three-star, No. 127 position, No. 1,649 nationally
Height:听6-0
Weight:听180 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Palmdale, California (William Knight)
When he committed:听July 29, 2018
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Roland is being recruited as an athlete, but the 蜜柚直播 Wildcats want him to play cornerback in 蜜柚直播, and rightfully so. The only other cornerback currently committed in the recruiting class is Maurice Gaines Jr., but the Wildcats struggled to maintain depth at the position in 2018.
Senior Jace Whittaker played just one game in 2018 due to an elbow injury. Whittaker could medically redshirt, per the NCAA鈥檚 new four-game rule, and return in 2019. Lorenzo Burns also missed some time, which left true freshman McKenzie Barnes and walk-on Azizi Hearn to fill in. Even safety Troy Young, who the coaching staff wanted to convert into a utility-hybrid linebacker, moved over and played cornerback to provide the Wildcats depth.
Whittaker didn鈥檛 participate in Senior Day ceremonies before the UA鈥檚 final game, so it鈥檚 possible he could return to 蜜柚直播, become a graduate transfer or enter his name in the NFL draft. But if Whittaker comes back to 蜜柚直播 and Burns returns, three-star Roland would add much-needed depth for a position group that struggled with consistency and gave up an average of 440 yards through the air in 2018.
Roland could understudy Whittaker for a season and take over the reins as a sophomore. At 6-foot, 180 pounds, Roland is the same build as Whittaker, which could make for a pleasant transition for Demetrice Martin鈥檚 cornerback unit.
He said it:听鈥淭he culture that鈥檚 there, it鈥檚 something that I want to be a part of. I feel like I fit in that program and since the first day coach (Martin) recruited me, I knew he wouldn鈥檛 lead me in the wrong direction. That鈥檚 pretty much it. I can see myself there for three to four years.鈥 鈥 Roland, on why he chose to attend the UA.
Eddie Siaumau
Position:听Safety/Outside linebacker
Rank: Three-star, No. 140 position, No. 1,895 nationally
Height:听6-2
Weight:听210 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Pago Pago, American Samoa (Leone)
When he committed:听July 28
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Kevin Sumlin has embraced at least one of Dick Tomey鈥檚 keys to building a winning program: re-opening the Polynesian pipeline.
Siaumau fits the bill. He is the fourth American Samoa player to sign with the UA in the last eight years.
The three-star recruit is listed as a safety, but the Wildcats鈥 only loss from the position is Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. Scottie Young Jr., Jarrius Wallace, Tristan Cooper, Xavier Bell, Troy Young, Christian Young, Chacho Ulloa, Isaiah Hayes and Dayven Coleman are all expected to return. The safety room will be crowded in 2019, which isn鈥檛 the ideal situation for Siaumau if he wants to play early.
Siaumau told that Yates wants to utilize him as an outside linebacker/edge rusher, the same position played by Kylan Wilborn and Lee Anderson. Wilborn will be a junior in 2019, while Anderson will be entering his senior season. If Siaumau redshirts as a true freshman, he would be in line to play in 2020.
He said it: “I’m super excited and I can’t wait to play at the next level. I think I will prove everyone wrong, but will continue to be humble and work hard everyday. No days off. I’m glad to be chasing my dreams at a great school. I can’t plan the future right now, but I know one thing is that I will work hard to get the spot no matter what.” — Siaumau, to
Myles Tapusoa
Position:听Defensive tackle
Rank: Three-star, No. 9 position, No. 1,127 nationally
Height:听6-3
Weight:听325 pounds
Hometown (JuCo):听Salt Lake City (Eastern 蜜柚直播 College)
When he committed:听Nov. 27
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Tapusoa grew up in Utah and played junior college football in Thatcher, but is still technically a part of the UA鈥檚 burgeoning Polynesian pipeline. He has an American Samoa emoji flag next to his profile name on Twitter.
Defensive line coach Iona Uiagalelei recruited Tapusoa, convincing him to choose the Wildcats over offers from Houston, New Mexico, Idaho and Oregon State. Tapusoa was a onetime Houston commit who flipped to the Wildcats in the fall. He recently received an offer from Oregon.
The EAC product could immediately be a part of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 defensive plan. The Wildcats lost starting defensive tackle Dereck Boles to graduation and could potentially be without 335-pounder PJ Johnson, who is petitioning the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.
The UA returns just five defensive tackles, not counting Johnson: Kurtis Brown, Mykee Irving, Finton Connolly, Sione Taufahema and Nahe Sulunga. Of the five, only Connolly played significant snaps during the 2018 season.
Tapusoa鈥檚 learning curve may not be very steep. The three-star recruit played against junior college competition over the last two seasons. Tapusoa will be pushed by another junior college product, the 6-6, 280-pound Trevon Mason.
Dallas high school standout Kane Bradford is also expected to compete in camp. Tapusoa likely isn鈥檛 going to waltz into the starting spot right away, but he鈥檚 an appealing option for the Wildcats.
He said it:听鈥淐oaches have shown a lot of love to me and my family and have welcomed us with open arms! 蜜柚直播 felt like home, (and) everything seemed to fit perfectly.鈥 鈥 Tapusoa, on Twitter
Jaxen Turner
Position:听Safety
Rank: Three-star, No. 73 position, No. 1,000 nationally
Height:听6-2
Weight:听175 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Moreno Valley, California (Rancho Verde)
When he committed:听Oct. 21
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听Turner鈥檚 form of commitment was slightly different than the others in 蜜柚直播鈥檚 2019 class. Rather than a 鈥淚鈥檓 committing to鈥︹ social media post, Turner put together a two-part video of him and his Rancho Verde teammates at a bowling alley, with 蜜柚直播鈥檚 home win versus Cal playing on the projector above their lane. After bowling a strike, Turner looked at the camera and put on a red 蜜柚直播 hat. He chose the Wildcats over Cal, ASU, Boise State, Utah, Washington State, Nevada and Oregon State.
Turner grew up an 蜜柚直播 basketball fan; his favorite player was Stanley Johnson, who played in 蜜柚直播 during the 2014-15 season. Like Johnson, Turner is from Southern California.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know him personally, I just liked to watch him play,鈥 Turner said.
Turner is one of two safeties in the 2019 class, joining American Samoa鈥檚 Eddie Siaumau. Turner was recruited by cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin.
The Wildcats lose Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles to graduation, but Scottie Young Jr., Jarrius Wallace, Tristan Cooper, Xavier Bell, Troy Young, Christian Young, Chacho Ulloa, Isaiah Hayes and Dayven Coleman are all expected to return. While Turner may not play much as a true freshman, his versatility in the secondary could make him an important part of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 future.
He said it:听鈥淚 really wasn鈥檛 on a football phase, but more of a basketball phase. I followed basketball more once I got into high school. I was like, 鈥極h, they鈥檙e (UA) good at football, too.鈥 So that鈥檚 the complete dream school right there for me. That鈥檚 my dream school that I want to go to. They鈥檙e getting a smart on-the-field and off-the-field player. I鈥檓 very athletic and I bring aggressiveness.鈥 鈥 Turner
Kwabena Watson
Position:听Edge rusher
Rank: Three-star, No. 59 position, No. 866 nationally
Height:听6-3
Weight:听220 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Fresno, California (Edison)
When he committed:听June 24
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听The three-star edge rusher picked 蜜柚直播 over offers from LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oregon, USC and Nevada. Watson was recruited by 蜜柚直播 safeties coach John Rushing, who has strong ties to Northern California.
Watson finished his senior season with 52 tackles and led the team with four sacks. He could be one of the recruits that takes the Kevin Sumlin era to new heights. Watson told the Star in October that 蜜柚直播 plans on using him as a standup defensive end or outside linebacker, similar to Chicago Bears star Khalil Mack or the Denver Broncos鈥 Vonn Miller.
Two-year UA starter Kylan Wilborn returns for his third season at stud linebacker, but Watson could also play behind Jalen Harris or JB Brown. Harris and Brown were converted from outside linebacker to defensive end at the start of the 2018 season. Expect Watson to follow a similar path when he arrives in 蜜柚直播.
He said it:听鈥淭he main reason why I decided to commit to the University of 蜜柚直播 was because they have a big medical facility and when I grow up, I wanted to become a surgeon. I want to become a general surgeon. When I was younger, I would always read medical books and watch medical shows. 鈥 鈥楿ntold Stories of the ER,鈥 鈥楾rauma,鈥 鈥楶aramedics,鈥 鈥楳ystery Diagnosis,鈥 stuff like that.鈥 鈥 Watson
Michael Wiley
Position:听Running back
Rank:听Three-star, No. 94 position, No. 1,601 nationally
Height:听5-11
Weight:听175 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Houston (Strake Jesuit)
When he committed:听May 26
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听The three-star running back was the second commit of the 2019 class behind Phoenix punter Kyle Ostendorp. Wiley selected the Wildcats over McNeese State, Princeton and Yale. His stature, skill set and jersey number (21) resemble current 蜜柚直播 starter J.J. Taylor, who was named to The Associated Press All-Pac-12 team as an all-purpose player.
Wiley finished his high school career with 2,632 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns, and is a track star at Strake Jesuit. Wiley was recruited by UA鈥檚 former running backs coach Clarence McKinney before he accepted the Texas Southern head coaching job.
With his speed and shiftiness, Wiley could contribute on special teams right away. It鈥檚 going to be harder for him to see the field as a running back. Taylor will return as the starter with soon-to-be junior Gary Brightwell as the backup, and Darrius 鈥淏am鈥 Smith and Nathan Tilford also in the mix.
He said it:听鈥淚鈥檓 a very disciplined player that works hard and plays with a chip on his shoulder.鈥 鈥 Wiley, in a text message to the Star
Jamari Williams
Position:听Offensive line
Rank: Three-star, No. 61 position, No. 1,271 nationally
Height:听6-4
Weight:听275 pounds
Hometown (high school):听Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Cardinal Gibbons)
When he committed:听Nov. 1
Status:听Signed national letter of intent
How he fits:听蜜柚直播 has pulled athletes out Florida in the past, but they鈥檝e mostly been skill position players. 蜜柚直播 offensive line coach Joe Gilbert was able to pick up Williams, a three-star recruit, after he decommitted from Louisville. Williams will join a veteran group that includes returners Josh McCaulley, Cody Creason, Thiyo Lukusa, Michael Eletise, Donovan Laie, Bryson Cain and Texas A&M transfer Robert Congel.
Williams played tackle in high school, but is expected to switch to guard. He plans on learning center to give the Wildcats depth behind McCauley. Nathan Eldridge, who started over McCauley in 2017, is transferring.
He said it:听鈥淥ff the field, I鈥檓 always joking and just a goofy person. I always care about my friends. I don鈥檛 know if I have a picture on Twitter, but I walk around with a little Chucky doll, that鈥檚 my alter ego. I try to give you nightmares and I鈥檓 really aggressive and physical. I鈥檓 not dirty, but I just play the game with a lot of passion and love. The game has done so much for my life. I also try to bring a lot of swag to it. You鈥檙e gonna see that Florida swag when I get to 蜜柚直播.鈥 鈥 Williams
Sylvain Yondjouen
Position:听Defensive end
Rank: Three-star, No. 47 position, No. 739 nationally
Height:听6-4
Weight:听232 pounds
Hometown:听Brussels
When he committed:听Nov. 24
Status:听Decommitted; signed national letter of intent with Georgia Tech
How he fits: The biggest mystery of 蜜柚直播’s 2019 class may just turn out to be the most important one. The three-star Belgian edge rusher is 蜜柚直播’s highest-ranked recruit and the 25th-best defensive end for the 2019 class, according to . His tall frame with room and projectable body type makes him one of the UA’s most intriguing recruits.
Yondjouen verbally committed to the Wildcats during the first half of the Territorial Cup game against ASU, picking the Wildcats over offers from Cincinnati, Colorado and Virginia. Yondjouen runs the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, good speed for a defensive lineman. But he鈥檚 only played football since age 16, and played against lesser competition overseas.
Yondjouen adds depth to a defensive end rotation that includes returners Jalen Harris, JB Brown, Jalen Cochran and Justin Belknap. By the time Yondjouen becomes a junior, he could become 蜜柚直播鈥檚 most imposing defensive player.
He said it:听鈥淭hey鈥檒l get the best of me. No, but seriously, I am a team player. It is very important for me to feel myself in a family with my teammates and my coaches. If I feel like that, I鈥檒l be a leader, a motivator and also a killer on the field. I don鈥檛 want to look arrogant but I really love to win.鈥 鈥 Yondjouen.
