When defensive lineman Kurtis Brown verbally committed to UA coaches in April 2016, he became one of the first players to join the Wildcats’ 2017 recruiting class.
That same night, Kylan Wilborn — a defensive end from Notre Dame Prep in Sherman Oaks, California — verbally committed to the Wildcats, too. Brown had played against Wilborn before, and watched some of his highlights online shortly after he committed. He saw Wilborn’s speed then, but it looks even better now that they’re teammates.
Wilborn has perhaps been ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s best defensive player this season, leading the team in sacks and managing four alone against UCLA star Josh Rosen two weeks ago. Brown has been a member of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s defensive line rotation.
Brown and Wilborn were part of a class that Rich Rodriguez publicly praised, even if the experts didn’t.
But that’s the thing about recruiting; it’s a crapshoot.
Mistakes in recruiting played a major part in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s 3-9 season in 2016. And this year’s recruiting successes are the main reason why the Wildcats, who will host No. 15 Washington State on Saturday, are suddenly competing for a Pac-12 South title.
Seventeen true freshmen have played this season. And at least five of them — Wilborn, linebackers Colin Schooler and Tony Fields, tight end Bryce Wolma and safety Troy Young — are expected to start against the Cougars.
At least one player saw it coming.
"I was looking at these recruits (after committing) and I’m just like, this class is going to be real good,†Brown said. “It doesn’t matter what was happening during the season, the 2017 class will be good.â€
So how did ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ do it? Here’s a look at the seven steps Rodriguez and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ took to building his best recruiting class in six years.