Arizona football recruiting: Communication with the staff has been key for 2018 safety Kenny Churchwell

Charlie Ragle has played a major role in this recruitment

The Arizona Wildcats have seen some improvement when it comes to in-state recruiting over the last few years, securing both Phoenix and Tucson prospects in the 2017 class. As we look ahead to the 2018 class, Arizona already has one commitment from a Tucson product, Jamarye Joiner.

Now the staff is looking at a particular safety in the Phoenix area.

Kenny Churchwell, a 6-foot-2, 180 pound safety out of Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, AZ) helped lead his team to the 6A State Championship Game, falling just short of the title. He finished the season with 73 tackles, 11 pass deflections, five interceptions, and forced two fumbles as well.

I got a chance to talk to him about his recruitment with Arizona.

As the Phoenix-area recruiter, special teams and tight ends coach Charlie Ragle took the lead on Churchwell, using his coaching ties to the area.

“We have been talking since he offered me,” Churchwell said about his conversations with Ragle. “He talked about the facilities and what the defense is like. He also told me the fit and schemes and I would be a great fit.”

Extremely blessed that I received an offer to university of Arizona http://pic.twitter.com/8URwpmnI36

— Champ74 (@BabyChurch23) October 21, 2016

“He invited me to a game and I accepted,” the safety added. Churchwell has already been to campus for unofficial visits twice this season since he was offered.

“I like how Arizona feels like a family and how organized the program is,” he continued. “I love the scheme and how the defense fights as a unit. The environment that surrounds it, it feels so much like a brotherhood and that's what (Mountain Pointe) is all about.”

The relationship only began two months ago, but Churchwell feels like Ragle is really looking out for his best interest. Constant communication has played a huge role in Churchwell’s recruitment and is something that he really appreciates in the early stages of his process.

“U of A is the only school that is invested in me,” he said about Arizona’s recruiting efforts. “Other schools send me letters and tell (Mountain Pointe Head Coach) Norris Vaughan that they are looking at me. U of A sends me a ton of letters and call my coaches asking about me and they also text me. It makes it a pleasure to be a part of the recruitment.”

It is still extremely early in his recruitment process, but he is talking to a handful of schools right now. Playing for one of the top teams in the state of Arizona is also sure to get him plenty of exposure as he approaches his senior year as well.

Cal, Colorado, Hawaii, and Arizona State are all in on him, and he feels as if ASU and Hawaii are close to offering.

“I don't have an idea of what time to commit,” Churchwell added about his presumed timeline of committing. “It's not a hard decision as of right now, Arizona is my only offer. I am grateful for having more time to decide upon. I just know U of A is on my top 3 list my senior year.”

You can watch Churchwell’s junior year highlights below.

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