Thursday, May 31, 2018

Arizona target Parker Braun commits to Missouri, will be a preferred walk-on

Braun will reportedly be put on scholarship in 2019-20

Arizona Wildcats target Parker Braun has committed to the Missouri Tigers, according to his travel team, Mokan Basketball.

The unranked forward will start his Missouri career as a preferred walk-on, but will become a scholarship player in 2019-20, per PowerMizzou.com .

Aside from Arizona, Braun also had offers from Illinois, LSU, Ole Miss and Nebraska.

The Overland Park, Kansas native was UA’s last known 2018 recruiting target, so it seems increasingly likely that the Wildcats will roll into the 2018-19 season with the roster they already have, especially since they recently put former walk-on Jake DesJardins on scholarship.

Congratulations to alum Parker Braun on his recent commitment to Mizzou! Proud of all his hard work & excited for him and his entire family! #mokanFAM pic.twitter.com/SonQNEA8lw
— MOKAN Basketball (@MokanBasketball) May 31, 2018

Arizona has enough depth at guard and on the wing to survive, but things are a little dicey in the frontcourt.

UA returns Ira Lee, who had a minuscule role as a freshman, and adds Pitt graduate transfer Ryan Luther, who played just 10 games last year due to an injury, and Chase Jeter, who struggled in two seasons at Duke before transferring to Arizona.

There’s also Emmanuel Akot, who, like Lee, didn’t play much as a freshman.

It’s unlikely Braun would have played much, if at all, as a freshman at Arizona, but he would have added a fifth body into the mix, and you can never have too much depth.

But the Wildcats hosted Braun for a visit, so it doesn’t seem like they had a whole lot of interest in bringing him on board.

Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire

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Mailbag: Answering your Arizona football recruiting questions

You, the readers, sent us your questions about Arizona Wildcats football recruiting, and we answered them.

Here we go.

From @DaxTrujillo: Will this be the best Arizona class (ranking) ever?

I do think it’s a possibility, but I honestly believe it’ll be just behind the 2014 class, which was 31st nationally, per 247Sports. I do think that the quality of players will be quite impressive, kind of like how the 2017 class was, but a step up.

From @catsSZN: Thoughts on (Michael) Wiley and chances we get (Grant) Gunnell and bring along some of his receivers?

I’ll start with Michael Wiley who gave his pledge to Arizona over the weekend. He might not be the flashiest running back, but he has all the fundamentals that a coach can hone and make him a weapon.

His vision of the field and running lanes is what stands out most to me. It allows him to weave his way through the defense and into the open field. He is able to then to utilize his speed for huge chunk plays. I do think he can also be a solid pass-catching option out of the backfield. Overall I think he is a solid prospect and there is definitely a reason Clarence McKinney prioritized him. (Wiley has already been upgraded to a three-star prospect.)

As for Gunnell, I think something crazy would have to happen for him not to commit to Arizona. And I think Arizona would have a better shot at Elijah Higgins and Jaylen Ellis. Jalen Curry, Gunnell’s teammate, would also give Arizona a more serious look.

I also believe Chase Lane, who is a Texas A&M commit, would give the ‘Cats serious consideration, too.

From @BoCooch: Thoughts on Adam Plant and his academic standing? New blood at DT, Nose Guard? Offensive line depth thoughts?

When it comes to Adam Plant, I believe that he will qualify and make it to campus. I know the issue is being worked, and as of now, I’m not worried about it.

The defensive line looks completely different. It looks more like a Pac-12 defensive line and I can’t remember the last time Arizona’s line has looked like that. With Dereck Boles, Sione Taufahema, PJ Johnson, Mykee Irving, Kurtis Brown, and Finton Connolly, that is a rotation I can get behind. And those are just the interior linemen. I expect more of a pass rush than in recent memory.

The offensive line depth is...kind of there. I don’t think that the group can take too many injuries. It’s the lack of experience that’s probably the biggest obstacle it will have to overcome. The group has talent it just needs to gel.

From @AZ4Duke: Why does the official UofA site not have bios of the coaching staff? It’s non-supportive of recruiting.

I have no idea. Usually the roster, both for players and the coaching staff, gets fully updated during the reporting period right before fall camp. I’d expect the same this year. As for bios, I don’t think it affects recruiting at all. Usually the parents and players know the background of the coaches by building those relationships that are important during the process.

The bios are usually for the fans. (Editor’s note: and for media)

From @jamescasillas: Give us your prediction of the biggest sleepers at every position at Arizona.

Ok, here we go:

Quarterback: Kevin Doyle/Jamarye Joiner

Running Back: Anthony Mariscal/Branden Leon

Wide Receiver: Brian Casteel/Stanley Berryhill

Tight End: Jamie Nunley

Offensive Line: Bryson Cain

Defensive End/Stud: Jalen Harris

Interior Defensive Line: Sione Taufahema

Linebacker: Jacob Colacion/Anthony Pandy

Cornerback: Tony Wallace

Safety: Chacho Ulloa

Special Teams: Lucas Havrisik

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LeBron James wanted Cavaliers to draft Andre Iguodala in 2004: “I had loved him at Arizona”

Oh, what could have been...

The Cleveland Cavaliers struggled to find a running mate for LeBron James in his first stint with the team, which led to his infamous departure to the Miami Heat in 2010, when he teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to win two championships in four years.

James eventually returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and led them to their first title in 2016, but maybe he would have never left in the first place if the 2004 NBA Draft went a little differently.

Like, one pick differently.

The Cavaliers had the No. 10 selection that year, and James was hoping former Arizona Wildcats forward Andre Iguodala would fall to them.

“I had loved him at Arizona,” James said of Iguodala, who averaged 12.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists as a sophomore at the UA.

James almost got his wish until the Philadelphia 76ers nabbed Iguodala with, yep, the ninth pick.

Cleveland’s consolation prize? Not a good one. It selected Oregon forward Luke Jackson, who appeared in just 73 games in the NBA.

Iguodala has obviously had a much better pro career, using an envious all-around game to be a fringe All-Star caliber player for over a decade now.

A James-Iguodala duo would have given the Cavaliers unmatched athleticism and skill on the wing. Maybe Cleveland’s first championship would have come a lot sooner.

Now Iguodala, who is battling a leg injury, will try to be a thorn in James’ side as James tries to lead the Cavs past the Warriors in the NBA Finals for the second time in the last three years.

James doesn’t like to think about what could have been.

“But obviously you guys (the media) like those stories so that’s why I gave it to you,” he said.

LeBron once wished Andre Iguodala joined the Cavs: pic.twitter.com/qACFCflT1T
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 30, 2018

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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Arizona’s Alyssa Palomino named first-team NFCA All-American

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Football recruiting SitRep: On the future of Arizona’s o-line, 2019 targets, and more

Taking a look at the men in the trenches

The Arizona Wildcats are finishing up the spring evaluation period, and if there’s one position the coaching staff has targeted the most, it’s been the offensive line.

During the Spring Game, the offensive line was the group that showed they needed the most work.

We will delve into more on that below. We will also look into who the Wildcats are targeting for 2019, including more on four-star quarterback Grant Gunnell.

Without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s SitRep.

Grant Gunnell, QB

On Tuesday, Adam Gorney of Rivals.com reported that Gunnell has a Top 3 of Arizona, California, and Ohio State.

I feel like Arizona is the leader and I’m comfortable enough to say that. He does not have a date for an announcement but I believe it will come within the next two weeks. So keep an eye out.

If Arizona does land Gunnell, I think it would have a better shot at wide receiver prospects like Elijah Higgins and Jaylen Ellis.

Jalen Curry, Gunnell’s high school teammate, would probably give Arizona a more serious look too, as would Chase Lane, a Texas A&M commit.

Offensive Line

Key Returners: Josh McCauley, Jon Jacobs, Bryson Cain, Layth Friekh, Nathan Eldridge, Alex Kosinski, Michael Eletise, Cody Creason

Returning Redshirts: Tshiyombu Lukusa, Edgar Burrola, Tyrell Aponte, Maisen Knight, Tyson Gardner

Key Losses: Jacob Alsadek, Christian Boettcher, Gerhard de Beer, Levi Walton

Key Newcomers: David Watson, Donovan Laie, Steven Bailey, Robert Congel (per reports)

Returner Notes: As noted earlier, the o-line had a rough go of it during the Spring Game. And with the loss of three starters, it’s not really surprising that there were issues. The current group has a lot of talent and a lot of potential, they just need to gel together. Plus there were some projected starters out during the Spring Game.

The projected starting lineup seems to be Friekh, Eletise, Eldridge, Cain, and Creason. Even then I’m not sure that is set in stone. There are plenty of other players who will push for playing time as well. One glaring issue is the lack of returning experience.

Obviously, Friekh and Eldridge have plenty of experience, and Creason is someone who is a very solid option, especially after stepping up to start at right tackle after de Beer suffered some injuries the past couple of seasons.

Eletise is a former 4-star and played in 11 games last season. I expect him to break out this season. Kosinski is another player who has game experience and can bounce between guard and center. McCauley played a few games last season at left tackle while Cain is a bit of an unknown. Both the old and new coaching staff really like him, but his season ended last year before it began due to an injury.

Redshirt notes: Lukusa is the big name to keep an eye on here. The big Michigan State transfer came to Tucson last year and had to sit out due to transfer rules. His first spring with the ‘Cats ended early with an injury but expect him to come back during the fall and make noise. He should play this season. Burrola and Knight are two other players I expect to see time this season.

Newcomer Notes: Moving on to the newcomers and we find early enrollee and legacy player David Watson. At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Watson was someone who was making some noise this spring. Some of the coaches were impressed with his performance in his first spring with the program. It’s possible Watson will see time but I’d expect a redshirt year to sharpen his skills.

The other two newcomers are Steven Bailey and Donovan Laie. Bailey is an offensive guard from Glendale C.C. Donovan Laie is a big tackle who was the best offensive lineman from the San Diego-area in his class.

As I was typing this, it was reported that former Texas A&M offensive lineman Robert Congel will be transferring to Arizona and rejoining Kevin Sumlin.

Congel saw time as a backup offensive guard, seeing action in five games as a true freshman. He walked on in College Station, but reports suggest he will be on scholarship at the UA.

2019 OL Targets

There are 29 offers out to offensive linemen for the 2019 class. That tells me the UA is looking to add anywhere from three to four.

Here are some of their targets:

Logan Sagapolu, 3-star

6-foot-3/340 pounds/Skyridge High School (Lehi, UT)

Arizona is doing well with the big lineman from Skyridge. One reason is that he is related to former Wildcat QB Willie Tuitama. The other reasons are Iona Uiagalelei and Davy Gnodle.

Sagapolu is genuinely intrigued by the ‘Cats and I’d expect a visit from him in the near future. He visited Washington State this past weekend. He has eight offers as of now, with half of them coming from the Pac-12. As always with o-lineman of his caliber, there will be competition for him but I expect UA to be in it until the end.

A couple of aspects of his game that stand out are his footwork and his speed and explosiveness.

Drake Nugent, 3-star

6-foot-2/260 pounds/Highlands Ranch High School (Highlands Ranch, CO)

Nugent is one of the best linemen in Colorado. Arizona visited him over the spring eval period as did many other Power Five schools. The ‘Cats have started recruiting Colorado more and more now that Joe Gilbert is in Tucson. Plus, with the amount of quality linemen the state produces every year, it makes sense.

Nugent is up to nine offers with Arizona State as the only other Pac-12 school on his list. Other schools include Memphis, Oklahoma State, Colorado State, UNLV, and Wyoming. It’s still pretty early in Nugent’s recruitment, so UA has time to assert itself in this recruitment.

He has a really high motor and a real nasty side to his game. He uses the motor and his strength to create a solid push to drive the defense back.

McKade Mettauer, 3-star

6-foot-4.5/285 pounds/St. Pius X High School (Houston, TX)

The general feeling is that Arizona leads for Mettauer or at the very least are one of the top teams. Some of that has to do with the ‘Cats sitting well with his quarterback, Grant Gunnell.

The other part is that Mettauer really enjoyed his visit to Tucson when he came to town in April. Other schools involved include California, Nebraska, Illinois, Houston, and Missouri. This is definitely a recruitment that Arizona fans should keep an eye on.

Mattauer utilizes his hands really well and has a good amount of strength. An added bonus is that if Arizona does land Gunnell and Mettauer decides to go with Arizona, they will already have a rapport.

Sataoa Laumea, 3-star

6-foot-4/305 pounds/Eisenhower Senior High School (Rialto, CA)

Laumea is another huge target for the ‘Cats. His recruitment picked up once schools were able to visit him and he picked up some other huge offers.

As of now he has 25 total offers with 10 Pac-12 teams on his list, minus Washington and Stanford. He also has teams like Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Ole Miss pushing for his services.

As of now the feeling is that Laumea will be difficult to pull away from Los Angeles and California in general, but UA is going to try.

Laumea is a big, physical presence along the line. I like him at left tackle but honestly, I think I like him more on the defensive side of the ball.

Cam’Ron Johnson, 3-star

6-foot-4/283 pounds/Shadow Creek High School (Pearland, TX)

Johnson is up to 14 offers with Arizona and Oregon State being his Pac-12 offers. Other schools involved include Colorado State, Hawaii, New Mexico State, New Mexico, and East Carolina among others.

Johnson received his offer from Arizona a little over 10 days ago and he is already someone to watch. He isn't going to commit right away but you never know with recruiting. He is sort of a sleeper prospect but I expect Arizona to continue to pursue him.

He can add more weight to his frame but he does have strength and decent footwork. He has all the tools that a coach can develop around.

Bailey Elder, 3-star

6-foot-6/295 pounds/Stadium High School (Tacoma, WA)

Elder’s recruitment has started to take off a little and he is up 15 total offers. Arizona and Virginia are his Power Five offers and he holds a couple of Ivy League offers. Other teams on his list include San Diego State, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah State, and Air Force. It doesn’t appear that he is close to a decision and he recently stated that the San Diego State offer intrigued him. We will have to see how aggressively Arizona pursues Elder as the cycle plays out.

I really like how Elder plays. He has high motor and is a violent, physical prospect. He does not stop until his opponent is on the ground.

Cole Birmingham, 3-star

6-foot-4.5/294 pounds/Katy High School (Katy, TX)

Birmingham has garnered a ton of attention from schools all over the country and he deserves the attention. He controls his body well and is solid in pass protection because of it. His footwork is a little robotic but he is still able to do his job effectively. He gets great push along the line which makes him more effective in run blocking. Birmingham can bounce around the entire line at the next level. It’s going to be a tough pull for the ‘Cats but Birmingham is a prospect I’d expect them to pursue aggressively.

Michael Lynn, 3-star

6-foot-7/300 pounds/Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village, CO)

Lynn’s recruitment picked up some steam during the spring eval period. He finished the spring with 12 offers with Utah, Arizona State, and Washington State joining the ‘Cats as his Pac-12 offers. Other teams vying for his commitment include Oklahoma State, Boise State, Colorado State, and Wyoming. Arizona is doing well in this recruitment at the moment and I’d expect them to stay in it until the end.

Lynn is another aggressive prospect with a high motor and ability to drive the defenders back. If he continues his development throughout the upcoming camp season, I expect his recruitment to continue to gain steam.

2019 Watchlist

This is a new section in the SitRep where we keep a running list of players that we believe will commit to Arizona soon or players they are doing well with. It will be updated every week.

Jalen Cropper: 4-star Athlete; 22nd ranked ATH; Clovis, CA

Jalen Curry: 4-star Wide Receiver; 20th ranked WR; Houston, TX

Grant Gunnell: 4-star Pro-style Quarterback; 3rd ranked Pro QB; Houston, TX

Elijah Higgins: 4-star Wide Receiver; 24th ranked WR; Austin, TX

Drake Jackson: 4-star Weakside Defensive End; 27th ranked WDE; Corona, CA

Tre’Mon Morris-Brash: 4-star Weakside Defensive End; 21st ranked WDE; Washington, D.C.

MyKael Wright: 4-star Cornerback; 5th ranked CB; Valencia, CA

Stephon Wright: 4-star Strongside Defensive End; 14th ranked SDE; Los Angeles, CA

Don Chapman: 3-star Wide Receiver; 211th ranked WR; San Diego, CA

Bailey Elder: 3-star Offensive Tackle; 96th ranked OT; Tacoma, WA

Jaylen Ellis: 3-star Wide Receiver; 80th ranked WR; Round Rock, TX

Maurice Gaines: 3-star Cornerback; 96th ranked CB; Oakdale, CT

Cam’Ron Johnson: 3-star Offensive Tackle; 110th ranked OT; Pearland, TX

Brandon Joseph: 3-star Safety: 79th ranked S; College Station, TX

Michael Lynn: 3-star Offensive Tackle; 60th Ranked OT; Greenwood Village, CO

Shamar Martin: 3-star Cornerback; 47th ranked CB; San Diego, CA

Dez Melton: 3-star Athlete; 75th ranked ATH; Glendale, AZ

McKade Mettauer: 3-star Offensive Guard; 38th ranked OG; Houston, TX

William Nimmo: 3-star Safety; 61st ranked S; Santa Ana, CA

Sio Nofoagatoto’a: 3-star Defensive Tackle; 83rd ranked DT; Clearwater, FL

Mark Perry: 3-star Safety; 35th ranked S; Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Seth Robinson: 3-star Outside Linebacker; 57th ranked OLB; Scottsdale, AZ

Logan Sagapolu: 3-star Center; 4th ranked C; Lehi, UT

Eddie Siaumau: 3-star Safety; 109th ranked S; Pago Pago, AS

Nassir Sims: 3-star Defensive Tackle; 95th ranked DT; Goodyear, AZ

J.L. Skinner: 3-star Athlete; 80th ranked ATH; San Diego, CA

Jaden Tauanu’u: 3-star Outside Linebacker; 108th ranked OLB; Pittsburg, CA

Jaxen Turner: 3-star Safety; 67th ranked S; Moreno Valley, CA

Khyheem Waleed: 3-star Wide Receiver; 84th ranked WR; Queen Creek, AZ

Kwabena Watson: 3-star Outside Linebacker; 50th ranked OLB; Fresno, CA

Jalen Williams: 3-star Outside Linebacker; 105th ranked OLB; Phoenix, AZ

Devyn Butler: Unranked Cornerback; Allen, TX

Chris Roland: Unranked Athlete; Palmdale, CA

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Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Alfonso Rivas, Cesar Salazar unlikely to return to Arizona in 2019

The pair of juniors will likely turn pro

Now that the Arizona Wildcats’ season has ended, head coach Jay Johnson plans to evaluate the 2019 roster and prepare for next year.

No one expects star catcher Cesar Salazar or first baseman Alfonso Rivas to be part of the team. The pair of juniors will be entering the MLB Draft and, ideally, signing with a team when all is said and done.

“Hopefully I’ve played my last game at Arizona, but I don’t know how to process it yet,” Rivas said Monday, a few hours after the Wildcats were left out on Selection Monday. “It hasn’t really hit me. So now we’ll just wait and see how I feel.”

“That was one of my goals — play three years of college baseball and then move on,” Salazar said. “Right now it’s pretty tough because of the special bonds I’ve made throughout my three years, but I think it’s time to move on, and hopefully I’m going to get a chance to continue my baseball career in pro baseball.”

Arizona’s offense will miss Rivas and Salazar dearly, as they both had incredible junior seasons.

Rivas hit .342/.425/.529 with seven homers, 15 doubles, three triples, and 52 RBI. Salazar batted .339/.432/.471 with four homers, 11 doubles, and 42 RBI.

They have been with Johnson since the get-go, as all three entered the program in 2015-16. Salazar believes they put Arizona baseball back on the radar by winning 121 games and guiding the program to the College World Series in 2016.

“I’ve known Alfonso Rivas since he was in eighth grade. I recruited him at three schools,” Johnson said. “I mean, there may be better players in the country, but there’s nobody I would want walking up to the plate with runners on base more than him. And he’ll be a success in professional baseball.”

Said Johnson of Salazar: “He’s my favorite player I’ve ever coached. I mean it’s almost hard to talk about. There’s not a better human being on the planet than him. ... The playing thing is great. He’s one of the best catchers in the country and I can’t say enough.”

Salazar said Johnson is like a father to him.

“I’ve created a special bond with him,” Salazar said. “He gave me an opportunity. He didn’t know who I was my freshman year and building that relationship for three years, it’s pretty special. He’s going to be a part of my life the rest of my life for sure.”

Unsurprisingly, Rivas and Salazar said their favorite memory at Arizona was appearing in the College World Series. And missing the NCAA Tournament this year has made them appreciate it even more.

“Back then I didn’t really know how big it was to make it to the World Series, just because it was the first year, we made all those incredible runs,” Rivas said. “But now being on the outside and last year losing at a Regional, that was a special team. That’s probably the one thing that’s going to stick with me the most.”

“It was the best experience of my life,” Salazar said. “I wish I would have done it again. But yeah, going to Mississippi State, taking the first two games there, then booking a ticket to Omaha, it was unbelievable.”

Salazar and Rivas said they both had better experiences at Arizona than they could have imagined. Still, they know their time in Tucson is likely at its end.

“I learned a lot, matured a lot as a person and as a ballplayer,” Salazar said. “It’s been a fun ride.”

Added Rivas: “Coming in, I wasn’t a big-time recruit or anything. I was a good high school player, good numbers, didn’t really expect to start my freshman year. I was kinda happy to be here. ... And then everything just turned around from there. I was buying into the program and college baseball and college life and everything, and everything just started clicking together. I’m very grateful for my experience at Arizona, and I would never change it for anything.”

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Monday, May 28, 2018

Andre Iguodala out for Game 7 of Western Conference Finals

A left leg contusion will force the former Wildcat to miss his fourth straight game

The Golden State Warriors are going to have to reach the NBA Finals without their glue guy.

Andre Iguodala will miss Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets on Monday due to a left leg contusion, head coach Steve Kerr announced.

It’s the fourth game in a row the former Arizona Wildcat has missed. Iguodala injured his leg in Game 3 after colliding with Rockets guard James Harden on a drive.

“He’s frustrated.” Kerr told reporters Monday. “If he could play he would play, but his body has not responded at this point. We’re still hoping that over the next few days if we are able to win tonight, he’ll make some improvement, but he has not gotten to where he needs to be.”

Iguodala’s absence is a big blow for the Warriors, who benefit from his all-around game. The Warriors’ net rating — offensive rating minus defensive rating — was +8.2 when Iguodala was on the court in the regular season, and it jumped to +11.1 in the postseason.

Golden State’s best lineup — nicknamed the “Death Lineup” — includes Iguodala, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green.

Iguodala’s defensive ability would be crucial for the Warriors against a Houston team that ranks No. 1 in offensive efficiency. But, alas, they will have to get the job done in Game 7 without him. However, it’s worth noting that the Rockets were without star point guard Chris Paul in Game 6, and he might not suit up Monday, as he is listed as a game-time decision.

Iguodala is averaging 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in the playoffs. He averaged 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during the regular season.

He is the only former Arizona Wildcat still playing in the postseason.

Game 7 starts at 6 p.m. PT on ESPN. The winner will face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals.

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Arizona baseball misses the NCAA Tournament

The Wildcats are out of the postseason for the first time in the Jay Johnson era

The Arizona Wildcats have missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in head coach Jay Johnson’s three-year tenure.

The selection committee released its 64-team bracket Monday morning and the UA was left out. Four other Pac-12 schools — Stanford (host), Oregon State (host), UCLA, and Washington — did make the cut.

Arizona was one of the first four teams out, along with Illinois, Kentucky, and UCF. The last four in were Troy, Dallas Baptist, Oklahoma State, and Northeastern.

It’s not a surprise. Experts at Baseball America, Perfect Game, and D1 Baseball all projected the Wildcats would narrowly miss the postseason.

The biggest blemishes on Arizona’s resume? It finished 14-16 in the Pac-12, was 5-7 against top-50 teams, had an RPI of 46, and a strength of schedule of 54.

NCAA baseball tournament chair Ray Tanner specifically said a sub-.500 conference record was a hindrance to any team’s postseason aspirations.

The Wildcats were also 11-16 away from Hi Corbett, lost 13 games by one run, and lost eight games to teams with losing records. In all, they were 34-22.

On the other hand, UA’s biggest selling points — which Johnson laid out Saturday — were that it had a non-conference RPI of 11, won six of 10 Pac-12 series (including a series win vs. Oregon State and a sweep of UCLA), and won 15 non-conference games in a row.

Plus, Arizona was finally healthy after returning catcher Cesar Salazar, outfielder Cal Stevenson and, most recently, left-hander Randy Labaut from injury.

Evidently that wasn’t enough.

Looking ahead, Arizona will lose two starting outfielders and some key arms to graduation, and perhaps a whole lot more to the MLB Draft.

Here’s a brief look at who’s graduating, returning, or potentially leaving for the MLB Draft:

Key returners: 3B Nick Quintana, IF Jacob Blas, OF Donta Williams, IF Cameron Cannon, OF Matt Fraizer, LHP Randy Labaut, RHP Zach Sherman, OF Tate Soderstrom

Key departures: OF/C Ryan Haug, OF Cal Stevenson, RHP/DH Seve Romo, RHP Robby Medel, RHP Juan Aguilera, RHP Tylor Megill, RHP Zach Stone

MLB Draft candidates: C Cesar Salazar, RHP Cody Deason, RHP Michael Flynn, 1B Alfonso Rivas

Arizona has the No. 12 recruiting class in the country, per Perfect Game. The headliner is left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore, who is the No. 2 overall prospect.

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Sunday, May 27, 2018

A way-too-early look at 2019 Arizona softball

The Wildcats return all but two starters next season

Arizona softball’s season came to an end Friday when it lost to UCLA in Super Regionals.

The Wildcats went 43-16, including a 13-11 mark in the Pac-12. It’s the eighth straight year they have fallen short of the Women’s College World Series.

Will 2019 be the year they finally return to Oklahoma City? Hillenbrand Stadium will look a lot different, but UA’s roster won’t.

Here’s an early outlook.

Most key players are returning

Barring any transfers, Arizona will only lose three players this offseason. Two are starters — outfielders Ashleigh Hughes and Aleah Craighton — while the other is backup catcher Robyn Porter.

So Arizona will return the power bats of shortstop Jessie Harper, first baseman Alyssa Palomino, and catcher Dejah Mulipola, a rock-solid second baseman in Reyna Carranco, and its entire pitching staff.

Other key players set to return are starting third baseman Malia Martinez, designated player Ivy Davis, reserves Hillary Edior, Tamara Statman, and Joelle Krist, and outfielders Jenna Kean and Carli Campbell.

Martinez, Davis, and Kean were everyday starters by the end of the season, but they will have to compete to keep their starting jobs.

Martinez started in every game but one, and struggled mightily in the second half of the season, Davis was a boom-or-bust hitter, and Kean surged at the end of the year, but scuffled at the beginning.

I’d expect all three to be starters in 2019, but it wouldn’t be surprising if someone emerges and takes their spots. Kean does seem like a safe bet to start given her speed and versatility in the left-handed batter’s box.

Not to mention she can play all three outfield spots and Arizona has to replace Hughes and Craighton.

How much better will the returners be?

Returning a lot of players is generally a good thing because that means your team has more experience and less uncertainty. But what if those returners just aren’t good enough to form something special?

That’s a dilemma Arizona might be faced with, especially within its pitching staff. Taylor McQuillin and Alyssa Denham are good pitchers, but not elite.

Here are their numbers compared to the top pitchers in the Pac-12 (all these players are returning next season, by the way):

Miranda Elish, Oregon: 0.89 ERA
G Juarez, ASU: 0.91 ERA
Rachel Garcia, UCLA: 1.02 ERA
Gabbie Plain, UW: 1.06 ERA
Taran Alvelo, UW: 1.12 ERA
Megan Kleist, Oregon: 1.14 ERA
Taylor McQuillin, Arizona: 1.68 ERA
Alyssa Denham, Arizona: 1.85 ERA

Denham and McQuillin will be a year older, a year more experienced in 2019, but will one of them take that step forward and join the conference’s elite arms? Will Hanah Bowen or Gina Snyder emerge? Will one of Arizona’s two incoming freshman pitchers make an immediate impact?

Those are the million dollar questions. If the answers are no, Arizona will probably be a middle-of-the-road team in the Pac-12 again. The Wildcats were 2-12 against UCLA, Oregon, Washington, and ASU this year. Pitching wins.

From an offensive perspective, Arizona will hit a lot of home runs in 2019, but it needs to improve its situational hitting.

That’s usually a skill that develops as players get more experience and expand their “database,” as Mike Candrea calls it.

Arizona led the conference in long balls per game, but was just fifth in runs scored.

Open outfield

Arizona’s outfield is wide open heading into the 2019 season. Hughes and Craighton, the only two full-time starters, are set to graduate.

Soon-to-be sophomores Carli Campbell and Jenna Kean both made several starts in the corner outfield, so they should have a leg up on the competition entering the fall and spring.

As a whole, Arizona will have a young outfield. Aside from Kean and Campbell, the only other returner listed as an outfielder is freshman Taryn Young, who was a pinch-runner in 2018.

And only one of Arizona’s five signees, Riley Kuderca, is listed as an outfielder.

Maybe Palomino will move back to the outfield and someone like Krist or Edior will start at first base, but that seems unlikely given Palomino’s history of knee injuries.

So UA’s outfield is likely going to consist solely of freshmen and sophomores to go along with its infield that will exclusively be made up of juniors.

UA adds five recruits

Speaking of UA’s signees, the Wildcats inked five recruits for 2018. The headliner is Pinnacle High School right-hander Marissa Schuld.

Here’s an overview of the class. Check out Schuld’s strikeout numbers.

Marissa Schuld, right-handed pitcher

Pinnacle High School, Phoenix, AZ
2018 stats: 11-1, 0.74 ERA, 76 innings, 151 strikeouts, .574/.626/1.252 with 16 HR, 12 doubles, 57 RBI
2017 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year
2017 AZ Central Softball Player of the Year

Vanessa Foreman, right-handed pitcher

Gahr High School, Cerritos, CA
2018 stats: 11-2, 1.11 ERA, 88.2 innings, 91 strikeouts
Named USSSA Elite Select first-team All-American in 2016
Two-time PGF National Champion with the OC Batbusters

Ali Ashner, utility

Hamilton High School, Chandler, AZ
2018 stats: .566/.570/.1.013 with 5 HR, 19 doubles, and 36 RBI in 21 games
Tore her ACL in May.
All her accolades can be seen on her very impressive personal website.

Isabel Pacho, catcher/infielder

Ironwood Ridge High School, Tucson, AZ
2018 stats: .653/.750/1.094 with 9 HR, 13 doubles, and 38 RBI
First-team all-state 2015-18

Riley Kuderca, outfielder

Patterson High School, Patterson, CA
2018 stats: .462/.506/.589 with 1 HR, 2 doubles, 3 triples, 11 RBI, 22 SB
Ranked No. 75 nationally by FloSoftball

Roster updates

Here are roster notes that people have asked about, and here’s the link to UA’s 2018 stats if you want to catch up.

Freshman catcher Lexi Harrington redshirted this season.
Freshman infielder Hannah “Peanut” Martinez appeared in two games early in the season, but is hoping to get a redshirt year.
Sophomore infielder Jaycee Lindley, who served as a pinch-runner before leaving the team mid-season, is no longer listed on the roster.
Would-be-freshman pitcher Taylor Gilmore left the team before the start of the season.

Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire

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‘Without question’ Arizona deserves to be in NCAA Tournament, Jay Johnson says

We’ll find out Monday if he’s right

The Arizona Wildcats took two of three from the Oregon Ducks in Eugene to complete the regular season, and now they have to play the waiting game to see if they have earned a spot in the postseason.

Arizona (34-22, 14-16 Pac-12) is firmly on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, and likely on the outside looking in if you believe the experts on the matter.

But Arizona head coach Jay Johnson, who is totally unbiased on the matter, says his team should be in the postseason “without question.”

“Non-conference RPI of 11, strength of schedule within the top 40. We’ve won 15 non-conference games in a row. We won six of our 10 Pac-12 series. And just looking out there, there’s a lot of players deserving of playing in the NCAA Tournament,” Johnson told the Pac-12 Network after Saturday’s 11-4 win vs. Oregon.

“Given that opportunity, we’re not going to let anybody down. I believe we’re one of the best teams in the West region and we’ll display that if given the opportunity.”

But here are some figures that work against Arizona: The Wildcats’ RPI is 46, they are 5-7 against the top 50, they are below .500 in their conference, and their strength of schedule is actually 54th, per Warren Nolan, not within the top 40 as Johnson said.

Then again, the Wildcats would be entering the postseason at full strength after dealing with injuries to three key players during the regular season — catcher Cesar Salazar, outfielder Cal Stevenson, and left-hander Randy Labaut.

Salazar and Stevenson have been back in action for a while now, but Labaut pitched Saturday for the first time since suffering a leg injury on March 17.

The sophomore tossed two 1-2-3 innings. Might that help UA’s chances?

“He’s our best pitcher. As you saw, that’s 10 weeks without that,” Johnson said. “And to accomplish the things we accomplished without him, I’m really proud of our team.

“Salazar was out for a while, Stevenson was out for a while, but given the full complement, I guarantee we’ll be playing on Sunday night (in a regional final) wherever they send us with that opportunity.”

Johnson continued with his pitch, “I think the depth of our pitching staff gives us a chance to perform well. We can matchup with a lot of different people, and so hey, wherever it’s at — Gainesville, I don’t care — let’s get the Wildcats in there and do whatever we can. We’ll make NCAA baseball proud. We’ll make the state of Arizona proud and the Pac-12, which is still one of the best baseball conferences in the country. It should be represented with five teams.”

The selection show is Monday at 9 a.m. PT on ESPNU.

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Saturday, May 26, 2018

2-star RB Michael Wiley commits to Arizona

The ‘Cats land their second Texas commit

The Arizona Wildcats have landed 2-star running back Michael Wiley, who announced his commitment Saturday on Twitter.

Wiley becomes the third member of UA’s 2019 class, joining cornerback Logan Wilson and rising punter Kyle Ostendorp. Wiley and Wilson are both from Texas.

Wiley is the No. 126 running back in the country, and the 236th-best player in Texas, according to 247Sports.

The 5-foot-10, 175 pound standout from Strake Jesuit College Prep (Houston, TX) landed his offer from UA at the end of February. Wiley visited Tucson for the Spring Game, but it seems that as soon as the ‘Cats offered, it was only a matter of time until he committed.

Excited to announce that I have committed to play at the University of Arizona #BearDown #AMDG pic.twitter.com/5sQzbZotS4
— Michael Wiley (@_michaelwiley) May 26, 2018

Wiley finished his junior season with 154 carries for 1,063 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also snagged 20 passes for 205 yards and three scores.

Wiley is more of a north-and-south runner. He does have some wiggle, but he has good vision. He is able to see running lanes and cutback opportunities, which allows him to get into the open field.

He doesn’t have break-neck speed, but he can still go the distance and pick up big chunks of yards.

Here are his junior season highlights:

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Arizona’s Chase Jeter named an ‘impact transfer’ by ESPN

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Friday, May 25, 2018

Arizona listed as 13-point favorite for season-opener vs. BYU

The Cougars beat the Wildcats on a last-second field goal in 2016. Oddsmakers don’t expect the rematch to be as close.

For the second time in three years, the Arizona Wildcats will open their season against the BYU Cougars.

BYU beat the UA on a last-second field goal in Glendale, Arizona in 2016, but oddsmakers don’t think the 2018 rematch in Tucson will be as close.

The Wildcats opened as 14-point favorites, per Odds Shark, but they have dropped to 13-point favorites in the last couple days — still a healthy spread.

Arizona went 7-6 in 2017, but is expected to compete for a Pac-12 South title in 2018, given the return of Heisman candidate quarterback Khalil Tate, a new (and hopefully improved) coaching staff, and the seasoning of a young, but promising, defense.

The Cougars went 4-9 in 2017 after back-to-back nine-wins seasons. It was BYU’s first losing season since 2004.

The Cougars are usually known for their high-powered offense, but they struggled mightily on that side of the ball in 2017, averaging just 17.1 points per game.

BYU returns three quarterbacks that were unimpressive a season ago and adds freshman Zach Wilson, a former three-star who recruit who had a strong showing in the spring.

Tanner Mangum threw for 23 touchdowns as a freshman in 2015, but has had trouble staying healthy since then, and is coming off an Achilles injury suffered last November.

SB Nation’s Bill Connolly projects BYU as the No. 78 team in the country, factoring in its recent history, returning production, and recruiting. Arizona checks in at No. 33.

The Wildcats are 12-10-1 all-time vs. BYU, and should be 13-10-1 after September 1 if the oddsmakers are right.

If BYU pulls off the upset? Arizona would have to beat Houston on the road in Week 2 to avoid an 0-2 start.

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Thursday, May 24, 2018

What to watch in the Arizona-UCLA Super Regional

The best rivalry in college softball will begin another chapter Thursday

A new chapter of college softball’s most historic rivalry will unfold Thursday when the No. 3-seeded UCLA Bruins (54-5) host the No. 14-seeded Arizona Wildcats (43-14) in the first game of Super Regionals.

It’s a best-of-three series and the winner will advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Thursday’s game is set for 6 p.m. PT, as is Friday’s game. Saturday’s game (if necessary) would be at 4 p.m. The first and third contests of the series will be televised on ESPN, while the second game will be on ESPN2.

Here are some things to watch in Westwood.

More history

UCLA and Arizona are the two most storied programs in college softball, and it’s not close.

The Bruins and Wildcats lead the sport in national championships, with 11 and eight, respectively. Oklahoma is behind them with four.

Arizona has produced 99 All-Americans; UCLA has produced even more.

“It’s a World Series matchup in my eyes and you have to play the game at that level,” said longtime Arizona coach Mike Candrea.

Not only do UCLA and Arizona compete on the diamond, but on the recruiting trail as well.

Like UCLA, Arizona’s entire starting lineup hails from California, and most of its players faced UCLA’s players in high school and travel ball.

So there’s unparalleled talent, history, and familiarity in the rivalry.

“We always talk about our rivalry with ASU, but I don’t think anything really compares to this one,” said UA first baseman Alyssa Palomino. “There’s so much history there and it’s a battle all the time.”

The Bruins lead the all-time series with Arizona 88-57, but Arizona is 8-6 against UCLA in the postseason.

However, this will be the first time the schools will meet in the NCAA Tournament anywhere other than the Women’s College World Series.

“Normally those games are all going to be challenges, and it comes down to executing the game,” Candrea said. “And the team that gets hot, the team that executes is going to win.”

Arizona has not reached the WCWS since 2010, when it lost to UCLA in the championship series.

Can UCLA continue its recent domination of Arizona?

The regular season series between the Wildcats and Bruins this season was one Arizona would like to forget.

UCLA swept UA in Tucson, outscoring Arizona, 24-12. That capped off a stretch in which the Wildcats lost six in a row and nine of 12.

Arizona was going through a rough patch, but is in a different place now, winning 14 of its last 15, including all three games of the Tucson Regional last weekend.

The Wildcats believe they are peaking at the right time.

“They came out and played their best game and we didn’t come out and play ours, but I think this weekend for sure is going to be different,” Palomino said of the rematch with UCLA. “They don’t know what we can do. They haven’t seen our best team and I think it’s going to be a better battle this time.”

UCLA has won eight straight series against Arizona.

McQuillin’s mastery

Arizona ace Taylor McQuillin (28-10, 1.45 ERA) was rocked by the Bruins in the regular season, surrendering 13 runs on 14 hits (four homers) in nine innings. That raised her ERA to 1.86, which was the highest it was all throughout Pac-12 play.

But the left-hander has not surrendered more than two runs in an outing since then, and is playing her best softball entering Super Regionals.

The junior was lights out in the Tucson Regional, tossing 19.2 scoreless innings. McQuillin allowed just six hits, six walks, and struck out 23.

What’s changed?

“Nothing,” said UA catcher Dejah Mulipola. “I’ve just noticed that she comes out knowing that we have one game to move on.”

McQuillin agreed.

“We’re trying to survive during the postseason,” she said. “That’s really all it is.”

UCLA is second in the nation in batting average (.338) and fourth in runs per game (6.46).

Candrea said the key for McQuillin this weekend will be keeping the Bruins off-balance and working them inside, preventing them focusing on one part of the strike zone.

“I think we learned a lot from the last time we played them, so I think that will be a good thing for us,” he said.

As Candrea always says, success in softball begins in the circle, so McQuillin will need to be stellar for the Wildcats to punch their ticket to OKC.

Garcia’s fatigue

Arizona and UCLA had very different paths to Super Regionals. The Wildcats won all three games they played, while the Bruins lost their opener and had to five play games before finally claiming the Los Angeles Regional against Cal State Fullerton.

That meant they had to use their ace, Rachel Garcia, a lot. The sophomore right-hander threw over 500 pitches in a three-day span, pitching all but four innings in UCLA’s five games.

She only allowed three earned runs in 30.1 innings, but Arizona is hoping all that usage catches up to her in Super Regionals.

That’s because Garcia, who is also one of UCLA’s best hitters, is usually untouchable.

She is the Pac-12 Pitcher and Player of the Year, posting a 1.01 ERA in 173 innings, with a staggering 255 strikeouts.

“She’s a very smart pitcher,” said UA shortstop Jessie Harper. “She works well to get ahead and once she’s ahead she can mess with you a little bit.”

Garcia usually does that with her wicked riseball.

“She likes to throw that ball,” said Palomino, who has been facing Garcia since she was 13. “She’ll keep it low, but also high enough to where you can’t hit it. Or she’ll throw it high over your head. I think if we lay off that pitch and let her supply the power, I think we’ll be able to do big things with our bats.”

Arizona’s offense came alive in the Tucson Regional, scoring 10 runs in the last two games, and the Wildcats believe their bats are heating up.

But Garcia allowed just two runs in 11.2 innings in the regular-season series, so something will have to give in the rematch.

“She’s up in the zone, so our ability to lay off the ball that’s elevated is crucial,” Candrea said. “But if we’re seeing the ball well with her, then I think we’ll have some success.”

Easton Stadium’s “electric” atmosphere

UCLA’s Easton Stadium has a unique atmosphere. Palomino, trying her best not to say anything bad about it, described it as “electric.”

While it’s a small ballpark — it only seats a shade over 1,300 people — the fans are extremely close to the action, which can be daunting for opposing players. And Easton Stadium is enclosed by trees which only exacerbates that effect.

“Their stadium is tough to play in,” Harper said. “So coming in with a young group, it’s gonna be key to keep our composure.”

Easton Stadium has other characteristics Arizona isn’t accustomed to. The left- and right-field foul poles are only 190 feet from home plate, while the batter’s eye is 210. Those measurements are 10 feet shorter than those at UA’s Hillenbrand Stadium.

Then there’s the cool, thick, moist air which is a far cry from the conditions commonly found in Tucson.

That said, Palomino expects there to be a large contingent of Arizona fans in Westwood which can help mitigate UCLA’s home-field advantage.

“Honestly, I think it’s going to be pretty even this weekend,” she said. “We’re pulling so many strings right now and I think it’s going to be exciting.”

UCLA is 24-3 at home this season, and has won eight of its last nine against the Wildcats at Easton Stadium.

Can Martinez get going?

Third base was a position of strength for Arizona last season, as it featured Pac-12 all-time home run leader Katiyana Mauga at the hot corner, but it has been a position of weakness in 2018.

Sophomore Malia Martinez hit .383 in non-conference play, but has seen her average drop all the way to .270 entering Super Regionals.

Despite being an everyday starter, she has just nine hits in her last 24 games.

Martinez has been dropped to seventh in the lineup, and was even pinch-hit for in the win vs. Mississippi State on Sunday after failing to come through multiple times with runners in scoring position.

The rest of Arizona’s lineup has been hot lately, so it would be huge if Martinez can get on track, too.

“We need to try to get more confidence back in her swing,” Candrea said. “Right now, she’s not staying in her legs and she’s swinging through a really short zone. She’s getting around everything. And in this game, when you’re giving yourself one opportunity to hit a pitch, it doesn’t happen very often.

“So we’re trying to get her through the zone a little longer, stay inside the ball. I mean, it’s the things that we work on and try to do all the time. It’s just applying it (in games). Sometimes it can be you’re just not seeing that pitcher well, it can be too much going on in your head, so we’re going to try to spend a little time and tweak a few things to see if we can get her going.”

Does UCLA have a weakness?

Candrea said defense is usually UCLA’s weakness, but he doesn’t think that applies to this year’s team, saying it has improved “tremendously” in that aspect of the game.

Still, the Bruins are just fifth in the Pac-12 in fielding percentage (.970), which is one spot below Arizona.

“They’ve got all the parts to the puzzle, so you’ve got to beat them,” Candrea said. “Going in there, we’ve got to find a way to pitch well, we’ve got to find a way to get quality and efficient at-bats, doing the little things, moving runners and playing great defense.”

Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire

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Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Recruiting SitRep: A look at Arizona’s future at TE, the new commit, and more

Time to delve into the tight end position group

It’s been a very busy couple of months for the Arizona Wildcats on the recruiting trail. The ‘Cats continue to push out to their recruiting areas and offer new prospects weekly.

The ‘Cats are also in great standing with a high-level Texas quarterback and a 2020 Southern California talent from a powerhouse program. UA also addressed a position of need, adding a big-legged specialist.

To top it off we will look at the tight end position group and answer some reader questions.

There’s a lot to cover so let’s get to it in this week’s SitRep.

Grant Gunnell, QB

We’ll start with the gunslinger from Houston. Arizona had him out on an official visit in late April and since then the ‘Cats have been right in the thick of things. Arizona has been trending recently with the 4-star signal caller, and with Gunnell’s relationship with Kevin Sumlin and Noel Mazzone, it’s not too surprising.

Ohio State and LSU will be Arizona’s biggest competition, but if the ‘Cats pull the upset, it not only sets the tone for 2019, but for future classes as well. Gunnell’s commitment to UA would also give the ‘Cats a huge boost in Texas and players who normally wouldn’t look at Arizona could end up being more serious about playing in Tucson. This is definitely a recruitment to watch in the coming weeks.

Kyle Ostendorp, P

Next we will move on to the newest member of Arizona’s 2019 class. On Monday night Ostendorp gave the Wildcats his pledge, joining Logan Wilson. as UA’s second 2019 commit.

Ostendorp’s announcement came hours after UA offered him. Ostendorp has a strong leg, averaging 41.3 yards per punt in his junior season. That kind of kicking can flip field position in a hurry. He has decent hang time on his punts, too.

It has been made perfectly clear that Kevin Sumlin and company are not messing around when it comes to correcting special teams issues.

FULL ARTICLE

Darion Green-Warren, CB

Arizona received some more good news Monday when one of the best players on the West Coast for 2020 released his Top 5 schools. The Santa Ana-Mater Dei 4-star has a list of Arizona, USC, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Wisconsin.

As of now, Oklahoma and USC are considered the favorites but Green-Warren’s relationship with Demetrice Martin has the ‘Cats right in the thick of things. He will be announcing his college choice on July 4, and even if he doesn’t choose UA, I would expect Martin to continue recruiting him.

Green-Warren is the 13th-ranked cornerback and 105th player overall in the 2020 class, per 247Sports.

Tight Ends

Key Returners: Bryce Wolma and Jamie Nunley

Key Losses: Trevor Wood

Key Newcomers: Zach Williams and Jake Peters

Returner Notes: Both Wolma and Nunley took over the position in 2017 from Trevor Wood after the latter was sidelined with an injury. And the young freshmen did not disappoint. Wolma became one of the more consistent receiving options for Arizona and improved his run blocking throughout the season.

Nunley not only was a solid run blocker but he too was a solid receiving option. He has good hands and toughness, as does Wolma, and has some speed that Wolma doesn’t.

Both players didn’t make too much noise during Arizona’s open scrimmage or spring game but it would be a huge shock if offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone didn’t incorporate them into the offense.

Newcomer Notes: Both newcomers add to an already talented group. Williams and Peters bring what coaches want in their tight ends. Williams was used mainly as a receiver in high school but put on the needed weight to make the transition to tight end at the next level. He has great hands and runs solid routes. His flexibility can allow him to split out wide and be a big-bodied receiver.

Peters was on track for an explosive high school career before an Achilles injury sidelined him for a year. Still, the Wildcat legacy had a solid senior season, showcasing great run blocking and hands.

This group of tight ends will be the most talented group at the position that I can remember (Gronk was one player).

2019 TE Target

As of now, the ‘Cats aren’t really looking at too many tight ends but there is one prospect I want to highlight, as I can see him eventually playing in Tucson.

Dez Melton, 3-star

6-foot-4/210 pounds/Deer Valley High School (Glendale, AZ)

Career Stats (10 games): 8 rec, 148 yds, 1 TD; 236 car, 1,701 yds, 19 TD

Melton was mainly used as a running back for Deer Valley last year but he has the versatility to line up on the line or split out wide. He is a tough player and runs hard when he has the ball. He is deceptively fast for his size and has a little wiggle. He is someone I can see Arizona use like Jamie Nunley — line up on the line or sometimes split wide. Melton recently took a visit down to Tucson and it seems the ‘Cats have started to single him out a bit. This is a recruitment I’d keep an eye on as the cycle unfolds.

Reader Questions

From @azjangle: How are we addressing depth on the offensive line?

The ‘Cats are scouring the country for offensive lineman. As of Monday night, UA has offered 29 offensive lineman from all over the country. That shows you they are tracking the issue. Arizona is doing well with a few, including Bailey Elder, Logan Sagapolu, and McKade Mettauer. Due to limited scholarships, though, the 2019 class is going to be small, somewhere around 13 as it stands. I do expect UA to look into the grad transfer market and look into players like Florida transfer Andrew Mike.

One reason Arizona is in this situation is during the 2017 cycle they only brought in Edgar Burrola. They did bring in three o-linemen for the 2018 class and I’d expect them to bring in another three in 2019.

From @jamescasillas: Does Arizona finish with a Top 25 recruiting class?

For the 2019 class? No. But I’d expect it to be hovering around the Top 35. Now I do expect Sumlin and crew to consistently have classes ranging from 25 to 35 every season. Now if Arizona lands Gunnell, that could cause a snowball effect where UA gets multiple high-level prospects. But only time will tell. I say stay patient. Sumlin will have better and higher-rated classes than the previous regime.

2019 Watchlist