Published May 16, 2020
Gridiron Arizona's 2021 Recruiting Update: 5/16
Chris Eaton  •  ArizonaVarsity
Staff

Arizona, Stanford offer Pinnacle defensive end Franklin

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UPDATED: 5/16/20

Colleges across the nation continue to take notice of the prep talent in Arizona each season. More than 330 players from the Class of 2020 have signed with schools to advance their football careers, and receive an education.

Of course, everything in sports has been ground to a halt due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Recruiting is not immune to that. The NCAA has extended its dead period for in-person recruiting through at least June 30. Schools are not permitted to host any official or unofficial on-campus visits during that time. Coaches are allowed to contact prospective student-athletes through phone calls, text messages, and in writing (but not in person). That is currently in effect for every sport in Division I and Division II.

New Mexico State has had success over the years recruiting next door in Arizona. The Aggies extended an offer to Ammon Allen on Tuesday. Allen is a 6-2, 195-pound safety at Highland. He totaled 75 tackles and intercepted four passes last season. In addition to carrying a 3.6 GPA, he was on the track team competing in both the 110-meter hurdles and the javelin. New Mexico State competes as a Division I FBS independent and thus, has to create its entire schedule. The Aggies set up a game this week with Abilene Christian for 2024. Closer to the current year, NMSU has contests set up with UCLA, Hawaii, and Florida this fall. The Aggies will also continue to face rivals New Mexico and UTEP.

Chandler tight end Eli Swope gained his first Division I offer from Southern Utah on Tuesday. Swope (6-2, 225), had 16 catches for 207 yards for the Wolves last season. He can't get into the team's weight room, but he's found time to lift some weights in his home gym. Swope recently posted a video where he did 20 reps of 225 pounds. An excellent student, he totes a GPA of 4.3. Southern Utah will take on an in-state opponent to start the season at home on Sept. 5 in Cedar City. It will be the first Division I game for visiting Dixie State. SUU plays in the Big Sky Conference and will travel to Flagstaff on Nov. 17 as the Thunderbirds and Lumberjacks battle for the Grand Canyon Trophy. Southern Utah was only 3-9 last year, but one of those wins came against Northern Arizona in a tight 31-30 battle.

Pinnacle junior Anthony Franklin, an All-6A Desert Valley Region selection at defensive end, has received an offer to play football for the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. The 6-4, 255-pound lineman had 47 tackles in 2019 with 15 tackles for a loss, nine of those quarterback sacks. Franklin now has offers from all three military academies. The exceptional student (4.6 GPA) also holds offers from seven of the eight Ivy League schools. Navy tied a school record with 11 wins against just two losses. The Mids topped Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. In addition to the bowl game trophy, Navy also took the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for victories over Army and Air Force. It was an incredible turnaround from a 3-10 record in 2018. Franklin added his first Pac-12 offer on Friday as Stanford extended one. Stanford recently extended its series with BYU and will meet the Cougars eight times over the next 16 years. One of those meetings is scheduled as the regular season finale this year on Nov. 28 in Palo Alto. The Cardinal finished 4-8 last year. It was their first losing record since 2008. Franklin only had to wait 24 hours for his second Pac-12 offer and it came from Arizona. The Wildcats have a new defensive coordinator in Paul Rhoads. The former UCLA defensive backs coach inherits a defense with eight returning starters. U of A will begin Pac-12 play on Sept. 12 at home in Tucson against Stanford. The Cardinal have won the last six meetings dating back to 2010.

Another school that has mined Arizona for talent is South Dakota State and the Jackrabbits are continuing to work on it for the Class of 2021. SDSU became the first Division I offer for Chandler defensive tackle Joseph Hoyt on Thursday. The 6-4, 250-pound lineman had five sacks last season in limited action. South Dakota State has become a regular in the FCS playoffs and this year, the Jackrabbits are going to take a shot at a big program when they travel to Nebraska on Sept. 19. SDSU finished 8-5 last season and made the postseason for the ninth time.

Idaho made offers to a few players this week. Richard Kwete, Damien Owens, and Darrion Daulton each collected them from the Vandals. Kwete is a 6-3, 250-pound defensive tackle at Sunnyslope. He played in just three games last season, but had 1.5 sacks against Kellis. Kwete also plays rugby and posts a 3.8 GPA. Owens is a 6-1, 170-pound wide receiver at Notre Dame. He led the Saints in catches (36), yards (604), and touchdown receptions (7). In the offseason (before lockdown), Owens competed in an EXOS regional showcase and was named to the Select 50 All-American Team. Daulton is a 6-3, 270-pound defensive tackle at Saguaro. He had 60 tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Sabercats, who made it all the way to the Open Division championship game. College coaches have been enjoying watching his film and Daulton's recruitment has grown into double-digit offers. Idaho finished 5-7 last season and will open its home schedule on Sept, 5 in the Kibbie Dome against Western Oregon. The Vandals return five All-Big Sky selections to this year's team. Daulton also tacked on two more FCS offers from Northern Colorado and Fordham. Northern Colorado is also a member of the Big Sky Conference. The Bears, along with Stanford, Centennial, and the rest of Arizona is mourning the sudden passing of Zach Hoffpauir. The 26-year old had just joined the Bears as an assistant coach in February. Hoffpauir played for Stanford's baseball and football teams. UNC was just 2-10 last season, but one of those wins came against Idaho (27-24). The Bears miss the Vandals in 2020. Fordham will play five games at home in the Bronx and one of its road games way out on the islands of Hawaii in 2020. The game at Hawaii is scheduled for Sept. 12. Fordham (4-8 last year) is beginning its 120th season of football. The Rams are in the Patriot League.

One of the defensive captains for Verrado last year was Jayden Harrington. The 5-11, 180-pound cornerback earned an offer from Western New Mexico on Thursday. Harrington had 38 tackles and three interceptions for the Vipers last season. VHS used a lot of man press coverage last season and that means its corners need physical and long-armed corners to jam and suffocate receivers. Western New Mexico finished just 2-10, but ended it with a W in a rivalry game against New Mexico Highlands. The Mustangs went on the road and used a second-half comeback to record a 23-17 victory. WNMU is a member of the Lone Star Conference (Div. II).

Here's the rest of the offers since last Tuesday:

Ironwood Ridge quarterback Peyton Pelletier received an offer from Olivet (Mich.).
Mountain Pointe linebacker Jason Ramirez-Corpuz received an offer from St. Norbert (Wisc.).
Pinnacle offensive tackle Gavin Guarino received his first offer from Rose-Hulman (Ind.).
Walden Grove kicker Adrian Alvarado received an offer from Simpson (Iowa).
Pinnacle offensive guard Alec Bernardo received an offer from Simpson.
Desert Edge linebacker Myles Hobbs received his first offer from Simpson.
South Mountain wide receiver Travis Gammage received his first offer from Simpson.
Higley safety Nik Rieck received an offer from Simpson.
Desert Edge safety Mikey Ortiz received an offer from Simpson.
O'Connor wide receiver Jake Gaines received his first offer from Simpson.
Mountain Ridge linebacker Deryk Leverage received his first offer from Simpson.
Walden Grove wide receiver Ty McDermott received an offer from Otterbein (Ohio).
Mountain Ridge offensive guard Sean Sisco received an offer from Occidental (Calif.).
Casteel center Mason Phillips received an offer from Mayville State (N. Dak.).

This list shows four-year college offers received by juniors throughout the state. It's not limited to just 6A and 5A. It will be constantly updated as we approach the Early Signing Period from December 16-18. Those are the first days that high school seniors can sign a letter of intent to agree to attend an institution.

Verbal commitments are shown in bold.

CLASS OF 2021 OFFERS

Rashon Adams - Centennial (WR): Abilene Christian, South Dakota State

Ammon Allen - Highland (FS): Air Force, Morehead State, Navy, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona

Adrian Alvarado - Walden Grove (K): Simpson, Trine

Elijah Anderson - Sunrise Mountain (CB): Simpson, Wisconsin-River Falls

Albin Arulanandu - Mountain Ridge (CB): Carleton

Dominic Avant - Buena (OT): Trine

Andrell Barney - Basha (CB): Hawaii, Montana State-Northern, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, Washburn

Hunter Barth - Queen Creek (FS): Arizona, Boise State, CALIFORNIA, Duke, Idaho, Iowa State, Northern Arizona, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Tulane, UCLA, UNLV, USC, Utah, Virginia, Washington State, Yale

Josh Baxter - Saguaro (RB): Lake Forest

Jaquel Bell - Glendale (WR): Mayville State, Wisconsin-River Falls

Isaac Benoit - Buena (RB): Simpson

Cade Berger - Perry (WR): Air Force, Northern Arizona

Alec Bernardo - Pinnacle (OG): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Simpson, Wisconsin-River Falls

Austin Bilski - Verrado (S): Puget Sound, Saint John's (Minn.), Trine, Willamette

Zach Blackwood - Desert Edge (DE): Northern Arizona

Zeke Branham - Skyline (SS): Abilene Christian, Air Force, Army, Ball State, Columbia, Dartmouth, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, Lehigh, Montana State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Penn, UC Davis, UNLV, Yale

Tony Brewer - Chandler (FS): Western New Mexico

Trey Brown - Arcadia (DE): Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Georgetown, Montana State, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, Tulane, UNLV, Utah State, Washington State

Brandon Buckner - Chandler (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Fresno State, Iowa State, Maryland, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Washington State

Denzel Burke - Saguaro (WR): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa State, Louisville, LSU, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northern Arizona, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, San Diego State, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, UNLV, USC, Utah, Washington

Zion Burns - Poston Butte (RB/DB): Abilene Christian, Austin Peay State, NEVADA

Caden Calloway - Campo Verde (RB): Wisconsin-River Falls

Jacob Carpenter - Verrado (DE): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Mayville State

Chandler Carter - Valley Christian (TE): Hope, Simpson, Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

Jacob Cisneros - Boulder Creek (RB): Colorado School of Mines, Southwest Minnesota State, West Virginia State, Yale

Mark Chavez - Arizona College Prep (QB): Hope, Simpson, St. Francis, St. Norbert, Trine

Dylan Cook - Ironwood Ridge (FS): Morehead State

David Cordero - Salpointe (RB): Morehead State

Logan Corfield - Desert Edge (OT): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Lake Forest, Morehead State, Southwest Minnesota State, Wisconsin-River Falls

Jaden Crockett - Alhambra (QB): Simpson

Alex Culbertson - Walden Grove (WR): Trine

Darrion Dalton - Saguaro (DT): Air Force, Army, Fordham, Idaho, Lehigh, Navy, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, San Diego State, UNLV

Joel Diaz - Arizona College Prep (FS): Grand View, Montana Tech, Rose-Hulman, St. Francis

Brock Dieu - Casteel (OT): Air Force, Arizona State, Army, Boise State, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Penn, Princeton, San Jose State, UC Davis, Utah State, WASHINGTON STATE, Yale

Tanner Dimond - Cactus Shadows (FS): Simpson

Bryan Dyson - Arizona College Prep (WR): St. Francis, Trine

Christian Earls - Basha (TE): Trine

Damarcus Ellis-Dennard - Brophy (LB): New Mexico State, Northeastern State, Washburn

Jovoni Ervin - Cesar Chavez (LB): St. Francis

Sebastian Fiery-Hardimon - Ironwood (CB): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

Sebastian Felix - Cienega (SS): Morehead State, Southwest Minnesota State, Washburn

Josiah Flores - Cienega (LB): Trine

Anthony Franklin - Pinnacle (DE): Air Force, Arizona, Army, Ball State, Brown, Colorado State, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Idaho, Indiana, Lehigh, Michigan State, Montana State, Navy, Northern Arizona, Penn, Princeton, South Dakota State, Stanford, Tulane, UNLV, Yale

Rogan Freeburg - Desert Mountain (WR): Wisconsin-River Falls

Scott French - Ironwood Ridge (DT): Simpson

David Fulton - Chandler (LB): Lake Forest, Simpson, Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

Jake Gaines - O'Connor (WR): Simpson

Anthony Galvez - Sunnyside (WR): Simpson

Travis Gammage - South Mountain (WR): Simpson

Bobby Gardea - Dysart (CB): Wisconsin-River Falls

Aaron Gerle - Greenway (DT): Abilene Christian, Harding, Houston Baptist, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, Southwest Minnesota State, Washburn

Kellen Gibson - Arizona College Prep (LB): Montana Tech, St. Francis

Logan Gingg - Verrado (RB): Abilene Christian, Bucknell, Cornell, Lehigh, Yale

Isaia Glass - Queen Creek (OT): Arizona, Army, Fresno State, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa State, Kansas State, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, San Diego State, Tulane, UNLV, Utah, Utah State, Washington State

Tony Gomez Jr. - Valley Christian (RB): Wisconsin-River Falls

James Groff - O'Connor (WR): Yale

Gavin Guarino - Pinnacle (OT): Western New Mexico

Capri Hamilton - Chaparral (WR): Trine

Anthony Hanger - Chandler (DT): Southwest Minnesota State, Washburn

Ricky Hanlan IV - Nogales (WR): Trine

Jadon Hanzal - Valley Christian (QB): Mary

Jayden Harrington - Verrado (CB): Arizona Christian, Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Lake Forest, Mayville State, Mount Marty, Simpson, Southwest Minnesota State, Trine, Western New Mexico, Wisconsin-River Falls

Will Haskell - Ironwood (QB): Akron, Duke, Fresno State, Iowa State, Northern Arizona, SAN DIEGO STATE

Heath Henderson - Desert Mountain (OT): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Simpson, Wisconsin-River Falls

Trey Hendrix - Peoria (OG): Southwest Minnesota State

Sione Hingano - Chandler (OT): Idaho

Myles Hobbs - Desert Edge (LB): Simpson

Liam Hoffmeyer - Cibola (TE): South Dakota State

Jack Howell - Hamilton (FS): Ball State, Colorado State, Montana, New Mexico, New Mexico State, North Dakota, Northern Arizona, South Dakota State

Joseph Hoyt - Chandler (DT): South Dakota State, Southwest Minnesota State

Andrew Husfelt - Cienega (C): Morehead State, Washburn

Krew Jackson - Queen Creek (FS): Air Force, Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Boston College, BYU, Idaho, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Navy, Northern Arizona, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Tulane, UNLV, Virginia, Washington State, Yale

Jonathan Justice - Lake Havasu (DE): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), St. Francis

Mikey Keene - Chandler (QB): Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Columbia, Eastern Michigan, Harvard, Hawaii, Middle Tennessee, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Penn, San Jose State, Tulane, UCF, Western Kentucky, Yale

Josiah Kidd - Desert Ridge (RB): Hope, Lake Forest, Wisconsin-River Falls

Caleb Kidney - Cienega (WR): Trine

Colby Kitson - Boulder Creek (LB): La Verne

Richard Kwete - Sunnyslope (DT): Idaho, Northern Arizona

Avery Lambert - Horizon (WR): Simpson, Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

Jake LeBlanc - Pinnacle (C): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Trine

Deryk Leverage - Mountain Ridge (LB): Simpson

Gabe Levy - Cienega (RB): Washburn, Western New Mexico

Zachary Lewis - Hamilton (CB): Army, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Washington State

Daxon Lindholm - Centennial (RB): Army

Eric Lira - Central (WR): St. Francis (Ill.), Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

Ben Lisk - Paradise Valley (LS): Carleton, Pacific

Qwestin Litz - Cienega (CB): Concordia Coll. (Minn.)

Alani Ma'afu - Saguaro (DT): Iowa State, Liberty, Memphis, Montana State, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, Tulane, Washington State

Eli Mackowski - Desert Mountain (LB): Concordia Coll. (Minn.)

Zion Magalei - Chandler (DE): Air Force, Arizona, Army, Brown, Navy, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Washburn, Yale

Andrew Mason - Perry (OT): Northern Arizona

Brock Mast - Liberty (QB): Mayville State, Wisconsin-River Falls

Brees McCraren - Salpointe (DE): St. Norbert, Trine

Ty McDermott - Walden Grove (WR): Culver-Stockton, Otterbein, Simpson, Trine

James Mcelhenny - Tolleson (QB): Wisconsin-River Falls

TJ McRae - Centennial (C): Memphis

Marcus McWilliams - Gilbert Christian (CB): St. Norbert

Bear Milacek - Boulder Creek (QB): Western Kentucky

Caiden Miles - Centennial (OT): Abilene Christian, Air Force, Columbia, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, UNLV, Yale

Jonah Miller - Sahuaro (OT): Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State

Kai Millner - Higley (QB): Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, CALIFORNIA, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa State, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, North Carolina State, Northern Arizona, Syracuse, UCF, Washington State

Max Minor - Chaparral (WR): Southwest Minnesota State

Jacob Moore - Boulder Creek (OG): Southwest Minnesota State, Washburn

Nicolas Nesbitt - Chandler (RB): Brown, Morehead State

Isaiah Negron - Verrado (WR): Trine

Tevai Neher - Chandler (C): Georgetown, Lamar

Daivon Nelson - Marcos de Niza (CB): Saint John's (Minn.)

Myles Newble - Brophy (RB): Saint John's (Minn.)

Isaiah Newcombe - Casteel (WR): Abilene Christian, Air Force, Army, Boise State, BYU, Colorado State, Columbia, Fresno State, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, Tulane, Utah, Yale

Ali'i Kai Ormita - Chandler (OT): Lake Forest

Kyler Orr - Chandler (LB): Abilene Christian, Air Force, Idaho, Morehead State

Anthony Ortiz - Mountain Pointe (TE): Southwest Minnesota State, Trine

Mikey Ortiz - Desert Edge (FS): Simpson, Trine

Steven Ortiz Jr. - Desert Edge (CB): Arizona, California, Duke, Houston, Idaho, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisiana, MINNESOTA, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Rutgers, San Diego State, Syracuse, UNLV, Washington, Washington State, William & Mary

Mason Osborn - Chaparral (OT): Southwest Minnesota State, Washburn

Damien Owens - Notre Dame (WR): Abilene Christian, Idaho, North Dakota, Southern Utah

Caleb Parker - Casteel (CB): Concordia Coll. (Minn.)

Andrew Patterson - Desert Edge (WR): Abilene Christian, Gardner-Webb, Idaho, Montana State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, North Dakota, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Southern Utah, Washburn, Western New Mexico

Parker Pelletier - Salpointe (CB): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Simpson, St. Norbert, Trine

Peyton Pelletier - Ironwood Ridge (QB): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Culver-Stockton, Olivet, Simpson, St. Norbert, Trine

Hank Pepper - Chandler (LB): Southwest Minnesota State, Western New Mexico

Mason Phillips - Casteel (C): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Culver-Stockton, Mayville State, Simpson, Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

Jayloni Pizarro - Gilbert (RB): Wisconsin-River Falls

Kyle Pointer - Casteel (DE): Abilene Christian, Wisconsin-River Falls

Hayden Preston - Campo Verde (OT): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Lake Forest

Jadon Prince - Desert Ridge (RB): Trine

George Ramirez - Red Mountain (SS): Northern Arizona, Washburn

Jason Ramirez-Corpuz - Mountain Pointe (LB): Simpson, St. Norbert

Jackson Ray - Highland (P): COLORADO STATE

Trey Reynolds - Queen Creek (LB): Air Force, Arizona, Boise State, BYU, Colorado, Duke, Fresno State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Northern Arizona, Oklahoma State, Oregon, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV, Utah, Utah State, Virginia, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin, Yale

Jalen Richmond - Chandler (WR): Abilene Christian, Eastern Michigan, Georgetown, Idaho, Missouri State, Navy, Nevada, New Mexico State, North Dakota, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, San Jose State, South Dakota State, Southern Utah

Nik Rieck - Higley (FS): Lake Forest, Simpson, Wisconsin-River Falls

Tate Rigby - Centennial (RB): Central Washington

Cavan Riggs - Queen Creek (CB): Wisconsin-River Falls

TJ Ritter - Chaparral (OG): Trine

JD Roberts - Notre Dame (DE): New Mexico, Northern Arizona

Stevie Rocker - Canyon del Oro (RB): Arizona, BYU, California, Nevada

Jan Ruiz - Sierra Linda (WR): Southwest Minnesota State

Eli Sanders - Chandler (RB): Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Dartmouth, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Tulane

Hunter Schlagel - Cienega (DT): Northern Arizona, Southwest Minnesota State, Washburn, Western New Mexico

Jake Schmitt - Corona del Sol (LB): Colorado State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah. Weber State

Jackson Sebastiani - Horizon (C): Mayville State

Junior Shima - Ironwood (RB): Trine

Brady Shough - Hamilton (WR): Northern Arizona

Taylor Siren - Highland (QB): Trine

Sean Sisco - Mountain Ridge (OG): Carleton, Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Lake Forest, Occidental, Rose-Hulman, Simpson

Dante Smith - Desert Ridge (OG): Abilene Christian, New Mexico, New Mexico State, North Dakota, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State

Daylin Smith - Marana Mountain View (LB): Western New Mexico

Thomas Smith - Ironwood Ridge (WR): Simpson

Elijah Sobas - Hamilton (LB): Concordia Coll. (Minn.)

Quintin Somerville - Saguaro (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Idaho, Kansas State, LSU, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, UNLV, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State

Tyler Speece - Skyline (SS): Concordia Coll. (Minn.), Saint John's, Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

Kayden Sutter - Higley (LB): Simpson, Wisconsin-River Falls

Evan Svoboda - Red Mountain (QB): Abilene Christian, Morehead State, Washburn

Eli Swope - Chandler (TE): Colorado School of Mines, Southern Utah

Myles Taylor - Williams Field (WR): Abilene Christian, Air Force, North Dakota, South Dakota State, Southern Utah

Justin Thomas - Casteel (OT): Abilene Christian, Idaho, Southeast Missouri State, Washburn

Ty Thompson - Mesquite (QB): Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Boston College, California, Colorado, Duke, Iowa, Iowa State, Louisville, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, North Carolina State, Northern Arizona, OREGON, Oregon State, Purdue, Utah, Wisconsin

Derek Torres - Mountain Ridge (DE): Simpson

Jeremiah Tyler - Chandler (DT): Air Force, Army, Ball State, Furman, Georgetown, Howard, Nevada, New Mexico

Nico Vasko - Westview (QB): Mayville State

Andrew Vescova - Paradise Valley (DT): Simpson, Trine

Chris Villalobos - Campo Verde (CB): Wisconsin-River Falls

Bram Walden - Saguaro (OT): Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, BYU, California, Colorado, Florida State, Iowa State, LSU, Memphis, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, OREGON, Oregon State, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, UNLV, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State

Isaiah Webb - Cienega (LB): Southwest Minnesota State, Western New Mexico

Xander Werner - Saguaro (TE): Air Force, Army, Bucknell, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, Texas State

Caleb Wilkins - North Canyon (QB): St. Francis, Trine, Wisconsin-River Falls

DJ Williams - Centennial (CB): Northern Colorado

Jared Williams - Chaparral (RB): Northern Arizona

Kentrell Williams Jr. - Chandler (SS): Furman, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Western New Mexico

Richie Williams - Arizona College Prep (RB): Hope, Saint John's, Simpson, St. Francis, Trine

Dominic Wright - Boulder Creek (RB): Simpson

Ashton Yurkiw - Sunnyslope (WR): Arizona Christian

Ironwood quarterback Haskell commits to San Diego State

UPDATED: 5/16/20

In a commitment video, Will Haskell made it clear he's not a wide receiver, not a running back, not a defensive back, but a quarterback. He ended it with an announcement that he will be headed to San Diego State.

The 6-4, 210-pound signal caller used both his arms and his legs to lead Ironwood to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Haskell attempted just 17 passes per game, but completed them at a 60 percent clip. He threw just four interceptions. The deception for opposing defenses was wondering if he would take off and run it. Haskell had the most carries among the Eagles with 106 and he rushed for 965 yards (9.1 yds/carry) and 14 touchdowns.

Combine those 14 TDs with his passing numbers and Haskell accounted for 34 touchdowns last season.

Haskell first saw action as a freshman at Deer Valley, appearing in five games. He transferred to Ironwood prior to his sophomore year. After sitting the first half of the year, he started the remainder of the season. The highlight performance was a 202-yard rushing effort against Sunnyslope.

San Diego State was the fifth of six Division I schools to offer Haskell, doing so in late February. He is the third quarterback in the Class of 2021 to commit, and ninth athlete from Arizona overall.

San Diego State finished with a 10-3 record last season, which was its fourth year with double-digit wins over the previous five. For the 10th straight year, there was a bowl game at the end (a 48-11 win over Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl). Following the season, head coach Rocky Long retired and Brady Hoke was chosen to replace him. Hoke, who previously coached at The Mesa in 2009-10, has 34 years of coaching experience. In addition to SDSU, he has been a head coach at Ball State and Michigan.


Despite having a new coaching staff, Washington State has come to the desert and successfully recruited an offensive lineman for the third straight season.

Casteel offensive tackle Brock Dieu announced his commitment to the Cougars via Twitter on Wednesday.

The 6-foot, 280-pound offensive tackle has played on varsity since his freshman year, when he was named to the All-3A state team. Dieu has seen his school choices continue to rise as the Colts have climbed from 3A to the 5A semifinals in 2019 and their first year in 6A this fall.

"For me, it was the overall best fit from the education standpoint to the football standpoint," Dieu said in a text message.

A three-sport athlete (wrestling and track), Dieu will be reunited with Class of 2019 Casteel alum Gunner Cruz, a quarterback at Washington State.

The past two classes, the Cougars have signed offensive linemen Hunter and Dylan Mayginnes from Hamilton.

On the field, Dieu brings pure nastiness. Arizona Varsity's Cody Cameron broke down his film and spoke to Dieu's position coach.

Off the field, Dieu is an excellent student that carries a 4.0 GPA. He plans to study Mechanical Engineering in Pullman. He received his offer from the Cougars in late March and hasn't set foot on campus yet, but did take a virtual tour. He's looking forward to a different environment than the Valley.

"The biggest thing (that stood out) was probably the small town college feel of it," Dieu said.

He is the second offensive lineman committed to WSU for this class.

Washington State hired former Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich in January. Rolovich led the Rainbow Warriors to their first 10-win season since 2010 last year. The new offensive line coach, Nick Weber, was with Rolovich the past two seasons in Honolulu. Weber brings 38 years of coaching experience including time at UCLA and Oregon State. The Cougars finished 6-7 last season and played in the Cheez-It Bowl in Downtown Phoenix. Wazzu became bowl eligible with a wild 54-53 victory at home over Oregon State in November. There were 48 points scored in the fourth quarter alone and QB Anthony Gordon was 50-of-68 for 606 yards and threw six touchdowns.

CLASS OF 2021 COMMITMENTS

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

Hunter Barth (FS) - Queen Creek
Kai Millner (QB) - Higley

COLORADO STATE RAMS

Jackson Ray (P) - Highland

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

Steven Ortiz Jr. (CB) - Desert Edge

NEVADA WOLF PACK

Zion Burns (DB/RB) - Poston Butte

OREGON DUCKS

Ty Thompson (QB) - Mesquite
Bram Walden (OT) - Saguaro

SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS

Will Haskell (QB) - Ironwood

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS

Brock Dieu (OT): Casteel