UPDATED: 4/8/21

Colleges across the nation continue to take notice of the prep talent in Arizona each season. More than 310 players from the Class of 2021 have signed with schools to advance their football careers, and receive an education.

Picking an offer up from Boise State last Thursday was Lance Holtzclaw. The 6-4, 200-pound defensive end at Desert Ridge already has offers from a couple of Pac-12 schools. He had 27 tackles and a pair of sacks in six games for the Jaguars last year plus nine tackles for a loss. Holtzclaw can also play receiver and hauled in 13 passes for 186 yards. He is ranked No. 8 overall in the state for the 2022 class by Rivals. With Arizona being one of the few states in the West to have a high school football season, it proved advantageous in getting junior film for Holtzclaw. He is preparing for his senior year by playing 7-on-7 ball with True Buzz. Holtzclaw competed in 7's in Dallas last month with a few of his D-Ridge teammates. Boise State is gearing up for its spring game, which will take place on April 10. In addition to hosting 5,000 fans at Albertsons Stadium, the Broncos are encouraging attendees to make a contribution to the Idaho Foodbank. The school will be holding a canned food drive next week leading up to the game. BSU finished 5-2 last season and played in the Mountain West Championship Game. The '21 season begins with a long cross-country road trip to Orlando to meet UCF (6-4 in 2020) on Sept. 4.

Gaining his first Division I offer last Sunday was Brigham Alexander, who got it from Morehead State. The 6-6, 310-pound Benjamin Franklin offensive tackle was a Second Team All-4A Desert Sky Region selection last season. Aside from football, Alexander is a heavyweight wrestler and carries a 4.5 GPA. He trains with Ron Sowers at TBA. Alexander also played some defensive line and recorded six tackles against Peoria. Morehead State had a resounding 35-14 win at Butler on Saturday. The Eagles passed for 382 yards while the defense picked off four passes. MSU (2-3) is at home for its final two Pioneer Football League (FCS) games. This Saturday, the Eagles host Valparaiso (3-1) in Kentucky.

Receiving a new offer on Monday was Parker Brailsford. The 6-3, 265-pound offensive guard at Saguaro received it from Hawaii. Brailsford is one of four returning players with varsity starting experience on the O-Line. He can bench 325 and also totes a GPA of 3.4. Brailsford now has a total of 15 offers with a half dozen of those coming from the Mountain West Conference. He is versatile (can play any position on the line) and hopes to study Engineering in college. Hawaii had a total of 40 football players earn All-Academic conference honors from the past semester. Included in that was offensive lineman Ilm Manning, an Apollo alum, who was a three-year honoree. The Rainbow Warriors finished 5-4 last season and won the New Mexico Bowl (which was played in Frisco, Texas) against Houston. UH will open the '21 season at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena against UCLA on Aug. 28.

Another player from the 5A San Tan Region, Daniel Santiago, collected a Mountain West offer this week. It came from Colorado State for the Horizon defensive lineman. Santiago, a 290-pound defensive tackle and end, was a nominee for the Arizona Varsity 5A Defensive Breakout Player of the Year. As a junior, he totaled 28 tackles (tied for the team lead) and three sacks. The 2020 season was his first in Arizona as he moved here from Utica, N.Y. after his sophomore year. Colorado State had 39 players make the conference All-Academic team. Included in that was kicker Robert Liss, a Verrado alum, who is in his freshman year at Fort Collins. The Rams had four of their planned eight-game schedule canceled and finished 1-3 in 2020. The '21 slate begins on Sept. 4 with a Green Out at home against South Dakota State. CSU will face both Boise State (at home on Oct. 30) and Hawaii (on the island on Nov. 20) this season.

Red Mountain tight end Jordan Morris saw his offer count climb by another one on Wednesday with one from New Mexico State. The 6-4, 225-pounder is a physical specimen and one of the top prospects in the state at that position. Morris is now up to eight offers. He transferred to RMHS from Apache Junction and played in three games last season, catching 127 yards worth of passes and a pair of touchdowns. In his sophomore year at AJ, he hauled in seven TDs in his 20-reception, 473-yard season. Morris also carries a 3.9 GPA. New Mexico State football will return to its home state this August. The Aggies didn't play last fall as they are an independent and played just two in the spring, with both contests in El Paso. NMSU defeated Dixie State on March 7 to split the pair of games. The new full season starts on Aug. 28 in Aggie Memorial Stadium against long-time Texas rival UTEP. New Mexico State's schedule will stretch the nation as the Aggies play road games at Hawaii (Oct. 23) and defending national champ Alabama (Nov. 13).

Morris added an offer on Thursday from Fresno State. FSU had 54 players make the Mountain West Conference All-Academic team. Included in that was tight end Raymond Pauwels Jr., a Millennium alum, who is a senior with the Bulldogs. Fresno finished 3-3 in 2020 (two cancellations). The '21 schedule starts at home in Bulldog Stadium on Aug. 28 against UConn. In September, the 'Dawgs will travel to Pac-12 country twice (Oregon on Sept. 4 and UCLA on Sept. 18).

Javen Jacobs, a teammate of Brailsford at Saguaro, already has offers from the military academies (Air Force & Army) and the Pac-12 (Arizona State & Colorado). On Wednesday, he earned his first Ivy League offer from Yale. Jacobs (5-11, 185) is a two-sport athlete with the Sabercats as he's playing baseball right now. In just six games, he had 886 all-purpose yards and scored touchdowns (six in all) via the run, on a reception, and on a punt return. A wide receiver, Jacobs caught 24 passes for 392 yards. Yale is still the reigning Ivy League champions as the league did not play in the 2020-21 academic year. The Bulldogs (9-1 in 2019) will take on UConn in '21 for the first time in 22 years. Connecticut also canceled its fall season due to the pandemic. The intrastate game will take place in Hartford (a road game for Yale) on Oct. 16.

Also getting a new offer from a prestigious East Coast school on Wednesday was Brandon Craddock. The 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker at O'Connor received it from Georgetown. Craddock was among the leaders in the state in tackles with a total of 141 for the Eagles. For the second straight season, the junior also racked up 3.5 sacks. O'Connor was one of the surprise teams in the Valley last year as it advanced to the 6A semifinals. The Eagles return all three of their starting linebackers in '21. Like Yale, Georgetown opted to forgo a football season in this academic year. The Hoyas plan to return this fall and have renovated their home field. The new-look Copper Field in D.C. will welcome Marist (N.Y.) for the opener on Sept. 4. GU holds a 17-5 advantage in the series. The Hoyas play in the Patriot League (FCS) and finished 5-6 in 2019.

Arizona remains on the Southwest Minnesota State football recruiting map. The Division II school continues to pursue talent in State 48 and on Thursday, was the first college to offer Amari Gilmore. The 5-11, 175-pound defensive back at Poston Butte was a First Team All-4A Black Canyon region selection last season. Gilmore led the Broncos with 75 tackles and intercepted four passes while also recording two sacks. He scored touchdowns last season with a rush, a fumble return, an interception return, and a kickoff runback. There was no football season this academic year for Southwest Minnesota State, but the team added a total of 72 high school and transfer athletes last February. A pair of those (Anthony Ortiz - Mountain Pointe and Eric Lira - Mesquite) are from Arizona. The Mustangs play in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and finished 3-8 in 2019.

A year ago at this time, Russell Davis was preparing for his first year of varsity football after playing his first two seasons on the Freshman and JV teams. Today, the Hamilton defensive end is now at nine offers after obtaining an offer from Boston College on Thursday. The 6-4, 215-pound lineman had 61 tackles and 13.5 sacks as the Huskies made it all the way to the Open Division championship game. Last week, MaxPreps named Davis an All-American. Boston College got five spring practices in before the Easter Break. The Eagles are working toward their Spring Game on April 24, which will be televised on the ACC Network. BC finished 6-5 last season. The Eagles kick things off on Sept. 4 at home in Chestnut Hill against Colgate (N.Y.).

Here's the rest of the offers from the past week:

Chandler cornerback Alfred Smith received an offer from Western New Mexico.
ALA-Gilbert-North wide receiver Johnny Bellino received his first offer from Montana Tech.
St. Mary's quarterback Nick Martinez received an offer from Jamestown (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 15-17. 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 2022 OFFERS

Quaron Adams - Chandler (RB): Arizona, Arizona State, California, Hawaii, Howard, Idaho, Iowa State, Kansas, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Oregon

Brigham Alexander - Benjamin Franklin (OT): Morehead State

Christian Anaya - Hamilton (WR): Northern Colorado

Elijah Barclay - Salpointe (WR): Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois State, Nebraska, Purdue, TCU, Utah, Utah State

Johnny Bellino - ALA-Gilbert North (WR): Montana Tech

Bryan Bogardus - Saguaro (RB): St. Norbert

Treyson Bourguet - Salpointe (QB): Arizona, Columbia, Idaho, Vanderbilt

Shakaun Bowser - Casteel (LB): Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan, Oregon State, Southern Mississippi, Utah, Utah State

Parker Brailsford - Saguaro (OG): Air Force, Arizona, Boise State, BYU, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Kansas State, Michigan State, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, USC, Washington State

Gavin Broscious - Desert Edge (OG): Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, MICHIGAN STATE, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV, Utah, Vanderbilt

Devin Brown - Queen Creek (QB): Arizona, Arizona State, Iowa State, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Northern Arizona, Northwestern, Oregon State, USC, Wisconsin

Jake Burrow - Notre Dame (C): St. Norbert

Connor Clinton - Casteel (SS): Army

Kaden Cloud - Williams Field (RB): Air Force, Army, Columbia, Navy, Oregon State

Nason Coleman - Chandler (TE): Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, BYU, Colorado State, Dartmouth, Idaho, Iowa State, Nebraska, New Mexico, Princeton, UCF, UNLV, Utah, Utah State, Yale

Brandon Craddock - O'Connor (LB): Georgetown, Morgan State

Miles Crutchley - Saguaro (LB): Army

Brevin Czosnyka - O'Connor (LB): Army, Navy

Jalen Daniels - Red Mountain (QB): Howard, Morgan State

Russell Davis - Hamilton (DE): Arizona, Boston College, Colorado State, East Carolina, Fresno State, Idaho, Nevada, San Diego State, Utah State

Ridge Docekal - Saguaro (QB): Appalachian State, Bucknell, Columbia

Amar Elmore - Chandler (DE): Dartmouth

Owen Faulkner - O'Connor (DT): St. Norbert

Angel Flores - Casa Grande (QB): Columbia, Georgetown, Morgan State, Northern Arizona

Amari Gilmore - Poston Butte (FS): Southwest Minnesota State

Kyion Grayes - Chandler (WR): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Iowa State, Kansas, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Nebraska, Northern Arizona, OHIO STATE, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, USC, Utah

Devon Grubbs - Desert Vista (RB): Air Force, Arizona, Arizona State, Northern Arizona

Donovan Guyton - Williams Field (FS): Air Force

Kaden Hicks - Mountain Ridge (OG): Lake Forest

Andrew Hinojos - Campo Verde (OT): St. Norbert

Blaine Hipa - Chandler (QB): Hawaii, Tennessee

Jacob Holmes - Chandler (DT): Arizona, Arizona State, Fresno State, Idaho, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Utah State, Washington State

Lance Holtzclaw - Desert Ridge (DE/WR): Air Force, Arizona, Boise State, Boston College, Idaho, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan, Oregon State, San Diego State, Vanderbilt

Taj Hughes - Brophy (WR): Presbyterian

Javen Jacobs - Saguaro (RB): Air Force, Arizona State, Army, Colorado, Colorado State, Idaho, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Yale

Aziya Jamison - Williams Field (RB): Arizona State, BYU, Idaho, New Mexico, Northern Arizona

Isaiah Johnson - Chandler (DT): Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah State

Brody Kallman - Cienega (DE): Culver-Stockton

Bryan King - Queen Creek (FS): Northern Arizona, Southern Mississippi

Adryan Lara - Desert Edge (QB): Arizona, Iowa State, Kansas, Oregon State, WASHINGTON STATE, William & Mary

Ethan Lee - Brophy (RB): La Verne

Anthony Lucas - Chaparral (DT): Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, California, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Iowa State, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin

Micah Lutu - Saguaro (OG): Arizona State, New Mexico

Marcus Lye - Brophy (K/P): Presbyterian

Nicco Marchiol - Hamilton (QB): Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Charlotte, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida, Florida Atlantic, FLORIDA STATE, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Liberty, LSU, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers, South Florida, TCU, USC, Utah, Washington State

Ivan Martin - Saguaro (CB): Army, Navy

Nick Martinez - St. Mary's (QB): Jamestown, St. Norbert

Michael Masunas - Hamilton (TE): Air Force, Army, Florida State, Maryland, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Pennsylvania, San Diego State, UNLV

Jeryl McIntosh - Desert Edge (RB): Morgan State

Keaton Messerole - Arizona College Prep (OT): St. Norbert

Kane Metts-Terrell - Liberty (WR): Morehead State

Kevin Miniefield Jr. - Desert Ridge (CB): Air Force

Tristan Monday - Saguaro (DE): ARIZONA, Baylor, Colorado, Florida State, Idaho, Iowa State, New Mexico

Andrew Morris - Mesquite (LB): Idaho, New Mexico, Northern Arizona

Jordan Morris - Red Mountain (TE): Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah State, Yale

Benjamin Morrison - Brophy (CB): Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boston College, Colorado, Duke, Florida State, Indiana, Iowa State, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, UCLA, UNLV, Washington, Washington State

Andrew Petersen - Casteel (DT): Southern Mississippi

Tyler Powell - Brophy (TE): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida State, Idaho, Iowa State, New Mexico State, UCLA, UNLV

Jai Rodriquez - Desert Vista (OT): Arizona State, Idaho, Northern Arizona

Daniel Santiago - Horizon (DT): Air Force, Arizona, Army, Buffalo, Colorado State, San Diego State, Yale

Tony Servin - Sierra Linda (OG): Mayville State

Brayten Silbor - Chaparral (QB): Northern Arizona, Pennsylvania

Alfred Smith - Chandler (CB): Navy, Western New Mexico

Gavin Smith - Notre Dame (WR): Arizona State

Jax Stam - Liberty (FS): Army, Georgetown, New Mexico, Pennsylvania

Grayson Stovall - Hamilton (OG): ARIZONA, Arizona State, Charlotte, Colorado State, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan State, Oregon State, Utah

Zac Swanson - Brophy (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, California, Colorado, Florida State, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Texas, UCLA, USC, Utah

Trevor Swan - Perry (OG): Arizona State

Malaki Ta'ase - Mesa Mountain View (DE): Southern Utah

Chris Thomas Jr. - Cactus (WR): Morgan State

Elijah Warner - Brophy (QB): Eastern Kentucky, Marshall, Presbyterian, Tennessee-Martin

Kolten Warner - O'Connor (SS): Central (Iowa), St. Norbert

Tucker Wilburn - Marcos de Niza (DE): Arizona State

UPDATED: 3/22/21

Over the past few years, the Saguaro Sabercats have sent star players on to college in the SEC (Georgia), Big Ten (Ohio State), Big Twelve (Oklahoma State), along with a handful to the Pac-12 Conference (Arizona State, USC, UCLA, Washington, Oregon). One of the local schools has been missing from this list, but its new coaching staff said it was going to prioritize in-state recruiting.

Chalk one up for head coach Jedd Fisch and the Arizona Wildcats, who gained a verbal commitment from Saguaro defensive end Tristan Monday fittingly, on Monday. The 6-4, 240-pounder announced on social media that he is staying in his home state.

"I believe in what Coach Brown is bringing for me on the field," Monday said in a text message. "As well as my whole family being U of A fans."

That would newly hired defensive coordinator Don Brown. He comes from Michigan, where he guided the Wolverines to a top 12 ranking in defense in four of his five seasons there. Brown has 45 years of experience and is known for his aggressive attacks earning him the nickname Dr. Blitz.

Getting to the quarterback is something Monday has done a lot of the last two years for the Sabercats. He has tallied 15.5 sacks in that time leading SHS in the category each season and helped the team to back-to-back Open Division tournaments.

Arizona is set to begin spring practice on Tuesday and will go at it on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays for five straight weeks. That will lead up to a Spring Game on April 24 at noon. The event will be televised on the Pac-12 Network and feature guest alumni Tedy Bruschi and Rob Gronkowski as coaches. It will be at Arizona Stadium in Tucson and the UA athletic department is hopeful that a limited number of fans will be able to attend for no charge. Arizona (0-5 in 2020) will kick off its 2021 season on Sept. 4 in Las Vegas against BYU (11-1 in 2020).

ARIZONA WILDCATS

Tristan Monday (DE) - Saguaro
Grayson Stovall (OG) - Hamilton

FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

Nicco Marchiol (QB) - Hamilton

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Gavin Broscious (OG) - Desert Edge

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

Kyion Grayes (WR) - Chandler

USC TROJANS

Devin Brown (QB) - Queen Creek

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS

Adryan Lara (QB) - Desert Edge