UPDATED: 5/9/21

Colleges across the nation continue to take notice of the prep talent in Arizona each season. A total of 350 players from the Class of 2021 have signed with schools to advance their football careers, and receive an education.

Colorado State pulled three recruits out of Arizona in this past class with two of them coming from Hamilton. On Sunday, the Rams looked down the road on Arizona Avenue and made an offer to Chandler defensive tackle Jacob Holmes. The 6-3, 285-pound lineman played at Cesar Chavez last season, where he had 23 tackles and four sacks in just three games. The offer from the Rams is his 10th overall, and fifth from the Mountain West Conference. Colorado State recently announced an extension of its in-state game with Colorado. The games will take place in back-to-back years with two-year breaks in between. Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins will play host in 2024, 2029, 2034, and 2038. While the Buffaloes don't appear on this year's schedule, CSU (1-3 in an abbreviated 2020 season) will play a pair of Power Five teams. Vanderbilt visits Colorado State on Sept. 11 and the Rams travel to Iowa on Sept. 25.

Holmes added an offer on Wednesday from West Virginia. The Mountaineers got their 15 practices of spring football in during March and April. WVU went 6-4 last season and defeated Army in the Liberty Bowl. The defense limited Army, one of the top rushing teams in the nation, to 182 yards on 59 attempts. West Virginia starts its 2021 slate on the road at Maryland on Sept. 4.

Another Cesar Chavez player that has transferred out is Tavian Dennis. The 5-11, 190-pound safety is now at Desert Vista and he received his first offer on Tuesday from San Diego State. Dennis played on the varsity for the Champions in his sophomore year (2019) and had 58 tackles. In addition to being a hard hitter, he played wide receiver on offense. With Chavez only getting three games in last fall, Dennis did not play in his junior year. San Diego State will be playing in a new stadium in the 2022 season. In the interim (this fall), the Aztecs will play their home games at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The season for SDSU starts there against New Mexico State on Sept. 4. That will be followed by back-to-back Pac-12 games at Arizona and home against Utah. San Diego State finished 4-4 last year.

Keeping it in the Mountain West, Air Force has offered a scholarship to Casteel center Rudy Varela. The Colts won their final two games last season to reach the eight-team playoff bracket in the 6A. This is the second military offer for the 6-4, 285-pound lineman. Varela has a 4.2 weighted GPA and offers from Air Force and Navy, plus last weekend he was a virtual guest for spring practice at Army. Air Force had three linemen sign with NFL teams last weekend as undrafted free agents. Nolan Laufenberg (OT) signed with Denver, Parker Ferguson (OG) signed with the New York Jets, and George Silvanic (DT) signed with the Los Angeles Rams. The Falcons finished the COVID-19 shortened season with a 3-3 record. No team in Division I topped the 305.7-yard rushing average per game by AFA. It was the fourth straight year that Air Force led the conference in the category.

One of Varela's teammates, Shakaun Bowser, also collected an offer from the Mountain West and it came from New Mexico on Thursday. The 6-4, 225-pound outside linebacker/defensive end was a First Team All-6A Fiesta Region selection as a defensive lineman last season. Bowser had 77 tackles in nine games last season and led the Colts with 11 sacks. He also recovered three fumbles as Casteel reached the postseason in its first year in 6A. New Mexico brought back its Night of Champions this week. It was a time for 21 Lobos attempt max lifts in front of 400 spectators. It was moved from the weight room to the stadium due to COVID-19. UNM won its last two games in 2020 to finish 2-5. The Lobos open at home against Houston Baptist on Thursday, Sept. 2.

Iowa State became the 11th team to offer a scholarship to Hamilton defensive end Russell Davis II on Tuesday. He checks in at 6-4, 215 pounds, and is an outstanding pass rusher. With his 61 tackles and 13.5 sacks, Davis was selected to the First Team All-6A Conference Team. He is working on his athleticism heading into his senior year and recently did a 50-inch box jump from a dead stance. The Huskies started Spring Ball on Monday and will go through May 20. Iowa State just completed the winningest class in its history as the Cyclones compiled a 32-19 record and appeared in four bowl games. Last week, the players received their Fiesta Bowl rings from their 34-17 victory over Oregon last January. ISU finished 9-3 last season and will kick off the '21 schedule at home against Northern Iowa on Sept. 4.

It was a big week for Alfred Smith as he earned offers from Army, Southwest Minnesota State, and Benedictine College. The offers more than doubled his total, which now stands at five. Smith (5-10, 160), a cornerback at Chandler, was a Second Team All-6A Premier Region player in 2020. Last year, he had 34 tackles as the Wolves won their fifth consecutive state championship. Smith also carries a 3.5 GPA. Army held its annual Spring Game last Friday featuring the Black vs. Gold teams. Due to the campus being closed (COVID-19 protocols), there was no outside attendance. Last year, the Black Knights won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy defeating both Air Force (10-7) and Navy (15-0). Army finished 9-3 and played in the Liberty Bowl. There were unique challenges for Southwest Minnesota State, which didn't get to play a season in the 2020-21 school year. The Mustangs did bring in a very large (72 member) recruiting class last February. That included a pair of players from Arizona. In the 2019 season, SMSU went 3-8 with all of them Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (Div. II) games. Benedictine, located in Kansas, finished its season at 8-2 and a second place finish in the Heart of America South Division (NAIA). It was a long season that started in September and ended in April.

North Dakota signed Notre Dame Prep wide receiver Damien Owens from the Class of 2021 last December. On Friday, the Fighting Hawks pursued the NDP program again and made an offer to Gavin Smith. It's his third Division I offer. The 5-11, 180-pound athlete led the Saints in receptions (45), yards (591) and touchdown catches (7) last season as NDP went 5-3 and made the 5A semifinals. In his two years on varsity, Smith has scored TDs as both a punt returner and kick returner. North Dakota made the FCS quarterfinals for the first time this spring. The Fighting Hawks won their first four games and finished the year at 5-2. UND plays in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and will line up once again, just over four months from its last game, on Sept. 4 at Idaho State. Smith tacked on an offer from Idaho as well.

Saguaro quarterback Ridge Docekal picked up three offers this week. The 6-3, 210-pound signal caller gained them from FCS schools Fordham, Furman, and Idaho. In a season shortened to six games due to COVID-19, Docekal completed 61 percent of his passes for 916 yards and threw seven touchdowns. The Sabercats run the spread and Docekal gets the ball to his athletic playmakers in space. This offseason, he's been working on his speed workouts. Fordham has had a team for 126 years and played games at a lot of places, but this September, the Rams will take their first trip to Lincoln to face Nebraska. It will be Fordham's first matchup with a Big Ten school since 1941. The Rams went 2-1 in a brief spring schedule. Furman will also kick off its season with a first-ever meeting as the Paladins open at home in South Carolina against North Carolina A&T on Sept. 4. Furman (3-4 in this spring season) will also take on a Power Five school when it travels to Raleigh to play North Carolina State on Sept. 18. Idaho is planning to host games in the Kibbie Dome at full capacity this fall. The Vandals begin at home on Sept. 4 against Simon Fraser (B.C.). That will be followed by two road games against Power Five teams (Indiana and Oregon State). Northern Arizona visits Moscow on Oct. 30 in Big Sky Conference play. Idaho went 2-4 during play this spring.

Aside from Smith and Docekal, three other Valley juniors obtained offers from Idaho this week. Valentin Gbafore, Malaki Ta'ase, and Amari Gilmore got them from the Vandals. Gbafore is a 5-11, 175-pound wide receiver/running back at Independence. He led the Patriots in rushing with 344 yards and a pair of touchdowns while also catching 20 passes for 288 yards and four TDs. This is his first college offer. Ta'ase is a 6-2, 240-pound defensive end at Mesa Mountain View. He had 61 tackles for the Toros with 13 of them being quarterback sacks during a breakout junior year. Ta'ase was named to the First Team All-6A Conference as a defensive lineman. Gilmore is a 5-11, 175-pound safety at Poston Butte. He led the Broncos with 75 tackles and intercepted four passes. He was a First Team All-4A Black Canyon Region choice at defensive back.

Mountain Ridge offensive guard Alexis Sanchez returns his 6-3, 305-pound frame to what will be a formidable Mountain Lions line in 2021. On Friday, he got his first offer from Morehead State. Sanchez was recently named one of the top Arizona performers from the National Preps Showcase in Las Vegas last month by Prep Redzone. He also totes a 3.6 GPA. Predicted to finish last in the Pioneer Football League (FCS), Morehead State exceeded expectations and went 4-3 overall (4-2 in league play) this spring. It was the Eagles' first winning record since 2015 and first perfect home mark (3-0) since 1949. MSU is located in northeastern Kentucky.

Here's the rest of the offers since last Sunday (5/2):

Heritage Academy Mesa tight end Cooper Ross received his first offers from New Mexico Highlands and Southwest Minnesota State.
O'Connor linebacker Brandon Craddock received an offer from Southwest Minnesota State.
Cactus safety Joseph Lagafuaina received his first offer from Southwest Minnesota State.
Shadow Ridge wide receiver Isaac Yates received his first offer from Southwest Minnesota State.
Centennial running back James Scott received his first offer from Southwest Minnesota State.
Liberty safety Jax Stam received an offer from Southwest Minnesota State.
Arizona College Prep offensive tackle Keaton Messerole received an offer from Wisconsin-River Falls.
Sunnyslope running back Xander Georgoulis received his first offer from Wisconsin-River Falls.
Florence wide receiver Isaac Sandoval received his first offer from Wisconsin-River Falls.
Chandler safety Franky Morales received his first offer from Benedictine College (Kans.).

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

Milo Apodaca - Greenway (LB): Wisconsin-River Falls

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, New Mexico, 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, 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

Augustin Chiang - Coolidge (CB): 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, Marist, Morgan State, Southwest Minnesota State

Miles Crutchley - Saguaro (LB): Army

Kolton Cunningham - Perry (LB): Wisconsin-River Falls

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

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

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

Tavian Dennis - Desert Vista (SS): San Diego State

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

Amar Elmore - Chandler (DE): Dartmouth

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

Ryan Finch - Mountain Ridge (QB): Arizona Christian

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

Duke Frye - Notre Dame (DT/OG): Wisconsin-River Falls

Valentin Gbafore - Independence (WR): Idaho

Xander Georgoulis - Sunnyslope (RB): Wisconsin-River Falls

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

Jeremiah Gossett - Peoria (CB): Benedictine Coll. (Kans.)

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

Hayden Hallett - Pusch Ridge (QB): Wisconsin-River Falls

Zach Hammett - River Valley (RB): Wisconsin-River Falls

Kaden Hicks - Mountain Ridge (OG): Lake Forest

Andrew Hinojos - Campo Verde (OT): St. Norbert, Wisconsin-River Falls

Blaine Hipa - Chandler (QB): Hawaii, Tennessee

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

Lance Holtzclaw - Desert Ridge (DE/WR): Air Force, Arizona, Boise State, Boston College, Colorado, 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, Colorado State, Idaho, Utah State

Brody Kallman - Cienega (DE): Culver-Stockton

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

Joseph Lagafuaina - Cactus (FS): Southwest Minnesota State

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, LSU, Miami (Fla.), 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, West Virginia

Ivan Martin - Saguaro (CB): Army, Navy

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

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

Jeryl McIntosh - Desert Edge (RB): Morgan State

Jonathan Melgar - Apollo (DT): Wisconsin-River Falls

Keaton Messerole - Arizona College Prep (OT): St. Norbert, Wisconsin-River Falls

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

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

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

Franky Morales - Chandler (FS): Benedictine Coll. (Kans.)

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

Jack Plote - Mountain Pointe (OT): Wisconsin-River Falls

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

Terryon Rowe - Mountain Pointe (WR): Arizona Christian

Cooper Ross - Heritage Academy Mesa (TE): New Mexico Highlands, Southwest Minnesota State

Alexis Sanchez - Mountain Ridge (OG): Morehead State

Isaac Sandoval - Florence (WR): Wisconsin-River Falls

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

James Scott - Centennial (RB): Southwest Minnesota State

Tony Servin - Sierra Linda (OG): Mayville State

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

Alfred Smith - Chandler (CB): Army, Benedictine Coll. (Kans.), Navy, Southwest Minnesota State, Western New Mexico

Gavin Smith - Notre Dame (WR): Arizona State, Idaho, North Dakota

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

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): Idaho, Southern Utah

Myllen Terameau - Saguaro (CB): Northern Arizona

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

Rudy Varela - Casteel (C): Air Force, Navy

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

Isaac Yates - Shadow Ridge (WR): Southwest Minnesota State

UPDATED: 4/26/21

Monday marked the unofficial start to the senior season of Zac Swanson as the Brophy Broncos began spring ball. Following that first practice, the defensive end made a major post-high school decision.

Swanson, a 6-4, 250-pound lineman, announced his verbal commitment to Texas. The Longhorns were joined in his 'Final Four' with USC, Oregon, and Kentucky.

Jordan Hamm of Sports360AZ interviewed Swanson and went in-depth on his commitment to UT.

Texas has been successful at reeling in some of Arizona's top prospects in recent years with Bijan Robinson (Salpointe), Jake Smith (Notre Dame), and Brayden Liebrock (Chandler). The new coaching staff led by Steve Sarkisian maintained contact with Swanson and the Bronco recruit attended the Longhorns' Spring Game in Austin last weekend.

Swanson has the versatility to play inside or outside on the D-Line at Texas. He is an end for the Broncos, but has the power to play the tackle position. His father, Pete, played at Stanford and also with the St. Louis Rams. In two seasons at BCP, Swanson has 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

In the Texas Spring Game, Robinson led the Orange squad with 81 all-purpose yards and rushed for a touchdown in the game's opening possession. However, the White team came out on top, 20-12. The game marked the end of spring practice. The Longhorns will next focus on summer workouts before the start of the '21 season on Sept. 4 against Louisiana at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. UT finished 7-3 and defeated Colorado in the Alamo Bowl last season.

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

TEXAS LONGHORNS

Zac Swanson (DE) - Brophy

USC TROJANS

Devin Brown (QB) - Queen Creek

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS

Adryan Lara (QB) - Desert Edge