UPDATED: 4/2/23

Colleges across the nation continue to take notice of the prep talent in Arizona each season. A total of 330 players from the Class of 2023 have signed with schools to advance their football careers, and receive an education.

We are currently in a Quiet Period. During this time, college coaches can only have face-to-face contact with a recruit on their college campus. Coaches are not allowed to visit the players' high schools. This continues through April 14. From April 15 to May 31, we will be in the spring Evaluation Period. Many college coaches will visit during this time. It includes the weeks of spring practices and also showcases, which are practices with multiple schools at one location (but not squaring off in drills against one another).

Army offered a pair of players in the state on Monday. Michael Watkins and Jonathon Williams gained them from the Black Knights. Watkins, 6-3 and 290 pounds, plays offensive guard at Apollo. He blocked for a powerful Hawks' run game (202 yards/game) led by RB Adam Mohammed. Watkins was a First Team All-5A Northwest Valley selection and laid out more than 40 pancakes. Williams, 6-foot and 225 pounds, plays linebacker and running back at Mohave. On defense, he led the Thunderbirds in tackles with 79, including 14 for a loss, and returned a fumble for a touchdown. On the offensive side, Williams added 507 yards and scored 10 TDs. Over the weekend, he was in Tempe, visiting Arizona State. Army hired a new linebackers coach this month as Justin Weaver was named to the position by head coach Jeff Monken. Weaver was previously the head coach for the Military Academy Prep School, where he led Army Prep to wins over Navy Prep and Air Force Prep. The Black Knights finished 6-6 last year and will open this season at Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 2. The annual Army-Navy game will end the campaign on Dec. 9 and will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

Watkins added another offer on Tuesday from Utah State. The Aggies began spring practice last week in its indoor training complex. USU returns 10 starters from last year's 6-7 team that played in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas. The allotted 15 practices are being spread out over five weeks and finish with the annual Blue vs. White Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 22. Utah State, which plays in the Mountain West Conference, opens on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Iowa.

Washington State had three players with over 475 receiving yards last season. The Cougars looked towards that phase of the game as they offered Chaparral wide receiver Plas Johnson on Monday. The 6-1, 165-pound player led the Firebirds in all receiving categories with 88 catches, 1,157 yards, and eight touchdowns last season. Johnson is also a sprinter on the track and has clocked 11.15 in the 100-meters and 22.34 in the 200. The offer from WSU is his eighth overall and third from the Pac-12 Conference. Washington State is in its second week of spring practices in preparation for its Crimson and Gray Game. The intrasquad event is set for Saturday, April 22 and will be televised by the Pac-12 Network at 3 p.m. Head Coach Jake Dickert has guided the Cougars to bowl games in each of the past two seasons. Last year's team finished 7-6 and played in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.

Chandler has several juniors with offers and one of them is Ca'lil Valentine. The 6-foot, 175-pound running back has now received offers from all five Power 5 conferences as Auburn came through from the SEC. Valentine missed a couple games, but still finished with 1,347 yards and scored 22 touchdowns (four receiving) for the Wolves. Among the reviews from the Arizona Varsity staff were phrases like "explosive speed", "shifts gears quick", and "stellar footwork". Auburn's annual spring football game, A-Day, will take place on Saturday, April 8. The Tigers, who were 5-7 last season, will play on the West Coast in Week 2 on Sept. 9 in Berkeley against Cal.

Sunnyslope quarterback Luke Moga is seeing his offer count rise again. The 6-2, 205-pound signal caller is now up to 25 offers with three of those from the Big Ten after obtaining one from Michigan State on Friday. In his first year as a starter, Moga passed for 2,258 yards and 26 touchdowns. A dual-threat, he also ran for 539 yards (8.7 yards/carry) and five TDs. Last weekend, Moga was in Miami (Fla.) for an unofficial visit. A rare quarterback that sprints, he was timed at 10.59 in a meet last week. Michigan State will wrap up its spring practices with the Spartan Football Kickoff event on Saturday, April 15. The Spartans concluded last season with a 5-7 record.

Gregory Bienvenue, a 6-4, 280-pound rising junior at Desert Ridge, received an offer on Tuesday to play for Boston College. He is an offensive tackle and a multi-sport athlete that also played basketball for the Jaguars this season. This is Bienvenue's third offer, all of which are from Power Five schools. He is coming off a First Team All-6A Central Region season as he looks towards his senior year. Boston College is practicing in preparation for its Jay McGillis Spring Game on April 15. The Eagles play in the ACC and closed out last season with a record of 3-9.

Last week, Brophy defensive end Devan Kennedy went on a Northeast trip to look at colleges. He visited Fordham (N.Y.) and Connecticut. On Sunday, Kennedy collected his first offer from Fordham. The 6-3, 240-pound defensive end recovered a fumble against St. Mary's last season and returned an interception 72 yards against Red Mountain. Kennedy's next recruiting trip is to Bozeman for Montana State's Junior Day this weekend. Fordham is gearing up for its annual Spring Game slated for Saturday, April 22. There will be a lot to replace on offense as the Rams lost eight starters from last year's 9-3 team that made the FCS Playoffs. Fordham is a member of the Patriot League and the school is located in New York City (Bronx).

Here's the rest of the offers since last Monday (3/27):

Centennial cornerback Kenny Worthy III received offers from Army and Boise State.
Higley safety Donovan Aidoo received an offer from Army.
Apollo offensive tackle Matthew Lado received an offer from Utah State.
Canyon View wide receiver Santino Varvel received an offer from Bowling Green (Ohio).
Horizon punter/kicker Kanyon Floyd received an offer from Navy.
Notre Dame quarterback Noah Trigueros received an offer from Fordham.
Boulder Creek tight end Peyton Buschlen received his first offer from Puget Sound (Wash.).

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 this December. Those will be 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 2024 OFFERS

Donovan Aidoo - Higley (S): Arizona, Arizona State, Army, Columbia, Iowa State, Marshall, Nevada, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah State, Washington State

Kaden Anderson - Chandler (TE): Air Force, Brown, Bucknell, Dartmouth, Fordham, Georgetown, Northern Arizona, Pennsylvania, Yale

Mason Arhin - Basha (WR): Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona

Garrison Ast - Paradise Honors (WR): Grinnell

Brady Bakke - Centennial (OT): Northern Arizona, Weber State

Jackson Barton - O'Connor (CB): Nevada, Northern Arizona, UNLV

Legend Bernard - Hamilton (WR): Air Force, Arizona, Colorado State, Fordham, Massachusetts, Northern Arizona

Gregory Bienvenue - Desert Ridge (OT): Arizona State, Boston College, Oregon State

Jordan Blake - Skyline (RB): Arizona Christian

Jack Bleier - Basha (LB): Campbell

Jaxon Branch - Chandler (WR): Arizona, Arizona State

Peyton Buschlen - Boulder Creek (TE): Puget Sound

Jake Busot - Arizona College Prep (WR): Grinnell, Puget Sound

Noah Carter - Centennial (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado State, Idaho State, Iowa State, Louisville, Nevada, Oregon State, Texas

Christian Clark - Mountain Pointe (RB): Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida State, Georgia, Iowa, Liberty, Marshall, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin

Joseph Clark IV - Saguaro (LB): Arizona, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, UNLV

Niko Clark - Chandler (CB): Washington

James Cobb - Desert Mountain (OT): Butler

Jaylen Dawson - Desert Edge (LB): Air Force, Army, Northern Arizona, UNLV

Bryson Dedmon - Basha (WR): Arizona, Central Michigan, Kansas, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona

Kezion Dia-Johnson - Desert Edge (WR): Arizona, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, UNLV, Washington State

Jaci Dickerson - Saguaro (WR): Arizona, Arizona State, Northern Arizona, Oregon

Nijrell Eason II - Higley (CB): Arizona, Colorado State, Idaho State, Iowa State, Louisville, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Purdue, San Diego State, UNLV

Billy Eastep - Brophy (CB): Idaho State, Washington State

Kennedy Ellsworth - Mica Mountain (C): Arizona Christian

Jackson Finefrock - Hamilton (FS): Houston Christian

Kanyon Floyd - Horizon (P/K): Air Force, Army, Navy

Jack Franklin - Pinnacle (DE): Air Force

Jack Freeburg - Desert Mountain (WR): Fordham, Georgetown, Northern Arizona

Aundre Gibson - Desert Edge (CB): Arizona, Arizona State, Idaho State, Iowa State, KANSAS, Nebraska, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Washington, Washington State

Cayden Gibson - Arizona College Prep (DE): Arizona Christian, Grinnell, Montana Tech, Puget Sound

Gerayas Grimes - Casteel (FS): Northern Arizona

Jacob Harkins - Sunnyslope (OT): Northern Arizona

Lenoxx Hicks - Sierra Linda (DE): Morgan State

Dillon Hipp - Desert Mountain (TE): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northern Iowa, Oregon, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, South Florida, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin

Jordan Howard - Basha (DE): Central Michigan

Plas Johnson - Chaparral (WR): Arizona, Colorado State, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, UNLV, Utah State, Washington, Washington State

Jaxson Jones - Yuma Catholic (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, California, Colorado State, Fresno State, Michigan, Northern Arizona, Notre Dame, OREGON, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, USC, Utah, Washington

Jaylen Jones - Hamilton (FS): Campbell, Louisville

Jonathan Kamara - Desert Edge (CB): Air Force, Army, Kansas, Kansas State, UNLV, Utah State

Devan Kennedy - Brophy (DE): Fordham

Jacob Kreuziger - Deer Valley (LB): Grinnell

Matthew Lado - Apollo (OT): Arizona, Colorado State, Montana State, Utah State

Nate LaDuke - ALA-Queen Creek (FS): Arizona State

Carter Lavrusky - Horizon (OT): Arizona, Colorado State

Omar Lazcano - Saguaro (FS): Northern Arizona

Dylan Lee - Williams Field (RB): Arizona State, Northern Arizona, UNLV

Miles Lockhart - Basha (CB): Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Central Michigan, Colorado, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisvlle, Nevada, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin

Chansyn Mapa - Higley (CB): Idaho State

Trey Markham - Brophy (DE): Idaho State

Jaedon Matthews - Saguaro (RB): Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Northern Arizona, Oregon, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Washington State, Wisconsin

Javery Mayberry - Basha (TE): Central Michigan, Connecticut, Marshall, Northern Arizona

Brady McDonough - Desert Mountain (QB): Arizona, Army, Navy

Markhi McKinnon - Desert Edge (RB): Air Force, Idaho, Montana, Northern Arizona, UNLV

Luke Moga - Sunnyslope (QB): Arizona, Arizona State, Boston College, BYU, California, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Kansas, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Nevada, North Carolina State, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Purdue, Syracuse, TCU, UCF, UNLV, Utah, Utah State, Virginia

Adam Mohammed - Apollo (RB): Boston College, Colorado State, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Utah State

Trey Morrison - Saguaro (LB): Northern Arizona

Zayden Neill - San Tan Charter (QB): Southeast Missouri State, UNLV

Jeremiah Newcombe - Casteel (CB): Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, California, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Notre Dame, OKLAHOMA, Oregon State, Purdue, San Diego State, Stanford, USC, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin

Eyitayo Omotinugbon - Queen Creek (OT): Northern Arizona

Randle Parker - Mountain Pointe (RB): Idaho, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona

Brandon Phelps - ALA-Gilbert North (WR): ARIZONA, Arizona State, Colorado State, Michigan State, Northern Arizona

Zues Pindernation - Millennium (RB): Arizona

Tommy Prassas - Basha (FS): Central Michigan, New Mexico State

Kendre Pride - Carl Hayden (RB): Morgan State

Reese Quiroz - Eastmark (OG): Albany

Dylan Raiola - Pinnacle (QB): Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, Florida State, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa State, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, San Diego State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State, West Virginia

Prince Roberson - Cesar Chavez (WR): Arizona Christian

Nikolas Rodriguez - Brophy (WR): Arizona Christian, Puget Sound

Mardale Rowe - Brophy (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Marshall, Nevada, Oregon, San Diego State, San Jose State, Tennessee State, Utah State, Washington State

Elijah Rushing - Salpointe (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, California, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Jackson State, Kentucky, Louisville, Massachusetts, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah, Utah State, Washington, Wisconsin

Alex Salome - Brophy (LB): Bethany Coll. (Kans.)

Keegan Shank - Chaparral (DE): Colorado State, Nevada, Utah State

Xavier Sharp - Basha (DE): Anderson

Justice Spann - Chandler (WR): Arizona

Jakobi Spence - Saguaro (CB): Nevada, Northern Arizona, UNLV, Washington

Jamison Stamps - Basha (CB): Adams State

Amare Taase - Saguaro (OT): Eastern Michigan, Northern Arizona, UNLV, Utah State

Dylan Tapley - Desert Mountain (WR): Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nevada, New Mexico State, Oregon

Keyvon Thomas - Corona del Sol (CB): Colorado State, Nevada, Utah State

Noah Trigueros - Notre Dame (QB): Columbia, Dartmouth, Fordham, Pennsylvania, Yale

Kennedy Urlacher - Chandler (FS): Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado State, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pennsylvania, Stanford, TCU, UNLV, Washington, Wisconsin

Ca'lil Valentine - Chandler (RB): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boise State, Boston College, Central Florida, Colorado State, Kansas State, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Nebraska, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, UNLV, Utah, Washington, Washington State

Santino Varvel - Canyon View (WR): Air Force, Army, Bowling Green, Navy

Donovan Vozza - Morenci (DE): Arizona Christian

Deshawn Warner - Desert Edge (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Idaho State, Iowa State, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, UNLV, Washington State

Michael Watkins - Apollo (OG): Arizona, Army, Colorado State, Montana State, Utah State, Weber State

Keona Wilhite - Salpointe (DE): Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado

Demond Williams Jr. - Basha (QB): Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, BYU, California, Central Michigan, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Iowa State, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan State, MISSISSIPPI, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Purdue, TCU, UCLA, UNLV, Utah, Virginia Tech, Washington, West Virginia

Jonathon Williams - Mohave (RB/LB): Air Force, Army, Northern Arizona, UNLV

Santana Wilson - Desert Mountain (CB): Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, California, Connecticut, Idaho State, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami (Fla.), Nevada, North Carolina State, Northern Iowa, Oregon, UNLV, Washington

Ryan Wolfer - Liberty (OT): Colorado State, Idaho, Northern Arizona

Sa'Kylee Woodard - Canyon del Oro (OT): Arizona, Army

Kenny Worthy III - Centennial (CB): Arizona State, Army, Boise State, Boston College, Colorado State, Iowa State, Nevada, Utah State

UPDATED: 3/25/23

We already have five juniors that have announced their verbal commitments. All are to Power Five schools with two on offense, two on defense, and one that plays on both sides of the ball.

Basha quarterback Demond Williams Jr. became the first signal caller from the state to commit when he pledged to the University of Mississippi in December. He is 5-11, 160 pounds, and a dual-threat that can beat you with his arm (2,339 yards and 23 TD passes last season) or his legs (764 rush yards & 5 TDs). Williams Jr. led the Bears to their first state championship and it was the big one - the Open Division. He was the starter for BHS since Game 1 of his freshman year and his record is 28-5. Among the schools he chose Ole Miss over were Oregon, TCU, UCLA, and Utah. The Rebels finished Week 1 of spring practice on Saturday morning. That will wrap up on Saturday, April 15 with the annual Grove Bowl, an intrasquad scrimmage. Ole Miss made a bowl game for the third straight year in 2022 (Texas Bowl) and went 8-5 with a 4-4 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

ALA-Gilbert North receiver Brandon Phelps will head south as he became the first commit for Arizona's 2024 recruiting class. The 6-3, 190-pound pass catcher made his announcement to play for the Wildcats last December. Phelps set a new state record with 28 touchdown catches as the Eagles went 12-2 and won the 4A Conference championship. He led the team with 97 catches for 1,710 yards. Phelps has played on varsity all three years at ALAGN and has 3,302 career yards and 44 touchdowns. Arizona had its fifth day of spring camp on Thursday. The Wildcats will hold their Red and Blue Spring Football game Saturday, April 15 at 3:30 p.m. It will be televised on the Pac-12 Network. Arizona improved by four games last season to finish at 5-7, including its first Territorial Cup with over Arizona State since 2016.

Following a weekend visit in January, Jaxson Jones announced his commitment to Oregon. The 6-3, 215-pound edge rusher at Yuma Catholic had a breakthrough season on a Shamrock team that most people associate with offense. Jones recorded 17 sacks and 22 TFL among his 96 tackles. A one-time Washington commit, he selected the Ducks over offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, and Utah. Jones was the first defensive player to commit to Oregon for this class. Oregon has had two practices so far this spring and is in the midst of a two-week break for winter quarter final exams and spring break. Practice will resume after the spring quarter begins. The team's Spring Game will be on Saturday, April 29 and will be televised on the Pac-12 Network at 1 p.m. Oregon was 10-3 last season and won the Holiday Bowl in dramatic fashion over North Carolina, 28-27. The Ducks took their first, and only, lead with 19 seconds remaining.

Aundre Gibson made it known earlier this month that he will be going to Kansas. The 5-11, 180-pound cornerback plays for Desert Edge and had just visited the campus in Lawrence the week prior. Gibson picked the Jayhawks over eight other Power Five offers. In addition to being a lockdown corner, he is a feared kick returner who averaged 36 yards on kickoffs and 21.7 on punts. Gibson is on the track team and part of a 4x100 squad that recently posted a time of 42.7 seconds with four football players. Kansas is getting set to begin its 134th season of football. The Jayhawks will kick it off on Thursday, Aug. 31 at home against Missouri State. Before that, the team will have its annual Spring Showcase on Friday, April 7. Last season, KU improved from 2-10 to a 6-7 season and berth in the Liberty Bowl. Kansas battled hard, but lost to Arkansas in an epic triple-overtime game, 55-53.

The most recent commitment just happened on Saturday as Jeremiah Newcombe pledged to Oklahoma. The 5-11, 175-pound cornerback, who also plays receiver, from Casteel is the Sooners' first commit for the '24 class. He took an unofficial visit to Norman earlier this week. Newcombe selected OU over more than 20 offers, including BYU, Nebraska, and Notre Dame. Last season, he had 62 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Oklahoma is recruiting him on the defensive side of the ball. Newcombe was also a part of the Colts' offense, which finished the regular season at 7-3 and were the top seed in the 6A playoffs. He caught 35 passes for 516 yards and scored five touchdowns. Oklahoma will hold its Spring Game on April 22. Part of the festivities include the unveiling of a statue of Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray (who will be on hand). The Sooners finished 6-7 last season and played in the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando.

ARIZONA WILDCATS

Brandon Phelps (WR) - ALA-Gilbert North

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Aundre Gibson (CB) - Desert Edge

MISSISSIPPI REBELS

Demond Williams Jr. (QB) - Basha

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Jeremiah Newcombe (CB) - Casteel

OREGON DUCKS

Jaxson Jones (DE) - Yuma Catholic