Ben Bray announced his commitment to Arizona State on Tuesday night, capping off what has been a whirlwind month of recruitment for the 2020 Red Mountain OL. I was able to chat with Bray about his decision before he publicly announced, and here's what he had to say:

Arizona Varsity: The pace of your recruitment from late April until now is one of the most active I've ever seen for a junior. What made the dominoes start falling the way they did?

Ben Bray: "It has been a crazy ride! Part of it was the showcase had good exposure. Another part is the good grades. Having the grades is ideal for recruiting!"

AZV: I know you have family connections to ASU, but what is it about the school and coaches that stood out outside of those connections?

BB: All the coaches I have connections with have been great in building a relationship and have been honest in nature. After touring the school unofficially, the campus was nice and the overall facilities and academic buildings are built to bring success.

AZV: Who are some of the people that have helped push you to this point, and how have they helped?

BB: My head coach, Mike Peterson, and Coach Lawson have been major in my recruitment, as well as teaching me how to navigate the social media. My offensive line coach, Doug Detrick has shaped me into the player I desire to be, and I thank him for that. My family and parents have been super-supportive, from feeding me, to raising me to love the Lord and people. All of these people have been amazing.

AZV: What do expect of yourself and your OL unit this upcoming season at Red Mountain?

BB: As an Offensive Line for Red Mountain, our expectation is to strive to be good, and be nasty up front. Can't wait for a killer season.

AZV: I noticed you mention your faith in your posts. How has that helped shape who you are on and off the field?

BB: The Lord has blessed me abundantly. I love the Creator and I know he has a plan for me to do His work, from high school relationships to ASU football. The hope of having Him on my side has gotten me through some tough times, and I'll praise Him forever. Life is more than football, and the Lord reminds me daily of His blessing of football- it's not for personal glory, but to be a light for Him. That's my hope everyday. God is good!

It's common for offensive linemen with solid film, a high GPA, or a promising frame to see a rapid acceleration in their recruitment during the spring evaluation period of their junior season. Ben Bray, at 6-5, 270 pounds with a 4.7 GPA, checks multiple boxes. Two weeks after receiving his first FBS offer from Utah State, Bray had an opportunity to showcase his skills at an open practice at Red Mountain High, and it led to four offers in one afternoon. In addition to getting an offer from ASU OL Coach Dave Christensen at the open practice, Bray added UC Davis, Oregon State, and New Mexico State. In the two weeks following the four-offer day, Bray tacked on University of Arizona, San Diego State, Air Force and California, as well as Ivy League offers from Harvard, Yale and Colgate.

Bray described the emotion of his first two Pac-12 offers to Jared Halus of BeaversEdge.com: “When I told my parents I got offered from Oregon State, they were super happy,” said Bray. “After I told them that, I told them I got offered by Arizona State, and my mom bursted into tears.”

When Bray spoke with Devils Digest earlier this month, he indicated that he prefers to play on the outside of the offensive line: “I’d like to play tackle at the next level, but if I have to play another position then I’m willing to learn. I’m a quick puller, I have quick feet and I know the game pretty well. If I have to play another position I will get the hang of it. I know I have to work on my pass protection against inside rushers. That’s what I have been working on all off-season, and also perfecting my zone blocking steps”

Arizona State is in desperate need of capable blockers, and is probably the premier spot in the Pac-12 for offensive linemen seeking to make an impact as underclassmen. Heading into the 2019 season, the Sun Devils have six seniors on the offensive line, and no juniors. Bray is the first offensive lineman to commit to ASU's 2020 class, and depending on how the rest of the recruiting crop shakes out, he could end up being one of the most important- especially if he projects as a tackle.

Bray is also the first local commitment to ASU in what is likely the deepest in-state recruiting class of all time. We'll see if Bray can guide some of his fellow 2020 prospects towards the maroon and gold.

For an evaluation of Ben Bray's film, I went to former Arizona State OL Marshal Nathe, and here's what he had to say:

"Ben Bray is what I like to call 'controlled-aggressive,' and I love that. He finishes his guy at the right moment, and does it without putting his posture or balance in jeopardy. His film also shows great hands, and that he uses his long arms well. What I'd like to see him improve as a senior, is his kick-step, and finding his second level target and sticking with him. He has a tendency to get lost in the chaos in open field, which is super normal for his age. Once he starts coming off the rock harder and with more explosiveness in the run game, this kid has a ton of potential to make a big impact at the Pac-12 level."