UA Wildcat Football
Beating Devils could boost Cats' in-state recruiting
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The Wildcats have 10 scholarship players from Arizona:
Pos. Player School
DE Kenny Barnes Glendale Kellis
S Glyndon Bolasky Sabino
WR B.J. Dennard Phoenix Brophy
HB Brandon Lopez Cienega
TB Terry Longbons Peoria Centennial
DT Chris Merrill Scottsdale Saguaro
DE Brooks Reed Sabino
TB Xavier Smith Sunnyside
WR Devin Veal Sierra Vista Buena
PK Alex Zendejas Glendale Ironwood
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Peoria High School tailback Jamal Miles says he won't pick a college based on who wins the Duel in the Desert.
But an Arizona victory over Arizona State, coupled with UA's first bowl game since 1998, couldn't hurt the Wildcats as they try to land Miles and inch closer to ASU when it comes to in-state recruiting.
Entering the 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Arizona Stadium, the Cats (6-5, 4-4 Pac-10) have four in-state commitments for the 2009-2010 class compared with ASU's seven.
"When we get better as a program, it will be easier for us to recruit more in-state kids," said UA linebacker coach and chief in-state recruiter Tim Kish. "They needed to see this program improve and for us to be a winning program to get serious consideration."
UA, which is seeking its first winning season in 10 years, and ASU both covet the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Miles. He ran for 2,168 yards and 29 touchdowns this season and is the state's No. 6-rated player by Rivals.
"I like the coaches a lot at Arizona and the program is on the rise," Miles said. "ASU feels like a real family and I know more about ASU. I don't have a favorite right now."
Miles, who also is considering Utah and Colorado State, rushed for 199 yards and four TDs in a 33-27 state Class 4A-I quarterfinal victory over Goodyear Millennium before his team lost to Scottsdale Saguaro 17-14 in the semifinals last week.
In the last few years, UA beat out ASU for tailback Xavier Smith (Sunnyside) and defensive end Brooks Reed (Sabino), who said staying home was a factor in choosing the Cats.
"Being a Tucsonan, I'm starting to see more playing time and my friends and family are starting to watch me," Reed said. "It's motivation."
But Reed is the lone in-state starter for the Wildcats, who have nine Arizona players on their current roster.
Conversely, ASU boasts 14 in-state players on its two-deep depth chart - nine of them starters. One reason the Devils have dominated recruiting in the state: They've gone to four straight bowl games.
"You have to hold down your own territory," UA coach Mike Stoops admits. "You're not going to pull them all in or get them all. You have to be competitive in your own state. That's very important."
If Miles came to UA, he would join Ironwood Ridge linebacker Jake Fischer, Glendale Cactus offensive lineman Chris Putton, Chandler Hamilton cornerback Ryan Milus and Arizona Western College defensive back Marcus Benjamin in the 2009 class.
Arizona also is in serious consideration for Palo Verde receiver Adam Hall, who also is considering ASU, Alabama and others.
A year ago, UA signed defensive end Kenny Barnes from Glendale Kellis and Scottsdale Saguaro defensive tackle Chris Merrill.
Arizona State had nine commitments from the state in 2008, with defensive back Jarrell Barbour and receiver Gerell Robinson both decommitting from the Wildcats to play for the Sun Devils. Barbour didn't enroll due to academic issues.
Making it harder on UA is that other schools are pursuing the state's top players more than ever.
Nebraska, USC, Colorado and California have been among schools to sign multiple players listed among the 10 best in the state recently.
"We want to keep the good players in state at home, and obviously we want them coming here," Kish said. "It is a shame that some of the top talent in the state has left. We have to prove ourselves. Winning always helps that cause.
"There are opportunities here for guys to earn scholarships. We have to do our job and our homework to find the right fits."
All kids want to play for a WINNER, and Mike hasn't proven that he is yet.
Yes, he has raised the program to respectability, but he hasn't progressed to that next stage, so coveted by recruits.
What do you say, Mike? How about starting to coach "to win", and seeing what shakes out? :-)
Robert