250-pound California linebacker picks Arizona
by John Moredich on Jul. 31, 2007, under SportsCitizen Staff Writer
JOHN MOREDICH
jmoredich@tucsoncitizen.com
The first day of practice is usually exciting, but linebacker Zander Fabbri made it more special by announcing his commitment Monday to play for the Arizona Wildcats.
Fabbri, a three-star (out of five) Scout.com recruit from Centennial High in Bakersfield, Calif., had something to say during his first high school workout in the morning.
“I told the seniors and the guys on the team and the coaches that I was going to Arizona,” Fabbri said in a telephone interview. “It was pretty exciting for me.”
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound middle linebacker wants to make more of a statement with his play during his senior season. He had 94 tackles as a junior.
The 23rd-rated linebacker nationally by Rivals and the 25th-rated middle linebacker by Scout.com received offers from San Diego State and Colorado State and was recruited by several other Pac-10 schools.
Some were looking at the Wildcats’ first linebacker among their 12-player class as a fullback. Rivals’ 55th-best player among its top 100 in California had 833 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last year while playing both ways for Centennial.
The UA coaching staff is looking at him as just a linebacker.
“I’m a run stopper. I like to fly to the ball, and I think I have good instincts for the action,” Fabbri said. “I love to hit.”
The commitment came as little surprise. The Wildcats had led in landing Fabbri since coach Mike Stoops offered him a scholarship nearly three months ago.
An unofficial visit to UA last week sealed the deal.
“It was just a matter of getting a chance to look around down there. It was a lot more than what I was expecting,” Fabbri said. “Coming down there, I will do what I can to play right away. The coaches are telling me I could play early, but I have to get there and see how I do.”
