With a mid-season coaching change, the Arizona Wildcats recruiting class isn’t safe.
Eighteen high school players had committed to Arizona, according to WildcatSportsReport.com, when coach Mike Stoops was fired Monday, and that number is down to at least 17.
Defensive back Leo Thomas, a three-star recruit from Sam Houston High in San Antonio, told the Sporting News that he already has de-committed.
Almost all of the players current committed will be exploring their options.
Athletic director Greg Byrne said it was his preference that, even with a new coaching staff in place, the school honor the commitment of any player who has said he will sign with Arizona. Whether such players still see themselves as a good fit at Arizona is another matter.
It’s mostly a wait-and-see situation, with Byrne trying to ensure good communication.
“I will be involved in the recruiting process until we name our head coach,” he said.
Stoops was putting together a solid recruiting class, which is ranked No. 23 nationally by Rivals.com and 35th by Scout.com.
Other recruiting links:
Wildcat Sports Report: TE Taylor McNamara reacts to Stoops firing
Daily Oklahoman: Douglass OL Cayman Bundage still committed to Arizona, but monitoring changes
Arizona Republic: Notes and quotes about three Phoenix-area players committed to Arizona, and target Devonte’ Neal, a receiver/cornerback from Chaparral.
Arizona Wildcats 2012 football recruiting class
| Name | Position | Height | Weight | School |
|
Jarrell Bennett
|
WR
|
5-10
|
155
|
Edna Karr (New Orleans)
|
|
Gerron Borne
|
DT
|
6-3
|
280
|
East St. John HS (Reserve, La.)
|
|
Beau Boyster
|
OT
|
6-4
|
285
|
St. John Bosco HS (Bellflower, Calif.)
|
|
Julian Brooks
|
WR
|
6-3
|
200
|
Sierra Canyon HS (Chatsworth, Calif.)
|
|
Cayman Bundage
|
OL
|
6-2
|
293
|
Douglass HS (Oklahoma City)
|
|
Ben Dixon
|
DE
|
6-3
|
250
|
St. Bonaventure HS (Ventura, Calif.)
|
|
T.D. Gross
|
OL
|
6-6
|
260
|
Santana HS (Santee, Calif.)
|
|
Zach Hemmila
|
OL
|
6-3
|
275
|
Chandler HS
|
|
A.J. Hilliard
|
LB
|
6-2
|
205
|
Klein (Texas) HS
|
|
Kyle Kelley
|
DE
|
6-3
|
205
|
Woodbridge HS (Irvine, Calif.)
|
|
Josh Kern
|
QB
|
6-5
|
190
|
Clark HS (San Antonio)
|
|
Anthony Lopez
|
RB
|
5-10
|
180
|
Mesquite HS (Gilbert)
|
|
Taylor McNamara
|
TE
|
6-5
|
235
|
Westview HS (San Diego)
|
|
Dwight Melvin
|
DE
|
6-1
|
265
|
Betty H. Fairfax HS (Laveen)
|
|
Steven Moore
|
OL
|
6-6
|
265
|
Elk Grove HS (Elk Grove, Calif.)
|
|
Devian Shelton
|
DB
|
6-2
|
185
|
Ingelwood (Calif.) HS
|
|
Nathan Sudfeld
|
QB
|
6-5
|
215
|
Modesto Christian HS (Modesto, Calif.)
|