Rutgers’ late coaching change could benefit Arizona’s recruiting
by Anthony Gimino on Jan. 26, 2012, under Arizona football, Arizona football recruiting
Devin Fuller player in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after last season.
The Arizona Wildcats’ pursuit of quarterback Devin Fuller became more interesting with the news Thursday that Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano is leaving for the NFL.
The Scarlet Knights have been considered the favorites to land Fuller, who is from Old Tappan, N.J. But new UA coach Rich Rodriguez stayed in the hunt and recently convinced Fuller to take a trip to Arizona for the last of his five official recruiting visits, which he wrapped up Wednesday.
Arizona’s chances only figure to improve with Schiano’s departure for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers only six days before the signing period begins.
Fuller’s five finalists are Rutgers, Arizona, Nebraska, TCU and UCLA.
A couple of days ago, a six-person panel of recruiting analysts at Rivals.com unanimously predicted that Fuller — ranked the 34th-best player in the nation — would end up with Rutgers.
Fuller told 247sports.com that he would announce his decision Sunday at 5 p.m., although the news today could change that timetable.
Fuller (6-0, 185) is seen as an “athlete” who could end up in the secondary, but he wants to play quarterback. His run-pass skill set seems to match exactly what Rodriguez wants in a read-option quarterback.
Rodriguez can pitch the quarterback success he had at West Virginia with Pat White and at Michigan with Denard Robinson.
And the Cats have early opportunity to sell.
Arizona has no clear backup to senior Matt Scott in 2012, and whoever is in the program next fall would have a great chance to be the 2013 starter. UA has two other committed quarterbacks — Josh Kern from San Antonio and Javelle Allen from Prosper, Texas — in this class.
Fuller passed for 2,247 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior. He also rushed for 1,326 yards and 17 scores.
