Steven Gurrola, before playing in the Arizona vs. Southern California high school all-star game in the summer of 2011. Photo by Pat Shanahan, The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Wildcats have a potential replacement for senior center Kyle Quinn following the 2012 season, having received a commitment from center Steven Gurrola of Glendale (Ariz.) Community College.
Gurrola took an unofficial visit to the UA campus last weekend and decided to join Rich Rodriguez’s team.
“He’s a very intense player. Very athletic,” said Glendale coach Mickey Bell. “He’s a great leader on our team.”
Gurrola attended Phoenix Washington High School, but was a non-qualifier out of high school and landed at Glendale, where his older brother, Daniel, played defensive tackle before moving on to Utah State.
Bell converted Steven Gurrola (6-2, 285) to center as a freshman.
“We moved him based on needs,” Bell said, “but I think he can play any of the positions. He’s probably a little short to play tackle, but he has the athleticism to do it.”
Gurrola was receiving recruiting interest from other Pac-12 schools, Bell said. Gurrola is expected to graduate from Glendale next spring. He would have two years of eligibility at Arizona, plus a redshirt year available.
Bell said it was a good idea for Arizona to hold its first spring scrimmage at Glendale Community College.
“It was good for their PR and their visibility up here, to get in front of the local high school coaches and some of the local kids,” Bell said.
There are some junior college highlights of Gurrola at this link.