It's official! I am an Arizona Wildcat!! You gotta follow the people you love and the people who love you! #carryonthetradition!!! #beardown
— Trevor Wood (@trevwood3) July 27, 2013
Trevor Wood is ready to go after missing most of his junior season. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
The Arizona Wildcats kicked off their red-carpet recruiting event Saturday night with a commitment from tight end Trevor Wood, who also held an offer from Alabama.
Wood, rated as the top tight end in the state by the Arizona Republic, picked Arizona over Oregon and UCLA. He had offers from several schools in the Pac-12, as well as from Oklahoma, Michigan State and the Tide.
His dad, Dave Wood, was a first-team All-Pac-10 defensive tackle in 1984. His uncle, Brent Wood, was an Arizona linebacker from 1983-86. His brother, Carter Wood, is a sophomore walk-on center.
“I want to carry on the family tradition and play with my brother, be on the same team,” Trevor told the Arizona Republic, our Gannett partner. “I like the coaches. I like what they’re doing over there.”
And then there is the high school connection. Wood will be a senior at Scottsdale Chaparral High School. Arizona tight ends coach Charlie Ragle, in his second season with head coach Rich Rodriguez, is the former state-title-winning head coach there.
The Wildcats have five players from Chaparral on their roster, including running back Davonte’ Neal and linebacker Cody Ippolito and a trio of walk-ons.
Wood (6-5, 235) missed most of his junior season with a shoulder injury but has been impressive on the summer camp circuit. He is rated a three-star recruit by the major recruiting services.
Wood’s high school teammate and good friend, wide receiver Tyler Whiley committed to Arizona State last week. Whiley tweeted this after Wood’s commitment to UA:
Crazy how my bestfriend will be my rival in college. Big ups to my man @trevwood3 for committing to u of a. Much love.
— Ty Whiley (@TeeWhiley) July 27, 2013