Howdy everyone! Brandon here answering another reader question. This time the subject is Arizona's potential recruiting class ranking for 2020.
Gabe and I have talked about this for a little while now and we both feel the same on the subject. We think Arizona will finish with a Top 35 class. We don't feel that the 'Cats are quite at the Top 25 level. Kevin Sumlin and company have done a great job recruiting so far, but they haven't fully stretched their legs yet. This 2020 class will really be the first class that the staff will have a major impact on the recruiting trail. Yes, 2019 was their first full class, but since they were all hired late in the process, they started behind the curve. During the 2019 cycle, UA started establishing the relationships needed to help them suceed in 2020. As we transition into spring, and even into summer, I'd expect we'll start to see the fruits of the staff's labor. I'm actually pretty happy, overall, with how the 2019 class shaped out. There was a lot of talent and upside in the class, and although they didn't have the "star power' everyone likes to see, they still managed to finish inside the Top 60. For the upcoming cycle, I do not expect 2020's class to finish just inside the Top 60. Instead, I anticipate Arizona will grasp a spot in the Top 35 and still finish with the type of class expected from a Kevin Sumlin-run recruiting attack.
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Hey guys, Brandon here! Ready to answer another reader question, and it's a good one: Will Salpointe standout Lathan Ransom stay in-state? More importantly, will he stay local?
This is one I've been waiting to answer for some time. Both Gabe and I believe that Ransom will leave. He is getting pulled in 20 different directions by other programs and that draw is what will send him out of state. Now there is legit interest in Arizona from Ransom and the Wildcats have prioritzed him, bringing him on campus a few times. Proximity helps but their is interest there. The 'Cats will continue to try to keep him home, but the belief is he'll still go a different route. His teammate, on the other hand, is a different story. Both Gabe and I believe the 'Cats have a legit shot at landing Bijan Robinson. Hey guys! Brandon here answering another question from the you, the readers. The subject? P.J. Johnson's replacement.
To be honest, Johnson is going to be tough to replace. He was a freak athlete, a good mix of size, speed, and athleticism. And it's not just Johnson Arizona is missing, Dereck Boles is also gone. However, Myles Tapusoa will do just fine at Boles' nose tackle spot. Back to Johnson. Currently the 'Cats have redshirt senior Finton Connolly and redshirt freshman Nahe Sulunga currently on the team. The 'Cats also have newcomer Trevon Mason, who is a mountain of a human being. It is worth noting that Sulunga could also move back to defensive end if needed. This leaves the transfer market for Arizona to find another lineman. There are three guys that I can see Arizona adding. The first is BYU transfer Tevita Mo'unga. The Southern California native is talented and has flashed it often. The only problem is his health. His career in Provo has been plagued by injuries and has kept him off the field. The talent is there and would be a great pickup if Arizona lands him. He finished his career with the Cougars with 26 tackles and 1 TFL in 23 games. The second player is also a former BYU player, Wayne Kirby. Kirby transferred to BYU from Oregon and did not see any action with the Cougars. He did play in 9 games as a freshman in Eugene. He had 11 tackles, a fumble recovery, and 2 PBUs. He has good size (6'3", 320 lbs) and would be another good pickup. Finally we reach Zach Abercrumbia. The transfer from Rice is smaller than Kirby and Mo'unga, sitting at 6'2" and 286 lbs. However, he was very productive in his time for the Owls. He finished his career with Rice with 117 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 3 sacks, a forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries. Again, would be another solid option for Arizona. Again, these are three that I see Arizona getting involved with the 2019 season. All would be great additions, but it would still be hard to replace Johnson's freakish abilities. Hey everybody! Brandon here answering a question from a reader about the chances of Keyshawn Johnson Jr. playing next season.
This is a question I get regularly and I can say I'm 60-40 that he won't be playing this upcoming sesaon. He has been on campus for about a year now and it seems that he has been enjoying the fraternity life. Throw into the mix the fact that he hasn't played football in over 2 years and I just don't see it. Now I could be 100% wrong on this. He has said in the past that he would be playing in 2019 and that could be very true. Hard work and dedication can allow him to easily get into game playing shape. I will be interested to see how the overall situation plays out but for the time being I'm staying with my "I'll believe it when I see it" mentality. Back at ya again with a question I was asked on Twitter
Any shot Rich Rodriguez could steal a few pieces if he takes the Ole Miss job? I don’t think there would be a starter who leaves for Ole Miss straight up. It would have to be someone already prepared to transferred and at that point they probably aren’t good enough to compete at the SEC level, especially at Ole Miss where they’re recruiting top 15 classes already. I also don’t think that any defensive guys would go simply because that’s a lot harder for Rich to vouch for their implementation. At least on offense he can get a guy who he knows fits and how he can work. But I’ve looked over the scholarship tracker and I see some guys who could potentially leave. One, obviously is Rhett. He likely wouldn’t be on scholarship at Ole Miss, but he could transfer, sit out a year, be the quarterback room guy and be closer to his dad once again. Luckily as a university of employee, Rich could get Rhett on a qualified tuition reduction rather than a scholarship, which is what should have happened at Arizona but that’s beside the point. I still think there’s a chance that he would stay at Arizona tho. It ultimately depends on what the family wants to do. Now onto number two, Nathan Tilford. The former four-star running back, top 250 kid who has now had a pair a running back coaches say that he just didn’t understand the concepts and system. He’s the only Arizona player with great talent that is buried on the depth chart. He wouldn’t have to sit out a year, and perhaps a fresh start would do him good anyways. And here’s the thing, Ole Miss doesn’t exactly have a whole lot of talent at the position. It looks like they’re currently trying to plug a hole there and fill in with junior college guys. It makes too much sense. Now that I’ve gone through the list again I’m adding a bonus name so if you’ve made it this far congrats. Jamie Nunley is potentially someone to watch. A fantastic hybrid tight/receiver that worked well when he was utilized. Tight ends got little run at Arizona this season. He won’t have to sit out a year, so it’s something to think about. I think Rich is a slam dunk hire for Ole Miss. Great offensive mind that did a lot on offense with not a lot of options. I’ll die on a hill saying that it wasn’t Rich’s talent level that he recruited, it was his lack of player development and retention. Just let him call the plays and draw stuff up. Plus, at Ole Miss the talent comes to you. Mississippi is one of the most talent dense states in the nation. It doesn’t hurt to be in the SEC. Now that I’m thinking about it, does Jace Whittaker potentially leave? I don’t think so, but that is another interesting one to think about. Sup everyone,
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