Best high school football photos

Cienega quarterback Jamarye Joiner (11) takes off out of the pocket during the first quarter of the Cienega Bobcats vs. Salpointe Catholic Lancers high school football game on Sept. 30, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Name: Jamarye Joiner

Position: Athlete

Height: 6-2

Weight: 185 

Hometown (high school): Tucson (Cienega)

Stars: 3

Cienega star Jamarye Joiner went to Arizona Stadium on Sept. 24, 2016, without any immediate plans for his college future.

Then he watched Brandon Dawkins start the game against No. 9 Washington by completing 11 straight passes. He saw Dawkins burst for a 79-yard touchdown, and finish the game with 176 total rushing yards.

Arizona lost in overtime, but Joiner still left the stadium with a different attitude: He knew wanted to be a Wildcat.

On Sept. 25, Joiner informed UA coach Rich Rodriguez that he was verbally committing to play for Arizona, making him Arizona’s first commitment for its 2018 class.

“I decided to pull the trigger … because of (Saturday’s) game,” Joiner told the Star. “I really saw myself in the role of Brandon Dawkins and envisioned myself making big plays.”

It’s been a bumpy road getting to this point for Joiner — after a stellar freshman season at Salpointe Catholic High, Joiner was expelled and missed the 2015 season. He transferred to Cienega before last season.

After that stellar freshman campaign with the Lancers, colleges took notice and Joiner received heavy interest, but that faded after his expulsion.

Now, he’s set to be a Wildcat.

“It feels good,” Joiner said.


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