Name: Colin Schooler
Position: Inside linebacker
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220 pounds
Hometown (high school): Mission Viejo, California (Mission Viejo)
Rating: Three stars, No. 16 inside linebacker, No. 2 in the West, No. 1 in California
Other offers: Nevada, Fresno State, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV
2016 stats: 77 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
Who he is: A late offer from Arizona, Schooler was a standout for a dominant Mission Viejo team. His numbers dropped a bit from his junior to senior season, but that largely happened because the Diablos won 11 games, on average, by 32.9 points per game, often resting starters in the second half.
How he fits: Arizona lost three players with inside linebacker experience — Cody Ippolito, Michael Barton and Jake Matthews — and are desperate for immediate impact players. Schooler will compete with fellow incoming freshman Joshua Brown, along with redshirt freshman Jacob Colacion, for playing time.
He said it: “Before Coach (Marcel) Yates moved to (defensive backs), he told me that they have five linebacker scholarships this year and they need all of them, and they need every single one of them to be ready to play. I’m excited that they have a spot to compete for there.” — Schooler.
