Then there were 23.
At one point this season, Arizona had as many as 27 verbal commitments for its 2017 recruiting class, but in the wake of recent decommitments — and one commitment — it's now down to 23.
The latest, though, shouldn't come as a surprise.
Arizona Western defensive tackle Matt Leo signed with Iowa State on Wednesday night after being committed to the Wildcats since August.
According to sources, Arizona quietly dropped Leo from its class recently. Regardless, the likelihood of Leo sticking with the Wildcats slimmed in recent weeks after he garnered offers from Oklahoma and Mississippi State, visiting the former recently.
Many expected him to pick the Sooners on National Signing Day for junior colleges (Wednesday), but instead he picked the Cylcones, the second team to offer him a scholarship.
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said in a statement about Leo: "One word comes up with Matt, and it's size. He's got great length and really does a great job coming off the edge. He has the ability to rush the passer, but also the strength and ability to stop the run."
Leo was always going to be a project in college, as he just started playing football last year and only managed 17 tackles for Arizona Western this season. Still, the tools are tantalizing — 6-foot-7, 275 pounds and top-notch athleticism at a position of need.
In recent days, from its 2017 class the Wildcats have also lost receiver Darrian McNeal, who flipped to Oregon, and linebacker Delshawn Phillips, who signed with Illinois on Wednesday. Since the end of the season the Wildcats have also dropped defensive lineman Elijah Watson from its class and lost four-star athlete Greg Johnson to a decommitment.
