Not too surprisingly, Arizona seems to be expanding its recruiting radius a bit.
For Rich Rodriguez's first few years as the UA coach, the Wildcats generally recruited the state of Arizona and California with some movement in Louisiana. In recent years, the UA has ramped up recruiting in Louisiana, and now is heavily adding Florida into the mix.
The main reason for that — offensive coordinator Calvin Magee has deep roots in Louisiana, specifically the New Orleans area; and new safeties coach Jahmile Addae is tackling Florida, which is where he's originally from.
Addae told me before spring drills began that "I’d do just about anything for a recruit. I’m one of the guys that would sell my soul."
He's doing a lot of that in Florida, or at least trying to.
So far, and particularly recently, Arizona has offered quite a few 2017 recruits scholarships from Louisiana and Florida, plus some other nearby Southern states.
On the roster currently, the Wildcats have nine players hailing from the South region, including cornerback Jarvis McCall (Florida), defensive end Jack Banda (Georgia) and running back Orlando Bradford (Louisiana). Plus, safety Jarrius Wallace (Louisiana) and linebacker Francisco Nelson (Florida) will join the team in the fall.
As for possible incoming recruits, four-star athlete Bruce Judson — from Cocoa, Florida — visited campus over the weekend and apparently had a great time.
Here are some of the 2017 recruits from the Florida, Louisiana and other Southern states that the Wildcats have offered recently. All ratings according to Scout.com.
- WR Keldrick Carper (Louisiana): 4-star; 6-3 185 pounds; Rated No. 183 overall, No. 24 WR, No. 9 WR in South, No. 2 WR in La.; Offered by Baylor, Miami, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, others.
- ATH Deejay Dallas (Georgia): 4-star; 6-0 191; Rated No. 258 overall, No. 22 athlete, No. 12 athlete in South. Offered by Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, others.
- DE J'Bril Glaze (Florida): 3-star; 6-3 240; Offered by Louisville, Kentucky, Mississippi State, others
- WR Darrian Felix (Florida): 3-star; 5-11 195; Offered by Miami, West Virginia, Kentucky, Louisville, others.
- TE Tre Mckitty (Florida): 3-star; 6-3 219; No. 12 tight end, No. 2 in South, No. 1 in Florida; Offered by Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Missouri and others.
- DE Jabreel Stephens (Florida): unrated; 6-5 225; Offered by Cincinnati, USF, Toledo, Buffalo, Western Michigan.
- CB Terrell Bailey (Louisiana): unrated; 6-0 175; Offered by Arkansas, Kansas State, Tennessee, others.
- RB Jacob Kibodi (Louisiana): unrated; 6-2 205; Offered by Georgia State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe.
- CB Amik Robertson (Louisiana): unrated; 5-9 160; Offered by Cincinnati, Louisiana-Lafayette, Toledo, Nicholls State.
