Arizona is moving fast and furious with its 2017 recruiting class.
With eight months still to go before National Signing Day, the Wildcats have already secured verbal commitments from 15 recruits and could add a few more before the summer is over. Bryce Brand became the 15th on Tuesday, when the defensive end/outside linebacker from Bradenton, Florida, verbally committed.
The satellite camp circuit has proven to be particularly fruitful for the Wildcats, as Arizona has been on the road — primarily in Southern California — over the last couple weeks. Arizona has added five commitments so far in June, a couple of them while the Wildcats’ coaches were at camps.
As Arizona has learned in the past, though, just because a recruit commits to a school doesn’t mean he’ll stick it out until February.
Regardless, the Wildcats are off to a good start. Scout.com has Arizona with the top class in the Pac-12 so far.
Here’s a closer look at the six verbal commitments the Wildcats have added since the start of June.
Bryce Gilbert
Position: Tight end.
From: Higley High School (Gilbert).
Height/weight: 6-4, 230.
Scout.com rating: Three stars, No. 61 tight end, No. 18 in the West, No. 3 in Arizona.
Also considered: Arizona State, Illinois, Louisville, Nebraska, Oregon State, San Diego State and Utah.
How he fits: The Wildcats are loading up at tight end, and Gilbert brings some size and athleticism to the position. Arizona added six tight ends in recruiting over the last three years and has a seventh, Bryce Wolma from Saline, Michigan, committed for 2017.
Joshua Brown
Position: Inside linebacker.
From: Long Beach Poly High School (Long Beach, California).
Height/weight: 6-1, 222.
Scout.com rating: Three stars, No. 29 inside linebacker, No. 4 in the West, No. 3 in California.
Also considered: Fresno State, New Mexico, Ohio and UNLV.
How he fits: Take away Scooby Wright and the linebacker position has been a weak spot for the Wildcats in recent years. Arizona has quite a few bodies at linebacker now, but it never hurts to add more talent to the competition, particularly in the middle. Brown is viewed as one of the best inside linebackers in the West.
Brian Casteel
Position: Wide receiver.
From: Charter Oak High School (Covina, California).
Height/weight: 6-1, 200.
Scout.com rating: Three stars, No. 95 receiver, No. 13 in the West, No. 11 in California.
Also considered: Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State and Washington State.
How he fits: Receiver is a position of need for 2017 and beyond, as the Wildcats are set to lose Trey Griffey, Samajie Grant and Nate Phillips after the upcoming season. The Wildcats have been targeting Casteel for a while.
Edgar Burrola
Position: Guard.
From: Desert Pines High School (Las Vegas).
Height/weight: 6-6, 295.
Scout.com rating: Two stars.
Also considered: Adams State, Idaho.
How he fits: An under-the-radar prospect — the Wildcats found him at a recent camp and gave him an offer and he committed two days later — Burrola brings some size to Arizona’s offensive line, which is in good shape going forward. He’s high school teammates with linebacker Tony Fields, a fellow 2017 commit.
Drew Dixon
Position: Athlete.
From: Sabino High School.
Height/Weight: 6-4, 195.
Rating: Three stars, No. 62 athlete, No. 13 in the West, No. 2 in Arizona.
How he fits: Dixon is expected to play receiver at Arizona, although the Wildcats plan to let him compete at quarterback as well. He brings size and athleticism, and the Sabino product should have a chance to compete right away.
Bryce Brand
Position: Defensive end/outside linebacker.
From: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida).
Height/weight: 6-1, 235.
Scout.com rating: Three stars, No. 109 defensive end, No. 43 in the South, No. 18 in Florida.
Also considered: Louisville, Maryland, Mississippi State, Air Force, Temple.
How he fits: Brand fits the mold of the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker type with a pass-rushing specialty that the new UA defensive coaching staff has been recruiting heavily. On a team lacking a good pass rush in recent years, Brand should help in that area.
Extra points
- Three-star receiver Maurice Bell is to make a decision soon. The Murrieta, California, product visited Arizona last week, and the Wildcats are considered a favorite. They have competition from Michigan, Iowa, Colorado, Missouri and Washington State, among others.
- Another three-star receiver, Michael Young, has Arizona in his top 10. The Destrehan, Louisiana, native is expected to choose from among the UA, Oregon, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Missouri, Tulane, Minnesota and Virginia, with Colorado State and Louisiana-Lafayette also in consideration.
