With a mass exodus of senior linebackers from 2016, the Arizona Wildcats headed into the 2017 recruiting cycle badly needing more bodies at the position.
Tuesday, the Wildcats added the fifth linebacker to its incoming class, asΒ Colin Schooler of Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School announced his verbal commitment to UA on Twitter. He's the fifth linebacker commit in Arizona's 2017 class.Β
"I really love what they are building there," Schooler said in a text message to the Star. "I want to be a part of restoring the program to the top of the Pac-12."Β
The Wildcats have been considered a favorite for Schooler ever since offering him a scholarship on Dec. 14, though the middle linebacker had still planned to take an official visit to UNLV in January, one week after a planned Jan. 12 visit to Arizona.Β
Schooler, listed at 6-2, 225, also had offers from Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico and San Jose State. His offer from Nevada came via Scott Boone, the old Wolfpack defensive coordinator recently hired to coach linebackers at Arizona. Schooler said Tuesday that Boone β in addition to defensive coordinatorΒ Marcel YatesΒ andΒ head coachΒ Rich Rodriguez β were the main factors in his decision, along with academics.Β
For this story, Schooler told the Star about Boone: "Iβm excited, if I go to Arizona, to have the opportunity to play for him."
Schooler joinsΒ Joshua Brown,Β Kylan Wilborn,Β Tony Fields and the recently committedΒ Jose RamirezΒ as linebackers in Arizona's incoming class. Also, athleteΒ Jalen Harris is expected to play at the "stud" linebacker position, which is a sort of linebacker-defensive lineman hybrid.Β
According to Scout.com, the three-star Schooler is the top-rated inside linebacker in California and No. 2 in the West.
100% COMMITTED to the University of Arizona #BearDown @CoachYatesAZ @CoachScottBoone @CoachRodAZ @missionfootball @CSing57 pic.twitter.com/jRMXWeKo1i
β Colin Schooler (@SchoolerColin) December 27, 2016
