Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez has called the 2017 recruiting class potentially the βbest everβ for the Wildcats. Coming off a rough 3-9 campaign, the Wildcats need all the help they can get. National Signing Day is on Feb. 1, in the days leading up to that, this reporter will preview Arizonaβs recruiting class.
Note: A lot can change between now and Feb. 1, and the class likely won’t look the same now as it does on Signing Day. All ratings according to Scout.com.
First up: Defensive lineman Sione Taufahema.
Height: 6 foot 3 inches.
Weight: 320 pounds.
Hometown (high school/junior college): Mission Hills, California (Bishop Alemany/College of the Canyons).
Rating: 2-star.
Other offers: Hawaii, Northern Illinois, Massachusetts, Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
2016 stats: 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack.
Who he is: An early enrollee and Arizonaβs lone junior college recruit in the 2017 class.
Taufahema already signed his national letter of intent on the junior-college signing day.
How he fits: The Wildcats are desperate for size on the defensive line, and Taufahema instantly becomes the UAβs biggest player for that position group. Heβll compete for immediate playing time.
He said it: βI think Iβm definitely prepared to come in and win a starting spot. Being a junior-college guy and going up against other Division I prospects is going to help me a lot just to come in and play right away. That was part of the pitch.β β Taufahema
Here's Taufahema's Hudl highlight video