Itโs National Signing Day โฆ with a twist. More than 70 percent of football prospects signed national letters of intent during the first-ever early signing period in late December. So there wonโt be as much activity as usual today.
But there will still be movement, and there are bound to be some surprises. Weโll give you all the latest Arizona Wildcats-related news right here. Be sure to check back frequently, as this blog will be updated until the UAโs 2018 class becomes official.
Make that two quarterbacks.
The Arizona Wildcats officially announced the signing of Cienega's Jamarye Joiner late Wednesday afternoon.
Please help us welcome Jamarye Joiner to the Arizona Family!#BearDown | #ATeam18 pic.twitter.com/B8DYyICF4E
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 8, 2018
Joiner and Kevin Doyle, who signed with the UA earlier Wednesday, give Arizona a pair of promising passers to groom behind Khalil Tate.
Joiner, whom the UA is listing at 6-2, 200 pounds, is a dual-threat quarterback in the mold of Tate. Joiner has been committed to Arizona since September 2016.
Barring any last-second surprises, that should put a cap on the Wildcats' 2018 signing class.
The Arizona Wildcats are addressing their potential depth issues at quarterback in a big way.
Kevin Doyle, a three-star pro-style quarterback from Washington, D.C., announced this afternoon that he will be coming to Tucson.
Finally! Signed and sealed to the University of Arizona! Thanks to everyone for the support! #BearDown #ATeam18 pic.twitter.com/oIzsjrpuf5
— Kevin Doyle (@Kevin_Doyle_13) February 7, 2018
The UA made it official soon after.
We're excited to welcome QB Kevin Doyle to the Wildcat family!#BearDown | #ATeam18 pic.twitter.com/UltAFLdibD
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 7, 2018
Doyle de-committed from Michigan on Sunday. He tweeted the next day that he had offers from Arizona and Colorado State. He picked the Wildcats.
Arizona also is expected to sign Cienega quarterback Jamarye Joiner. That would give the Wildcats six scholarship quarterbacks. But that number could shrink to four by training camp.
Rhett Rodriguez remains on the roster, but his status moving forward is uncertain after Arizona fired his father,ย Rich Rodriguez. Brandon Dawkins, meanwhile, is a possible candidate to transfer after he graduates in May.
Heisman Trophy candidate Khalil Tate enters 2018 as the prohibitive favorite to start. The other scholarship quarterback is K'Hari Lane, who redshirted last season.
Defensive back Armani Adams, a one-time Arizona commit, has signed with Florida Atlantic.
Adams, who's from St. Petersburg, had been listed among the Wildcats' verbal commits heading into the early signing period in December. He even visited Tucson on Dec. 8.
But Adams never signed with Arizona. FAU jumped on him, and now the three-star DB will play for Lane Kiffin.
Added the bio info for Lakewood DB Armani Adams to our FAU Signing Day LIVE! page. Former Arizona commit. https://t.co/igZOqnxpVI
— FAU OwlAccess (@FAUOWLACCESS) February 7, 2018
Arizona has announced two signings so far today - defensive end Adam Plant Jr. and safety/outside linebacker Dayven Coleman - bringing its haul for the class of 2018 to 18 players. Quarterback Jamarye Joiner is expected to become official later this afternoon, and Arizona could add another QB in Kevin Doyle, who's picking between the UA and Colorado State.
The Arizona Wildcats officially have added versatile defender Dayven Coleman to their 2018 signing class.
It's time to welcome our second signee of the day, Dayven Coleman!#BearDown | #ATeam18 pic.twitter.com/P6gB8VgNUo
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 7, 2018
Coleman announced his commitment to Arizona on Tuesday night. The three-star prospect from Mesquite, Texas, projects as a box safety or outside linebacker for the Wildcats.
Meanwhile, tailback Martell Irbyย has signed with UCLA, as expected. The three-star back from San Diego had been committed to Arizona but didn't sign with the UA in December after receiving a late offer from Chip Kelly and the Bruins.
.@martellirby is officially a Bruin!#8Clap | #NSD18 pic.twitter.com/qphsAAuDq7
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) February 7, 2018
Also, long snapper Geno Albini signed his paperwork Wednesday. The Wimberly, Texas, native will join Arizona as a preferred walk-on.
Can't wait to start the next chapter ๐ปโฌ๏ธ#NSD18 pic.twitter.com/Ih2KGqIocw
— Geno Albini (@GenoAlbini) February 7, 2018
The Arizona Wildcats have announced their first signee of the day.
Defensive end Adam Plant Jr. of Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman is officially a Wildcat.
We're excited to announce our first signing of the day. Bear Down Nation, please help us welcome Adam Plant to the Wildcat family. #BearDown | #ATeam18 pic.twitter.com/kd9qTOY3av
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 7, 2018
Adam is a 6-5, 240-pound defensive end from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. #BearDown | #ATeam18 pic.twitter.com/h3DFcji8YS
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 7, 2018
The UA is listing Plant at 6-5, 240 pounds. He told the Star previously that he was in the 260 range. Either way, he brings legit size to a position of need and could compete for immediate playing time with fellow Vegas product Justin Belknap.
Rivals ranks Plant as a four-star prospect - the lone four-star in Arizona's class, which totals 17 players as of now.
The Arizona Wildcats are a a finalist for three-star quarterback Kevin Doyle, who is set to make his announcement at 1 p.m. Tucson time.
Doyle, who's from Washington, D.C., had to improvise after a snowstorm canceled school at St. John's College High.
UPDATE: St. Johnโs will now be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Offices will open at 8:30 am. All school activities are canceled, including today's football signing day ceremony.
— St. John's CHS (@StJohnsCHS) February 7, 2018
Literally the one day we ALL wanted to have school. Smh https://t.co/6wWDb7y0su
— Kevin Doyle (@Kevin_Doyle_13) February 7, 2018
Announcing commitment at 3pmโผ๏ธโผ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/3edgLgjw9h
— Kevin Doyle (@Kevin_Doyle_13) February 7, 2018
Doyle de-committed from Michigan on Sunday. The next day, he tweeted that he had offers from Arizona and Colorado State.
Arizona has a commitment from Cienega QB Jamarye Joiner, who is expected to make it official later today. But the Wildcats' depth behind Khalil Tate is a concern. Donavan Tate left the program late last year, and Brandon Dawkins and Rhett Rodriguez face uncertain futures at the UA.
Arizona added a player to its โ18 haul Tuesday night when three-star safety/outside linebacker Dayven Coleman announced heโd be coming to Tucson.
Coleman, whoโs from Mesquite, Texas, told 247Sports and others that he actually signed with Arizona in December. He kept his decision under wraps until Tuesday, when he made it public it on a Dallas news broadcast.
ICYMI ~ @ROADS2GREATNESS just committed to @ArizonaFBall live on @FOX4. Congrats to Dayven and his family! #NSD18 pic.twitter.com/BfA2FqgcC5
— FOX 4 Sports (@KDFWsports) February 7, 2018
Coleman committed to UCLA in July before de-committing in November. One of the top recruiters on that Bruins staff, Demetrice Martin, is now part of Kevin Sumlinโs staff at Arizona.