Arizona got a head start on its 2025 recruiting class when the Wildcats added Chandler offensive lineman Toby Mealer last week.
Mealer pledged to the UA over Arizona State and UMass and isnβt like most offensive linemen his age. Actually, he wasnβt like most linemen playing in the NFL today.
As a sophomore at Chandler Hamilton High School, Mealer carried a whopping 370 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame. The 16-year-old Mealer said he βwas definitely a little overweightβ but has lost roughly 30 pounds since seasonβs end.
βRight now in the offseason, Iβm 6-5, 340,β he said. βIβm still trying to shed about 15 more pounds. ... Iβm cutting out all junk food, Iβm not having any sugary drinks, and Iβm eating a lot of meats like chicken, steak and salad for dinner. Iβm cutting back on bread and itβs helping out a lot.β
With the lost weight, βI feel like I can move way quicker, my feet are a lot faster, I have a better lung capacity and Iβm just feeling overall way better,β Mealer said.
Mealer spoke to ESPN Tucsonβs βSpears and Aliβ this week about why he selected Arizona, his football background and the UA-Hamilton pipeline:
What made you commit to Arizona so early in the recruiting process?
A: βWhen I first went down there to see the program, honestly itβs very top notch, everything is brand new and whenever I talk to the coaches, they always tell me their vision of the program. Honestly, I just bought in because I believe them. ... They were telling me they just want to turn the program around and theyβre recruiting the best players in the nation. I feel like theyβre going to be a powerhouse again in the next couple of years.β
Are you originally from Arizona?
A: βI was born in Oregon; I was born in Eugene and lived there for about 13 years. I made the decision to move to Arizona for the competition in high school sports, because itβs incomparable to Oregon.β
Did you know you always wanted to play football?
A: βIβve been dreaming about these days since I was about 3 or 4 years old. Iβve always loved football and Iβve always worn football gear. Football has always been a part of my life since I was born.β
What was your first memory of football?
A: βMy first memory of football was me and my dad watching football every weekday, every Sunday. We watched football almost every day, we talked about it and would always watch the drafts pretty much a whole life.β
What is your favorite football team?
A: βIβve been a Day 1 Bronco fan since I was born, but for college, Iβve always been a fan of Arizona but ever since I moved down here, it really pushed it.β
Did you go to Oregon Ducks games growing up in Eugene?
A: βI did here and there, but I never felt the connection like I did at Arizona. But yes, I went to a lot of the games.β
Between yourself, second-year edge rusher Russell Davis II, freshmen safety Genesis Smith and linebacker Taye Brown and backup center Grayson Stovall, why do you think thereβs a strong connection between Hamilton and the UA right now?
A: βAll the Hamilton kids are very well-respected there, treated with the utmost respect in all aspects. A lot of the Hamilton guys who go there, like Genesis and Taye, theyβre high-class people.β
Did you always know playing on the offensive line was your calling?
A: βEver since I was little, I was bigger than most kids, so O-line was my natural position and over the years I just fell in love with it.β
Are you expected to play tackle or guard?
A: βThatβs undetermined right now. They said when I get in there early, because Iβm going to be an early graduate, and they wanted to see how I move in spring ball. If Iβm a little quicker and gotta lose some weight, Iβll play tackle. As of now, Iβm probably going to play guard.β
What are the Wildcats getting out of a player like you?
A: βTheyβre getting a very loyal player, theyβre getting a physical player, and Iβm going to learn from all of my mistakes. Iβm very coachable, Iβd like to say. Theyβre getting a very physical and violent player on the field.β