The Arizona Wildcats announced their full 2016 signing class Wednesday afternoon. The list can be found below, along with quick hitters from UA coach Rich Rodriguezโs news conference. Not listed: linebacker Michael Barton, who is expected to join the team in spring as a graduate transfer from Cal.
(*-midyear enrollee; **-grayshirt)
Name | Position | Height | Weight | Hometown (High School/Previous School)
JJ Allen | DE | 6-4 | 250 | Long Beach, Calif. (West Torrance HS/Long Beach CC)
Lorenzo Burns | CB | 6-0 | 165 | Temecula, Calif. (Linfield Christian HS)
Bryson Cain | OT | 6-4 | 270 | Temecula, Calif. (Great Oak HS)
Jalen Cochran | LB | 6-4 | 225 | Canton, Mich. (Canton HS)
Jacob Colacion | LB | 6-1 | 210 | La Habra, Calif. (La Habra HS)
Devaughn Cooper | WR | 5-11 | 175 | Harbor City, Calif. (Narbonne HS)
Tristan Cooper | S | 6-1 | 180 | El Paso, Texas (Andress HS)
Michael Eletise | OT | 6-4 | 295 | Honolulu, Hawaii (Kaiser HS)
Isaiah Hayes* | FS | 6-0 | 165 | Calabasas, Calif. (Calabasas HS)
Justin Holt | DT | 6-4 | 285 | Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe Catholic HS)
Francisco Nelson | LB | 6-3 | 215 | Lakeland, Fla. (Kathleen HS)
Kahi Neves* | LB | 6-4 | 240 | Provo, Utah (Timpview HS)
Jamie Nunley** | TE | 6-5 | 205 | Murrieta, Calif. (Vista Murrieta HS)
Antonio Parks** | CB | 5-10 | 177 | Reserve, La. (East St. John HS)
Shawn Poindexter | WR | 6-6 | 210 | Peoria, Ariz. (Centennial HS/Glendale CC)
Gavin Robertson | S | 6-2 | 200 | Auburn, Wash. (Mountain View HS)
Harper Sherman** | OT | 6-5 | 260 | New Westminster, B.C. (New Westminster School)
Khalil Tate * | QB | 6-2 | 206 | Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)
J.J. Taylor | RB | 5-6 | 155 | Corona, Calif. (Centennial HS)
Chacho Ulloa | S | 6-0 | 190 | Corona, Calif. (Centennial HS)
Keenan Walker** | OT | 6-5 | 266 | Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chaparral HS)
Jarrius Wallace | S | 6-2 | 180 | Marrero, La. (John Ehret HS)
* Rodriguez said a big focus in this year's class was getting more athletic, deeper and especially bigger on defense. Arizona sought longer, rangier players. The Wildcats go several at safety and linebacker. They still need to add bulk on the defensive line, Rodriguez said.
* Rodriguez said that recruiting prowess โin the areas we wanted to target" (read: Southern California) drew him to new defensive coaches Marcel Yates and Dontรฉ Williams.
* Rodriguez said he will hire a defensive line coach โin the next few days.โ
* Rodriguez described 5-6 tailback J.J. Taylorย as one of the most dynamic players in Southern California. Said heโs short but not small. โThere's a difference,โ Rodriguez said.
* Rodriguez talked a lot about wanting to blow up the entire signing-day model. Heโs not a big fan of "dog-and-pony showsโ and feels that having a specific signing date puts too much pressure on high school players.
* Rodriguez is really bullish on Arizona's depth along the offensive line. โI think we can get to 10-deep with quality guys,โ he said.
* Rodriguez said Michael Eletise likely will play guard but could play center or tackle as well. Rodriguez likes Eletiseโs strength and character and said he can become a leader of this class.
* Rodriguez said he liked quarterback Khalil Tate's arm, his demeanor and his willingness as a runner. The midyear enrollee will compete for playing time this year.
* Rodriguez joked that if any of the early enrollees are complaining about missing the prom, "you ain't the dude we want anyway."
* Regarding recruiting in general, Rodriguez expressed a desire to โcrank this thing up to another level.โ Hence the changes to the defensive staff.
* Rodriguez said the recruitment of 6-6 JC receiver Shawn Poindexter came together in about three hours Tuesday. The staff discovered him, offered him and got him.
* Rodriguez said 5-11 receiver Devaughn Cooper can play inside or outside. Veteran Cam Denson, whoโs moving from cornerback to receiver this spring, will start off outside.
* Rodriguez cited linebackers Jalen Cochran and Francisco Nelson as players who were somewhat overlooked nationally.
* Rodriguez really likes the physicality of safeties Tristan Cooper, Jarrius Wallace, Chacho Ulloa and Gavin Robertson. That was another big emphasis in this class.
* Rodriguez said the staff is โstill working out all the kinksโ when it comes to the defensive scheme. He also said it'd be taught in spring ball, which starts Feb. 12.
* Lastly, Rodriguez said there will be no spring game this year. There will be an open, scrimmage-like practice March 4. Itโs really a matter of semantics.
