As Shawn Poindexter flew home from an official visit to Marshall on Sunday, he knew he'd probably commit to play for the Thundering Herd.
Still, something was off.
"I said on Sunday night leaving Marshall, 'something doesn’t feel right,'" Poindexter, from Glendale CC, told the Star.
Still, he verbally committed to the Thundering Herd on Monday, and had been OK with that decision. He liked the academics, the idea of playing with quarterback Chase Litton and, hopefully, eventually developing into an NFL player down the line.
By Tuesday night, he was an Arizona Wildcat, flipping his commitment just as the Wildcats secured another junior college stand-out, Long Beach City College defensive lineman Josh Allen.
So what happened?
"It came out of nowhere," Poindexter said.
After some contact with UA assistant Charlie Ragle and a scholarship offer, Poindexter spoke with Rich Rodriguez, who told the 6-foot-6, 2-star receiver that he could hold off on deciding until the end of the week.
"He wanted to do right by me since it was so last minute," Poindexter said. "So he gave me some extra time. I just saw same thing Marshall had to offer, but at home so I can’t pass that up."
Poindexter, the 17th commitment in Arizona's 2016 class so far, is from Peoria, and played high school football at Centennial with UA offensive lineman Layth Friekh.
"I’m familiar with the program," Poindexter said. "Obviously ASU was always right down the street, but I knew a lot about U of A, and i’ve seen them play on TV numerous times, like when they smacked Oregon.
"I never thought i was going to be playing for U of A, for sure."
Poindexter's arrival in Arizona's 2016 class — he'll sign with the Wildcats on Wednesday — comes at an opportune time personnel-wise. Arizona lost Cayleb Jones to the NFL Draft, and David Richards ran out of eligibility, leaving Trey Griffey as Arizona's lone returning contributing receiver taller than 6-feet.
At Glendale CC in 2015, Poindexter had 47 catches for 727 yards and seven touchdowns.
"The big thing was they need a big receiver to get the ball to," Poindexter said. "I’m a big bodied receiver that loves to make plays. I love the ball in my hands. I love blocking and helping other people make plays.
"I’m basically like a clay," he added, "they can mold me to whatever they need me to be. With being athletic at my size, whatever they need me to do, I’m coachable and I’m sure I can do it."
