When analyzing a college football recruiting class years after the players signed their commitments on paper, one might ask, "How many players panned out and impacted the program?"
When looking at Arizona's 2022 recruiting class two years later, the question is, "How many players didn't work out for the Wildcats?"
Between high school prospects and the transfer portal, the UA's first recruiting class under head coach Jedd Fisch features the Wildcats' current leaders in passing (Noah Fifita), receiving yards (Tetairoa McMillan), receptions (Jacob Cowing), rushing (Jonah Coleman), tackles (Jacob Manu) and interceptions (Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis) — players who have all elevated the program from a one-win team to a unit on the cusp of becoming one of three Arizona teams to win 10 games in a season.
"If you just go down the list of guys that played that were a part of that class of 2022, there should be an ESPN ‘30 for 30’ (documentary) done about it," Fisch said. "If we all stay together and the amount of games that I think they can win this year and next will be a story of college football.”
McMillan, the highest-rated recruit to sign with the Wildcats in the modern recruiting era, said, "I think (Fisch) truly believes that" there will be a documentary made on the UA's '22 class.
"Man, our 2022 class, if you look down the list, we got some guys," McMillan said on Tuesday. "First Team All-Pac-12 (selections), some All-Americans in there, and I think it's a testament to Coach Fisch and the coaches he brought here and the foundation he set for all of us. I think we trusted in him as a prodigy. The class of 2022, the sky is the limit for us. Time will tell what we're able to do."
Arizona sophomore cornerback Ephesians Prysock said, "When we first got here, we just came to work.
"I want to build a legacy for when my time is done here, for Arizona to still be great," he said. "To keep Arizona on the map."
Leading up to the early signing period, which begins on Wednesday for the 2024 recruiting class, the Wildcats have 22 players committed, including three prospects in the transfer portal in Indiana cornerback Jordan Shaw, UC Davis defensive tackle Chubba Maae and Tennessee safety Jack Luttrell. Arizona's '24 class currently ranks seventh in the Big 12, according to 247Sports.com.
Greg Biggins, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, spoke with the Star about Arizona's 2024 recruiting class, the potential impact of the group compared to '22 class, and the program's selectiveness in the transfer portal.
Four-star defensive back and Seattle product Rahshawn Clark flipped from Cal to Arizona.
What are your overall thoughts on the collective group Arizona is about to sign for 2024?
A: "I love what they're doing. You can judge a class by three things: (First,) need. If you have a need at left tackle and you get eight receivers who are all really good, did you really fill that need? Need, balance and difference-makers. You want to get a nice combination of all three of those things. They have some really good players and some underrated players that I think we have (rated) a bit low, but it's well-balanced. You have your quarterback, you have your skill players, you have your linemen and they've done pretty well in the transfer portal. I think it's a pretty deep class and I like the direction the program is going."
What's your assessment of four-star Chandler quarterback Demond Williams, and how do you envision his role playing out at the UA?
A: "Nowadays, players aren't super patient. If they're not starting by, maybe, their redshirt freshman year, they're going into the portal, so hopefully he's content being the backup for a couple of years and learn from Noah. There's some similar characteristics. A couple of sub 6-feet quarterbacks who are playmakers. I think Demond is better athletically. Noah was so proficient in understanding the passing game, making decisions and quick reads. It could be good for Demond to sit and watch and be ready to take over. Hopefully he can be patient. He's an exciting quarterback, he's a winner, he's a great leader, and he has all the intangibles you want, similar to Noah. Their playing styles are a little different. Demond is more of a willing runner, where Noah is more of a pocket guy who will run when he needs but he'll sit in the pocket."
Indiana defensive back Jaz Boykin (28) and defensive back Jordan Shaw (23) celebrate after Indiana defeated Wisconsin on Nov. 4 in Bloomington, Indiana.
Considering Arizona returns a lion's share of its starters for next season, do you envision fewer transfer-portal additions compared to the last two years?
A: "I think so. I haven't seen a lot of Luttrell. I saw a ton of Chubba. Loved him as a center and guard; he played both ways and is just a stud. I think he can make an impact and play next year. I also saw a ton of Jordan Shaw, one of the better two-way players coming out of California. Ephesians and Tacario have those two corner spots locked in, but Shaw is at the same level. He's that good. The portal comes down to NIL money and how much you're willing to spend. If you're Arizona, I don't think you're willing to break the bank unless you really have a guy at a position of need. If you feel good about your depth and who you have, there's no reason why you can't just be content bringing in a small transfer class. Some schools are going to bring in 10-15 guys and I think there's some danger in that. You bring in that many guys, they expect to play right away. Arizona has good depth, so don't bring in guys just to bring in a guy. ... If you're Arizona, you've had great recruiting classes, you've developed great depth, great culture in the locker room, so you can afford to be pickier versus a team that needs guys to come in right now."
Prior to signing with the Wildcats to play in 2022, Arizona quarterback signee Noah Fifita, was joined by Servite High School teammates Tetairoa McMillan, left, and Keyan Burnett, right, when he visited Tucson.
How rare is it for a recruiting class to have such a high hit rate, like Arizona's 2022 class?
A: "They didn't miss. Even Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, in a 25-man class, there's always going to be guys that don't play at all and are highly-rated kids. It seems like every single one of Arizona's (recruits), even the low-rated guys like (linebacker) Jacob Manu, they're all contributing and playing at a high level. You can go down the Pac-12 in the last five years, they have probably the highest hit rate in that five-year period. It's pretty insane how well they did."
Do you envision the '24 class having the same impact as the '22 group?
A: "One class can definitely help turn a program around or even get over the hump. But you need two or three classes back-to-back to really build a team that's sustainable. You never want to be a one-hit wonder where you have this great year and live on that. ... You want to be able to sustain it. This class is really good, but I don't want to say this class is similar to the 2022 class with T-Mac and them. I think it's a good class. Definitely guys who can play at all spots. Even some of the portal guys, like Jordan Shaw should be able to play. I think this class is going to keep the momentum rolling for Arizona and will keep them competing at a high level."
Three star defensive back Rahim Wright II, left, and linebacker Stacy Bey, right, are teammates at Rancho Cucamonga High School in Southern California, whom both committed to the Arizona Wildcats on Oct. 6.
Four-star running back Jordan Washington, a Long Beach, California native, is one of Arizona’s top commits for 2024.
Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch says the Wildcats are "a very close-knit team with the coaches and players alike," which has been essential in the program's ascension. Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
