Arizona was 'different from other schools' for tight end Darren Schmitt

Amid Arizona’s uptick in commits for its 2026 recruiting class, the Wildcats landed another tight end from Washington.

Three-star tight end Darren Schmitt pledged to the Wildcats last week, joining Seattle-area tight end Henry Gabalis as UA commits from Washington.

The 6-5, 225-pound Schmitt, who also held offers from Cal, Boise State and San Diego State, among others, is entering his senior season at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington. Schmitt was previously committed to Boise State before he flipped to the Wildcats.

Even though Schmitt’s hometown shares the same name as the Canadian city neighboring Washington, it’s closer to Portland.

Schmitt committed to Arizona for “the coaches, the school,” he said.

“When I went to the school for the first time, it was great,” Schmitt said. “I knew by the time that I got there, it was somewhere I wanted to go.”

Schmitt and Gabalis will bolster Arizona’s tight end room, which will lose Keyan Burnett, Sam Olson and Mercyhurst transfer Cameron Barmore to graduation. The Wildcats are expected to return redshirt junior Tyler Powell and incoming freshman Kellan Ford after the 2025 season.

Schmitt joined “Spears & Ali” on ESPN Tucson to talk about his commitment to the Wildcats and his path to football.

What separated Tucson and the UA from the other schools and cities?

A: “I love the area. It’s a beautiful area and I haven’t seen anything like it, like the weather and the people. The coaches and the staff, I can tell they’re different from other schools, and I want to be a part of what they have to offer.”

What have the conversations been like with Arizona tight ends coach Josh Miller?

A: “I’ve had a lot of conversations with him. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve talked to. He wants to win and he knows what he needs. He has a philosophy in how he can help me grow as a player, athletically and as a person. He’s just a great coach.”

Has Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege gone over his playbook with you? If so, how does your skillset fit into the system at Arizona?

A: “He hasn’t gone too far into his playbook. With my tight ends coach, I was going over what they want to see me do and see if I can implement some of the stuff they do to my game during my senior season. I haven’t learned the playbook yet, but I think that’s why I’m going to early enroll and learn it early.”

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What is unique about your hometown of Vancouver, Washington?

A: “Vancouver is a cool little town. It’s closer to Portland than anything and we’re like a little Portland. All my friends and family are here. It’s not boring. There’s a lot of lakes, trees, food spots.”

When did you start playing football?

A: “I didn’t start playing football until my freshman year. I was going to play basketball, but one of my friends told me to play football because I was 6-4 as a freshman. He was like, ‘You can be a tight end,’ but I was 155 pounds at 6-4. I wanted to play basketball, because I didn’t weigh anything. One of my friend got me into football because he knew I was going to be special. It all worked out.”

How did you rise from first-year football player to Division I football recruit?

A: “Work. You gotta do stuff you don’t want to do all the time. ... All the work I’ve been putting in the last two years have paid off. It’s just about work and dedication.”

Do you have a favorite football team or a player you emulate your game after?

A: “Not really. I never really liked football. I got into freshman year, so I didn’t look up to anyone. If I compared my game to anybody, it would be Kyle Pitts. I could be a similar tight end hybrid.”

If you didn’t play football, what do you think you’d be doing?

A: “Probably a gamer. I love games, hanging out with friends and playing basketball. Xbox is the best console. I don’t like (PlayStation) or PC, I like Xbox. There’s a lot of good games on it. I like story games. I don’t like multiplayer games. I like chilling and having an adventurous time.”

Have you decided what you’re majoring in and what you want to pursue outside of football?

A: “Probably in business. I want to be set up for life after college. I also want to do something in sports med or coaching. ... I want to develop players and be a part of a team.”

What kind of player is Arizona getting out of you?

A: “They’re going to see. Especially with their coaches, it’s going to be great. Y’all are going to see how much work I’ll put in and it’s going to be great. Y’all are going to see.”