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GRIDIRON ARIZONA

Your Source for 6A & 5A High School Football Scores, Schedules, and Power Points

HS Football Recruiting: Class of 2019



See the new recruiting page at:  https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/hs-football-recruiting-class-of-2019

UPDATED:  6/26/18

Colleges across the nation continue to take notice of the prep talent in Arizona each season.  More than 260 players from the Class of 2018 signed with schools last spring to advance their football careers, and receive an education.

Monday began the dead period on the NCAA Division I FBS recruiting calendar.  Through July 24, coaches may not have in-person contact with recruits or their parents.  They can still communicate with them via telephone, e-mail, social media, or letters.  So, the recruiting doesn't stop completely and relationships can still be built.


The recruitment of Perry offensive tackle Brayden Rohme continues to heat up.  The 6-6, 265-pound lineman collected offers on consecutive days last Wednesday and Thursday from Vanderbilt and Nebraska.  Earlier this month, Rohme took an official visit to Iowa State.  This is the first summer that senior recruits can take official visits before the college school year begins.  Rohme's Puma teammate, D'Shayne James, is an ISU commit and of course, quarterback Brock Purdy signed there last February.  Vanderbilt will kick off its season on Sept. 1 at home in Nashville against Middle Tennessee with an evening kickoff of 4:30 p.m. Arizona time.  The Commodores (5-7 last season) hold a 14-3 advantage in the series after defeating MTSU 28-6 in last year's opener.  The Scott Frost era will also begin on Sept. 1 as Nebraska plays host to Akron.  That game will be nationally televised on FOX with a kickoff of 5 p.m. Arizona time.  This will be the third straight year that the Cornhuskers (4-8 last year) open the season with a night game.  The following week, NU welcomes Pac-12 opponent Colorado for an afternoon game.
 

Jadon Pearson took part in a camp last week.  He attended the one in Vanderbilt and during his visit, the Williams Field safety got his first Power Five offer from the Commodores last Saturday.  Pearson (6-3, 170) had 42 tackles and was a ball hawker in the secondary with six interceptions for WFHS.  In the spring, he competed in the 110-meter hurdles and finished third in the Division II state meet with a time of 14.81.


Oliver Carras received an offer from an FCS school with a winning track record - South Dakota State - last Thursday.  Carras is a 6-4, 220-pound defensive end at Chaparral.  Last season, he led the Firebirds with six sacks.  Carras was named to the All-5A Northeast Region Second Team last year.  He also shows some quickness having been timed at 4.78 in the 40-yard dash.  Chaparral moves up to the 6A Desert Valley Region for the 2018 season.  South Dakota State tests itself in the early part of the season as the Jackrabbits have seven games lined up over the next decade against FBS schools.  This year, SDSU opens in Big 12 country at Iowa State.  Last year, South Dakota State finished 11-3 and played in the FCS semifinals.  It was the sixth consecutive postseason appearance for the Jackrabbits and most successful in school history with a record number of victories and first trip to the semis.


Basha offensive lineman Jonathon Durand earned his second offer last Thursday and it came from the Ivy League.  Princeton extended it to the 6-3, 250-pound guard.  Durand will team up with Arizona State-commit Roman DeWys on the O-Line to try and turn around the fortunes of the Bears with new head coach Chris McDonald.  He's a hard worker with a high motor.  Last Wednesday, Durand visited Army, the other school that had offered him.  Princeton will make an appearance on ESPNU this season when the Tigers travel to New York City to face Columbia on Friday, Sept. 28.  The Tigers are 15-4 versus Columbia over the past 19 years, but one of those losses came last year when the Lions rallied in the final two minutes for a 28-24 win.  The televised matchup will be the first conference game for both schools in 2018.  Durand tacked on another offer on Monday from Colorado School of Mines.  The Division II school is part of the Rocky Mountain Conference and the Orediggers play their games in Golden.  Mines will open its season on Sept. 1 against Adams State (Colo.).  Last year, the Orediggers finished 7-4 after defeating Black Hills State (S. Dak.) in their finale.  Boulder Creek grad Nick Angieri sealed the game with an interception late in the fourth quarter to cap off his freshman year.


Max Sandlin took a trip to Annapolis, Maryland to visit the United States Naval Academy last Friday.  A day later, the Chandler linebacker gained an offer from the Midshipmen.  The 6-5, 220-pound linebacker had 38 tackles and four sacks for the 6A champs last year.  Sandlin is a prospect that is long and plays both outside linebacker and defensive end.  This was his third offer.  Not surprisingly, Navy's scores for the Academic Progress Rate (APR) are far ahead of the national average.  The Mids averaged 992, a nearly perfect score, while the national average is 964.  Last year, Navy finished 7-6 and rolled to an easy 49-7 victory over Virginia in the Military Bowl.  In the game, backup QB Zach Abey tied an FBS bowl record with five rushing touchdowns.  The Midshipmen attempted just one pass in the contest, which was played on their home field.  On Monday, Sandlin added an offer from Army.  Army center Bryce Holland (Hamilton alum) was named to the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, going to the best center in college football.  Last year, Black Knights QB Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for a service academy-record 1,746 yards.  Army was 10-3 last season and that included a thrilling 14-13 win over Navy last December in Philadelphia.  It was the first time Army secured the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy since 1996. Philly will once again play host to the Army-Navy Classic on Dec. 8 with CBS broadcasting the game at 1 p.m. Arizona time.


Here's the rest of the offers since last Wednesday:

Sunrise Mountain quarterback Keegan Freid received his first offer from Air Force.
Saguaro offensive guard Jelani Newman received an offer from San Jose State.
Saguaro running back Marqui Johnson received his first offer from Mary (N. Dak.).
Mountain Pointe running back Jakim McKinney received his first offer from Mary.
Skyline offensive guard Noah Barta received his first offer from Minot State (N. Dak.).
Casteel offensive tackle Brandon Babcock received an offer from Yale.
Chandler linebacker Trey Franco received his first offer from Colorado School of Mines.


This list shows four-year college offers received by seniors throughout the state.  It's not limited to just 6A and 5A.  It will be constantly updated as we approach the early signing period from December 19-21 and National Signing Day on February 6, 2019.  The three days in December will be the first time that high school players from this class can sign a letter of intent to agree to attend an institution.

Verbal commitments are shown in bold.


CLASS OF 2019 OFFERS

Jay Anderson - Sunrise Mountain (WR):  Simpson

Anthodius Ashley - Fairfax (RB):  Ottawa

Brandon Babcock - Casteel (OT):  Army, Brown, Columbia, Howard, Idaho, Liberty, Montana, Northern Arizona, Washburn, Yale

Noah Barta - Skyline (OG):  Minot State

Travis Beckman - Perry (DT):  Northern Arizona

Andrew Blitzke - Cesar Chavez (LB):  Army, Northern Arizona

Trenton Bourguet - Marana (QB):  Carroll

Zach Bowers - Chandler (LB):  Air Force, Army, Brown, Dartmouth, HAWAII, Nevada, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, Penn, South Dakota State, Syracuse

Spencer Brasch - Higley (QB):  CALIFORNIA, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Hawaii, Idaho, Liberty, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina State, Northern Arizona, San Jose State, SMU, Syracuse, UC Davis, UNLV, Vanderbilt

DeCarlos Brooks - Chandler (RB):  Air Force, Army, California, Memphis, Oregon State, Yale

Cameron Brown - Casteel (SS):  Mary, Penn, San Diego

Oliver Carras - Chaparral (DE):  Mary, South Dakota State, Southeast Missouri

Avery Carrington - Chandler (FS):  Army, Liberty, NEVADA, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona

T.J. Cephers - Marana (LB):  Carroll, Langston

Casey Clanton - Central (TE):  Air Force, Hawaii, Kansas, Navy, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Ohio, UC Davis, UNLV

Kieran Clark - Centennial (CB):  Hawaii, Nevada, Northern Arizona, South Dakota State, Wyoming

Jacob Conover - Chandler (QB):  Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Memphis, Mississippi, Nevada, Northwestern, Oregon State, South Carolina, Utah State, Washington State

Anthonie Cooper - Millennium (DT/OG):  Northern Arizona, South Dakota State

Braxten Croteau - Liberty (DE):  Air Force, Army, CALIFORNIA, Memphis, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, Utah State, Washington State

Gunner Cruz - Casteel (QB):  Arizona State, Baylor, Brown, Cincinnati, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Louisiana, Northern Arizona, Princeton, San Jose State, SMU, South Dakota State, Syracuse, UNLV, WASHINGTON STATE, Yale

Shaq Daniels - Red Mountain (CB):  Liberty

Anthony Dedrick - Mountain Pointe (DE/TE):  New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, South Dakota State

Roman DeWys - Basha (OT):  ARIZONA STATE

Jonathon Durand - Basha (OG):  Army, Colorado School of Mines, Princeton

Zack Enhelder - Willow Canyon (TE):  Army, Simpson

Elijah Fischer - Brophy (P):  Arizona State (preferred walk-on)

Trey Franco - Chandler (LB):  Colorado School of Mines

Keegan Freid - Sunrise Mountain (QB):  Air Force

Jackson Garcia - Brophy (K/P):  San Diego

Jacob Golden - Peoria (OT):  Air Force, BOISE STATE, Brown, Fordham, Harvard, Hawaii, Howard, Idaho, Indiana State, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, San Jose State, Simpson, Utah State, Washington State

Jordan Gourley - Goldwater (QB):  Benedictine

Demarcus Griffin - Chandler (DB):  Boise State, BYU, Colorado, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Fresno State, Illinois, Kansas, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nevada, New Mexico, Purdue, Rutgers, San Diego State, Southern Mississippi, TCU, Texas State, UCLA, UTEP, Vanderbilt

Hayden Hatten - Saguaro (TE):  Army, Brown, Columbia, Louisville, Nevada, San Diego

Hogan Hatten - Saguaro (LB):  Brown, Columbia, San Diego

Terrell Hayward - Cienega (WR):  Air Force, Army, Fordham, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, South Dakota State, UC Davis, Weber State

Parker Jacobs - Basha (DE):  San Diego

D'Shayne James - Perry (WR):  IOWA STATE, Northern Arizona

Andre Johnson - Tolleson (WR):  ARIZONA STATE, Bemidji State

Brett Johnson - Desert Vista (DT):  Arizona State, CALIFORNIA, Colorado, Florida Atlantic, Northern Arizona

Cole Johnson - Horizon (K):  Army

Hendrix Johnson - Boulder Creek (WR):  Columbia

Marqui Johnson - Saguaro (RB):  Mary

Tariq Jordan - Marana (WR):  Carroll, South Dakota State

Trevor Kauer - Campo Verde (DE):  Army, Northern Arizona

Carson Keltner - Centennial (C):  Air Force

Brandon Kron - Desert Mountain (TE):  San Diego

Francis Kumi - Red Mountain (DE):  South Dakota State

Cosmas Kwete - Central (DE):  Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, UNLV, Washington State, Wofford, Wyoming

Eloi Kwete - Central (DT):  Idaho, Massachusetts, Northern Arizona, Wofford

Devin Larsen - Queen Creek (QB):  Idaho

Brayden Liebrock - Chandler (TE):  Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, California, Colorado, Iowa State, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Oregon State, TEXAS, USC, Utah, Vanderbilt

Jose Lugo - Catalina (DE):  South Dakota State

Logan Maxwell - Higley (DE):  Memphis, Northern Arizona, South Dakota State, Syracuse, Utah State

Craig McFarland - Chaparral (OT):  Air Force, Kent State, Montana, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Utah State

Jakim McKinney - Mountain Pointe (RB):  Mary

Austin McNamara - Highland (K/P):  Arizona, Arizona State, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah State

Dez Melton - Deer Valley (RB):  Arizona, Arizona State, Iowa State, Nebraska, Northern Arizona

Jordan Morgan - Marana (OT):  ARIZONA, Northern Arizona, South Dakota State

Adam Morris - Chandler (DE):  Mary

Oscar Mosqueda - Arcadia (OT):  Howard

Cole Motes - Thatcher (TE/DE):  UTAH STATE, Western New Mexico

Zach Nelson - Casteel (WR):  Mary

Jelani Newman - Saguaro (OG):  Arkansas-Pine Bluff, San Jose State, UNLV

Daniel Obarski - Hamilton (K):  Air Force, Army, Purdue

Kyle Ostendorp - Desert Vista (P):  ARIZONA

Mario Padilla - Salpointe (RB):  Howard

Kyle Patterson - Perry (TE):  Air Force, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, South Dakota State, Syracuse, UC Davis

Ricky Pearsall - Corona del Sol (WR):  Air Force, ARIZONA STATE, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, South Dakota State, UC Davis

Jadon Pearson - Williams Field (FS):  Air Force, Army, Montana State, Navy, Northern Arizona, Vanderbilt

Josh Pena - Chandler (OT):  Air Force, Army, Memphis, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Utah State

Eli Pittman - Liberty (CB):  Bemidji State

Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson - Mountain Pointe (CB):  Colorado, Florida, Iowa State, Missouri, Nebraska, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah

Noa Pola-Gates - Williams Field (S):  Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Iowa State, Louisville, Memphis, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Texas, USC, Utah, Utah State, Washington

Matthew Pola-Mao - Chandler (DT):  Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Illinois, Louisville, Michigan, Oregon, Oregon State, Tennessee, USC, Utah, Washington

Nate Polk - Saguaro (S):  Air Force, Arizona, Louisville, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah

Juwaun Price - Peoria (RB):  Idaho, Northern Arizona

Ryan Puskas - Liberty (S):  Air Force, Army, CALIFORNIA, Memphis, Northern Arizona, South Dakota State, Utah State

Clayton Randall - Saguaro (LB):  Air Force, Hawaii, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nevada, Northern Arizona

Alex Randle - Red Mountain (DT):  Mary, Sioux Falls

Spencer Rattler - Pinnacle (QB):  Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Kentucky, Memphis, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Notre Dame, OKLAHOMA, Oregon State, Syracuse, Tennesee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Utah

Kain Ream - Thunderbird (WR):  Simpson

Seth Robinson - Saguaro (LB):  Arizona, Iowa State, Louisville, Northern Arizona, UNLV

Ty Robinson - Higley (DE):  Air Force, Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa State, Louisville, Memphis, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Syracuse, Texas A&M, USC, Utah, Washington

Brayden Rohme - Perry (OT):  Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Central Florida, Colorado, Iowa State, Nebraska, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Washington State, Yale

Max Sandlin - Chandler (LB):  Air Force, Army, Navy, South Dakota State

Brandon Schenks - Hamilton (WR):  Air Force, Army, Navy

Cooper Schmidt - Desert Ridge (QB):  Arizona Christian

Zack Shepherd - Williams Field (QB):  Brown

Brandon Shivers - Saguaro (CB):  Arizona, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, SAN DIEGO STATE, SMU, Syracuse, UNLV, Utah

Nassir Sims - Desert Edge (DT):  Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, Syracuse, Washington State, Wyoming

Kedon Slovis - Desert Mountain (QB):  Colorado State, Hawaii, New Mexico State, North Carolina State, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, SMU, UC Davis, UNLV, USC, Vanderbilt

Jake Smith - Notre Dame (WR):  Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, California, Clemson, Duke, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Liberty, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Nevada, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, TEXAS, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin

Connor Soelle - Saguaro (LB):  ARIZONA STATE, Army, Nevada, New Mexico State, SMU, Vanderbilt

Jeiel Stark - Centennial (CB/WR):  Trinity (Tex.)

Rascheed Sterling - Goldwater (CB):  Northern Arizona

Jayden Swink - Saguaro (DT):  Army, Mary

Alphonso Taylor - North Canyon (SS):  Army, South Dakota State

Daniel To'oto'o - Skyline (DE):  Northern Arizona, South Dakota State

Bralen Trice - O'Connor (DE):  Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Illinois, Notre Dame, Oregon, TCU, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State

Torren Union - Marcos de Niza (CB):  South Dakota State

Khyheem Waleed - Casteel (WR):  Air Force, Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Iowa State, Michigan State, Northern Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, SMU, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Yale

Nick Wallerstedt - Mountain Pointe (QB):  Air Force

Jathan Washington - Mountain Pointe (SB):  Ottawa, Western New Mexico

Thomas Webb, Jr. - Cienega (SS):  Oklahoma Baptist

Carter Wheat - Red Mountain (TE):  BYU

Marques White - Brophy (SS):  Army, South Dakota State

Titan Widjaja - Verrado (QB):  Mount Union

Jalen Williams - Shadow Mountain (WR/LB):  Arizona, Arizona State, Fresno State, Iowa State, Nevada, Oregon State, Rice, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah, Washington State

Javin Wright - Hamilton (CB):  Air Force, Arizona, Arizona State, Louisville, Nebraska, Syracuse, UCLA, Washington, Yale

Lucas Wright - Desert Ridge (RB):  San Diego
 


2019 Arizona HS Football Commitments

Tolleson WR Johnson commits to Arizona State

UPDATED:  6/25/18

Last year, Arizona State was criticized for its negligence in letting many star players within the state get away to other schools for college.  This new coaching regime is getting the word out. . . and prospects are listening.

Tolleson wide receiver Andre Johnson became the fourth player from the Valley to commit to the Sun Devils when he made his announcement on Monday afternoon.  In the Class of 2018, just one Arizona high school player (Safford's Ralph Frias) obtained a scholarship from ASU.

"The coaches are amazing and very respectable," Johnson said in a text message.  "The facilities and campus are all the best I've seen as well.  And there's the fact that it's here at home, too."

Johnson is a tall target at 6-3 and 180 pounds.  He averaged almost 20 yards per catch for the Wolverines last year finishing with 642 yards and seven touchdowns.  He earned his offer from the Devils on June 5 following a spectacular performance in 7-on-7 play in which ASU coaches had a chance to see him up close.  They were not only impressed with his size, but his athleticism and speed.
 

The University of Nevada has been doing work this summer.  Over the past two week, the Wolf Pack have welcomed in 16 official visitors.

It paid dividends on Sunday night when Chandler free safety Avery Carrington announced his commitment to the Mountain West school in Reno.  He is the seventh to commit to Nevada in this class, and first from Arizona.

Carrington, who is 6-3 and 195 pounds, led the Wolves in tackles last year with 85 in his first year with CHS after transferring from Hamilton.  He selected Nevada following an official visit over the weekend and chose the Pack over offers from Army, Liberty, New Mexico State, and Northern Arizona.  Carrington also picked off three passes last season.

The switch to Chandler involved expanding his knowledge as the Wolves primarily run man coverage instead of zone.

This offseason, Carrington attended the Nike Opening regional in Los Angeles and also the Adidas Three-Stripe Camp.  He is the fourth Chandler HS senior to commit to a four-year college.

Nevada had its second-highest draft pick in school history last April as offensive lineman Austin Corbett was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round (33rd overall).  The Wolf Pack (3-9 last season) will face two Power Five schools in consecutive weeks as they travel to Vanderbilt on Sept. 8 and then host Oregon State the following Saturday.  Nevada will be featured on television six times in 2018; four games on the ESPN Family of Networks and two on CBS Sports Network.
 

Last week, Saguaro linebacker Connor Soelle gave his commitment to Arizona State.

Soelle, who is 6-1 and 195 pounds, had 132 tackles, five interceptions, four sacks, and three forced fumbles on a Sabercat team that went 12-2 and won its fifth consecutive state championship in 2017.  He was offered by new ASU head coach Herm Edwards in January.

"A lot of it had to do with being close to family and playing with my brother," Soelle said in a text message.  "I fit the defensive scheme really well and it just felt like the right place for me."

Soelle's older brother Kyle (also a linebacker) signed with Arizona State in February of 2017.  It is expected that Connor will be groomed for a new position under this staff called the "Tillman backer" which is a hybrid of a safety and a linebacker.

Soelle selected the Sun Devils over offers from Army, Nevada, New Mexico State, SMU, and Vanderbilt.

Another local product at ASU, N'Keal Harry, was named by Athlon Sports to its preseason second team All-American.  Harry, a Chandler graduate, had 82 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns last year.  Sun Devil Stadium is reinvented this year with changes that include a wider east side concourse with more concessions and restrooms, a new lower bowl with three additional seating sections, and a new Southeast plaza and Northeast grand staircase.  Arizona State will play its first two games there in 2018 with night contests against UTSA (Sept. 1) and Michigan State (Sept. 8).


Following a visit to the Islands a couple weeks ago, Chandler linebacker Zach Bowers has found his college home.

The 6-1, 215-pounder announced his commitment to the University of Hawaii last Wednesday.  Bowers has been a two-year starter for the Wolves and ended each season as a 6A state champion.

Chandler HS has long embraced the spirit of "Ohana", or family.  Bowers felt the same spirit in Hawaii.

"I loved the family aspect of the program," Bowers said in a text message.  "It didn't matter where you were from (mainland or the islands), you were a part of a family and I felt that on my visit.  Also, the community support for UH is amazing."

With no professional sports in Hawaii, the university garners the support of practically all the residents of the 50th state.

Last year, Bowers recorded 69 tackles and had two sacks along with a pair of forced fumbles.  He received his offer from the Rainbow Warriors during Spring Ball in mid-May.  Among the other schools to offer him were Nevada, Oregon State, and a trio of Ivy League colleges (Brown, Dartmouth, and Penn).  Bowers is the third senior from CHS to commit to a college.

Bowers stayed in game shape during the offseason by playing 7-on-7 football with State Forty Eight.  The team competed in the Pylon 7on7 Nationals in Nevada back in February.

Hawaii will have its fall camp in August and will open the season on the road at Colorado State for an early Mountain West Conference game on Saturday, Aug. 25.  CBS Sports Network will have the national broadcast at 5:30 p.m. Arizona time.  The following week (Sept. 1) will be the first of seven home games at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu as Navy will take on the Rainbow Warriors.


Like Carrington, Soelle, and Bowers, Cole Motes is trying to win a third state championship for his school.

Motes is heading into his senior year at Thatcher and the Eagles claimed their second straight 2A title last November.  The 6-6, 230-pound defensive end committed on Monday to Utah State, where he attended a camp a little over a week ago.  He was offered by the Aggies immediately following the visit on June 15.

"The coaches treated me like family," Motes said in a text message.  "The facilities and the weight lifting program there are awesome.  I definitely could see myself making good decisions in Logan while focusing on football and my education."

Motes doesn't plan to enroll at USU until the fall of 2021.  The university is holding a full-ride scholarship for him after he serves a 2-year LDS mission after graduating from Thatcher.

This spring, Motes was on the school's track and field team throwing the shot put and discus.

Utah State returns 18 starters (nine each on offense and defense) from a six-win team that played in the Arizona Bowl last December.  The Aggies have a difficult opener in East Lansing on Friday, Aug. 31 against Michigan State.  Before that, on Aug. 18, USU will hold its annual Aggie Football Family Fun Day.  In addition to food, games and activities for folks of all ages, there will be a situational scrimmage where fans can get a look at the Mountain West team that starts Quin Ficklin (Red Mountain).  Ficklin is a center and was recently named to the Dave Rimington Trophy Watch List.

 


CLASS OF 2019 COMMITMENTS


ARIZONA WILDCATS

Jordan Morgan (OT) - Marana
Kyle Ostendorp (P) - Desert Vista

ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Roman DeWys (OT) - Basha
Andre Johnson (WR) - Tolleson
Ricky Pearsall (WR) - Corona del Sol
Connor Soelle (LB) - Saguaro

BOISE STATE BRONCOS

Jacob Golden (OT) - Peoria

BYU COUGARS

Jacob Conover (QB) - Chandler
Carter Wheat (TE) - Red Mountain

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS

Spencer Brasch (QB) - Higley
Braxten Croteau (DE) - Liberty
Brett Johnson (DT) - Desert Vista
Ryan Puskas (S) - Liberty

HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIORS

Zach Bowers (LB) - Chandler

IOWA STATE CYCLONES

D'Shayne James (WR) - Perry

NEVADA WOLF PACK

Avery Carrington (FS) - Chandler

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Spencer Rattler (QB) - Pinnacle

SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS

Brandon Shivers (CB) - Saguaro

TEXAS LONGHORNS

Brayden Liebrock (TE) - Chandler
Jake Smith (WR) - Notre Dame

USC TROJANS

Kedon Slovis (QB) - Desert Mountain

UTAH STATE AGGIES

Cole Motes (TE/DE) - Thatcher

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS

Gunner Cruz (QB) - Casteel