Recruiting excess nothing new

Recruiting excess isn’t anything new. In 1981, mega-recruit Vance Johnson of Cholla High School was torn between attending Arizona or ASU. He told the Star he talked to ASU head coach Darryl Rogers four times on the phone the day before letters of intent were signed. That night, a Tuesday, ASU track coach Len Miller slept on the couch in Johnson’s living room. Before signing with Arizona the next morning, Johnson, who went on to be a standout receiver with the Denver Broncos and four-year Wildcat starter, told the Star “I’ve changed my mind four times and ASU is hoping they can make it five.” What sold him on the Wildcats? “ASU said I could help them, but Arizona said they needed me.” Johnson also won the 1982 NCAA long jump championship.