Saturday, Arizona will host a Junior Day for recruits, which is an event where schools host recruiting targets from the incoming class on campus.
Way back before spring football started in February — weird to say that considering it's only April — I asked Rich Rodriguez about Junior Days, where a school will host recruiting targets from the incoming class on campus.
This was his response:
"Junior days are extremely important and the unofficial visits are way more important than official visits because by the time they get to official visits they usually have their minds made up.
"So getting them on campus is important, that’s why we’re trying to encourage everybody to come to Tucson, Arizona in February, March, April, May when it’s pretty nice, especially compared to other places.
People are also reading…
"We just got to get them here. It’s not easy to get them here, but once we get them here we have great success getting them. There are a lot of things that are positive about our city and our school, but it’s a whole lot better to show them than to tell them.”
The Wildcats will begin to put that theory to the test this weekend, as they are hosting a number of recruits, including a handful from in-state, an area the UA coaching staff is trying to recruit better than in year's past.
UA commit Rhett Rodriguez, from Catalina Foothills, will be there, and Scout.com is reporting that 5-star offensive lineman Austin Jackson, from Phoenix, will be on campus, which is a big deal considering Scout rates him the No. 7 overall prospect in the nation.
Out of state, the Wildcats are bringing in 2-star defensive end Gregory Jordan from Los Angeles and unrated defensive lineman Elijah Watson from Lawrenceville, Georgia.
This isn't a complete list, but here's a look at some of the in-state players I've confirmed are coming to campus.
Note: I would not be surprised at all if somebody visiting this weekend announced a verbal commitment to Arizona.
TE Bryce Gilbert
- From: Higley HS (Gilbert)
- Height/Weight: 6-5, 230
- Rating: 3-stars, No. 55-rated tight end, No. 15 in the West, No. 3 in Ariz.
- Also considering: 8 schools, including ASU, Nebraska, Louisville, Colorado, Oregon State, San Diego State
WR Jalen Harris
- From: Desert Ridge HS (Mesa)
- Height/Weight: 6-4, 210
- Rating: 3-stars, No. 140 WR, No. 25 West, No. 3 in Ariz.
- Also considering: Oregon State, Colorado State, Iowa State, San Diego State, UNLV
ATH Drew Dixon
- From: Sabino (Tucson)
- Height/Weight: 6-4, 195
- Rating: 3-star, No. 45 athlete, No. 9 West, No. 1 Ariz.
- Also considering: Hawaii, New Mexico, San Jose State
OL Joey Ramos
- From: Deer Valley HS (Glendale)
- Height/Weight: 6-4, 272
- Rating: Unrated
- Also considering: Nebraska, Utah, UCF, Fordham, South Alabama
- Note: Ramos is a 2018 recruit.
K Brandon Ruiz
- From: Williams Field HS (Gilbert)
- Height/Weight: 5-10, 170
- Rating: Unrated
