Arizona football fans were hit in the gut a couple of months ago when we heard that our basketball teams commit T.J. Leaf uncommitted from Arizona.
Arizona Wildcats fans might still feel their wounds have not healed from T.J. Leaf’s stinging tweet when he de-committed from Arizona and opened his recruitment once again. We all wanted what’s best for Leaf, but quite honestly it hurt.
College recruiting has changed a lot in recent years. Going to play football in Junior College seems to be a smart idea for players who want to get some more experience and to build up their size and stature.
Just last week we found out on Twitter that Alabama has offered a JUCO defensive end and Arizona football commit Josh ‘Jay Jay’ Allen.
Josh Allen @2LiveStokess @ Long Beach City JuCo @VGOH_1 + Arizona Commit @ArizonaFBall picks up Alabama Offer pic.twitter.com/3ornqNtnGU
— JuCo Football Forer (@JuCoFootballACE) September 8, 2015
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- Arizona Football gains commitment from 3* Safety, Turran Williams
- Oregon Tight End Charlie Crowell commits to Arizona Football
- Bay Area lineman Justin Hylkema commits to Arizona Football
Rich Rod found another JUCO gem in California who from all accounts feels very much at home with his future coaches and is committed to be a Wildcat. It seems coaches from around the NCAA are watching him carefully.
Offered by Oregon, USC, Boise State, Washington state, and nine or so other schools, Josh committed to Arizona on July 15th, just two months ago. Allen attended high school in Torrance California and took his talents to a local junior college, Long Beach City College (LBCC), to start his football career.
At LBCC, in his 2014 debut season, he racked up 58 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and seven quarterback sacks. Allen stands 6-4 and weight 260. Okay, who wouldn’t want this athlete on their team?
Gabe Encinas of AZDesertSwarm.com spoke to Allen: ‘He had told me that he will be enrolling early this spring , and will not play at Long Beach CC this season, giving him three years of eligibility.’
Brad Allis of CBSSports.com explains further, ‘The original plan was to have three years to play two seasons, but by essentially redshirting this year, he will gain an additional year of eligibility with the Wildcats. He will enroll at Arizona in January and will be able to participate in spring ball.’
has the latest information on Allen. According to Biggins, Allen’s Mom wants him to make the trip to Alabama. Can you blame her? How could anyone pass up the experience of being courted by Alabama?
The worst thing that could happen is that he doesn’t go on the visit, and then he spends the next semester regretting it. If I am Coach Rich Rodriguez, I would only want fully committed players, pure red and blue Wildcats. Wouldn’t you agree?
I am not too worried as a fan. I think he’ll go, come back, ponder it all for a quick minute or two, talk to Arizona’s coaching staff and will reconfirm his commitment to the University of Arizona. After all, Arizona competes in one of the most exciting and competitive divisions in the NCAA, the Pac-12 South.
https://twitter.com/2LiveStokess/status/640210322893074433
Lately, Arizona’s football players have not had a ton of luck making it in the NFL although they are getting chances to make rosters. I would attribute this to the transition between the Coach Stoops and Coach Rodriguez era. I have a feeling that things are going to change for Wildcats in the coming years, but Alabama can already boast about their NFL successes.
According to ESPN, Alabama has roughly 45 of their former players working professionally in the NFL; Amari Cooper, Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, T.J. Yeldon and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix just to name a few. In comparison, Arizona has nine NFL Players listed.
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As ZonaZealots always say, Josh has to do what is right for him and his family. Let’s hope his heart is still with the Wildcats. He can start the trend of Wildcats getting attention in the NCAA and the NFL. One thing is for sure; he won’t be disappointed in our fans. Arizona Wildcats fans are faithful to their players; once you are a Wildcat, you are a Wildcat for life!
You can follow him on Twitter at @2LiveStokess.
Beardown Josh!