Arizona Football: Grading the 2016 Recruiting Class

Following the excitement of National Signing Day, we breakdown the Class.

It has been a couple days, and the dust, following a busy National Signing day has now settled. Let us take a look at the 2016 Recruiting Season, where we will breakdown and analyze the Wildcats’ class.

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Arizona took 20 recruits for the class of 2016, that number doesn’t include the grey shirts from the 2015 class either. On paper, most people would assume this class is rather unsatisfying. Arizona’s class currently ranks 9th in the Pac-12, and in the 40s Nationally from just about every major recruiting site. So the numbers probably are not too exciting from the fans’ perspective.

The Wildcats average star rating (a system which grades a player on their talent, and potential impact on their respective team) of 3.0, would have them tied with Utah, for 7th in Conference, according to Scout.com.

Typical of most Arizona classes, this group of recruits certainly lacks the ‘star-studedness’ of that of a UCLA or USC, however the talent and potential is there. If there is anything this staff does really well, it is finding raw talent, and utilizing them beyond their projected potential.

Arizona has never really had those ‘Big-Name’ players, but as Head Coach Rich Rodriguez has adopted over the years, it is the ‘Our Kinda Guy’ (OKG) mantra. OKG is a player that works hard, typically isn’t that of a coveted blue-chip player, buys into the system, and embodies the hard-edge mentality that is Arizona Football.

Rich Rodriguez Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

As it stands, Arizona signed three 4-star players; Offensive Guard Michael Eletise, Safety Chacho Ulloa, and perhaps the prized recruit of the entire class, Dual-Threat Quarterback Khalil Tate. The majority of the rest are 3-stars, and the class consists of two 2-stars.

Don’t forget, Arizona brings in 2014 All-Conference Linebacker and transfer, Michael Barton for one season, who doesn’t show up on the commit list. The Wildcats also bring in Keenan Walker, the 4* Offensive Tackle that grey-shirted in 2015 due to a knee injury sustained while a Senior in High School, 3* Defensive Back Antonio Parks, and 3* Tight End Jamie Nunley, along with a few others from that 2015 class.

Arizona addressed quite a few of their needs in this class. They needed a big receiver, following then junior Cayleb Jones early entry into the NFL. Done! Insert Junior College transfer Shawn Poindexter, he is a bit raw, but the potential and athleticism is there. Arizona needed linebackers. A position plagued with injuries in 2015, and defensive captain Scooby Wright III is now gone. Done! Insert Jalen Cochran, Jacob Colacion, and Kahi Neves.

Overall, I would have to give this class a B-. Certainly not a ” great class”, but definitely not terrible, and I think a bit better than advertised. The new defensive staff got a late start, and considering the changes we went through, securing commitments from guys like Cochran, Chacho Ulloa, Josh Allen and Kahi Neves are great late additions to the class.

People focus too much on the star ratings, and ultimately, it’s not the end-all-be-all for grading players. It certainly does have its uses, and you’ll find more often than not the higher rated players are getting to the NFL with more consistency, but those said players also aren’t playing for NAU either.

The real test will be three-to-four years from now, when these guys have had a chance to develop, but I think this class will be better than advertised. There are some really talented players, and some didn’t quite get the national recognition they deserve.

Listen to Coach Rodriguez give his thoughts regarding the Class!

Related Story: Arizona Football: Chacho Chooses Arizona much to the Delight of Wildcats fans

Bear Down Arizona!

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