Arizona has become a happy hunting ground for college football recruiters. A perfect example of the explosion of talent in the Grand Canyon State will be on display at 7pm MT /10pm ET Friday night when Saguaro battles Chaparral in a game on Yurview Arizona.
The game features more than 20 Division-I prospects, including Arizona’s best prospects overall in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes. Here’s a look at some of the players that are household names to recruiting fans across the country.
Watch Saguaro vs. Chaparral, Friday, Sept. 20th at 7:00pm MT/10:00pm ET – YurView Arizona (Cox Ch. 4 – Phoenix, Ch. 7 – Tucson) and live stream.
KELEE RINGO Saguaro SR / ATH / 6-2, 205 Ranking: *****
Remember EA Sports’ NCAA football game where you could create a 6-foot-2, 200-pound cornerback with 90-something speed? That’s Kelee Ringo. Ringo has been a well-known commodity to high school football fans in Arizona for years, and now he’s one of the nation’s most coveted recruits. Most national recruiting services rank Ringo among the top 10 recruits in the country, and he has the offer list to back up the lofty status. Ringo has more than 35 scholarship offers with Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas and USC among his top schools.
JACOBE COVINGTON Saguaro SR / CB / 6-1, 193 Ranking: ****
A lot of the national attention has been focused on Ringo, but savvy recruiters know Covington is one of the most versatile high school football players in the country. His playmaking ability will translate perfectly to the next level, which is why he had more than 20 offers before he committed to Washington. Covington is one of the top overall prospects in UDub’s class and recruiters at Washington believe he has a great opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Huskies.
DAMIAN SELLERS Saguaro SR / LB / 6-4, 235 Ranking: ****
On any other team in America, Sellers would be easily the team’s most highly recruited prospect. But Saguaro is so loaded with talent that Sellers is considered only the third best senior defensive prospect on the roster. But don’t let that fool you, because he’s special. Recruiters say Sellers jumps off film right away with a heat-seeking missile mentality at linebacker. He’s got LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and UCLA in his top group.
JACK MILLER Chaparral SR / QB / 6-4, 210 Ranking: ****
While most of the nation was focused on five-star quarterback Spencer Rattler out of Arizona in 2018, Miller mowed over defenses and built a recruiting resume that rivaled anybody in the country. Unfortunately, he was sidelined with a knee injury late in the season and missed the 6A state playoffs. Miller was also held out of last week’s game was an unknown injury, but most assume he’ll be back Friday night. Those injury questions have lowered his stock with some recruiting services, but college coaches didn’t mind. He had plenty of offers before committing to Ohio State and now he’s out to prove he’s the top-ranked quarterback in the country with his rocket arm, quality decision making and big-play ability.
TOMMY CHRISTAKOS Chaparral SR / WR / 6-4, 215 Ranking: ***
Christakos is Miller’s security blanket and is known as a reliable pass-catcher who makes plays in traffic. His frame could allow him to also develop into a flex tight end later down the road in college and beyond. Christakos had nearly 20 scholarship offers, including from quality programs like Nebraska and Arizona State, before he committed to Cal. Christakos missed two games this season with injuries but is expected back against Saguaro.
QUINTIN SOMERVILLE Saguaro JR / DE / 6-3, 230 Ranking: ****
Somerville is ranked as one of the top 70 juniors in America and the No. 5 strongside defensive end by 247Sports. Recruiters love that Somerville is well built at around 230 pounds and is known as an athletic pass-rusher with good lateral movement. Coaches think he has the potential to be a multi-year Power Five starter and future NFL draft high-round selection. With that type of resume, it’s no shock schools like Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, LSU, Nebraska and Ohio State have already offered him.
BRAM WALDEN Saguaro JR / OT / 6-4, 270 Ranking: ****
Walden has a huge upside with a lean frame that is built to add good weight when he moves on to the next level. Recruiters love that he’s a balanced blocker with athleticism and mobility. He already has racked up more than 15 scholarship offers with Oregon believed to be the early favorite for his commitment. Other schools like Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Colorado, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, USC and Utah have offered.
DENZEL BURKE Saguaro JR / ATH / 6-0, 190 Ranking: ****
When asked to describe Burke a Pac 12 recruiter used only one word – “dynamic.” Burke is still filling into a long and lean frame, but he has sprinter’s speed and explosive playmaker’s mentality. His ability to score every time he touches the ball makes him a threat on special teams on the next level, too. Burke hasn’t tipped his hand on his college favorites yet, but he has offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, LSU and Nebraska.
Another one for @TylerBeverett. His third of the day this time he finds @ShawnMiller__.
28-6 Saguaro. 2:44 left in 2nd quarter. pic.twitter.com/aSTqBdmU4r
— Zack Poff (@Zack_Poff_MP) September 8, 2019
SHAWN MILLER Saguaro SO / WR / 6-1, 180 Ranking: ****
Miller already has offers from Arizona and Arizona State and is another example of the bevy of talent at Saguaro. Miller has already made plenty of big plays in 2019, including a 65-yard touchdown reception last week.
WILL SHAFFER Saguaro SR / LB / 6-1, 210 Ranking: ***
Shaffer is a strong and explosive defender and college recruiters compliment him for his instincts and nose for the football. He was an early recruiting victory for Arizona State coach Herm Edwards, as he committed to the Sun Devils over offers from five other schools.
Watch Saguaro vs. Chaparral, Friday, Sept. 20th at 7:00pm MT/10:00pm ET – YurView Arizona (Cox Ch. 4 – Phoenix, Ch. 7 – Tucson) and live stream.
