ESPN.com revealed its top 150 recruits for the 2013 class on Tuesday. Of Rich Rodriguez's verbal commitments received thus far, none are ranked on the list. However, UA is in pursuit of several prospects.
Rodriguez's first signing class covered eight different states. The new head coach stressed the importance of winning recruiting battles at home before focusing elsewhere, and the Wildcats are in the fray for the most coveted target from the Grand Canyon State.
Of course, the offer Marcos De Niza High safety Priest Willis has to UA is just one of 29 for the supreme talent. Willis has offers from across the Pac-12, as well as Big Ten programs (Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State), the ACC (Florida State and North Carolina) and the SEC (Arkansas and Texas A&M, among others). Notre Dame is also in the mix. Brian Kelly edged out UA and Rodriguez for the most sought after Arizona prospect of the 2012 class, Chaparral High's Davonte Neal.
As it had with Neal, UA has a commitment from one of Willis's high school teammates. The Wildcats received a verbal commitment from MDNHS running back Mauriece Lee last week, but Willis told The Arizona Republic his teammate's decision is a "non-factor."
After the jump are the prospects with offers from Rodriguez and his staff.
No. 4 Vernon Hargreaves III, CB (Wharton High/Tampa, FL)
The son of USF special teams coordinator Vernon Hargreaves, the highly touted defensive back has a slew of offers including UA's. Rodriguez's strategy at West Virginia included in-roads to Florida, a philosophy that has followed to Tucson. No signing from the Sunshine State would be more significant, but this one is likely a pipedream.
No. 15 Su'a Craves, S (Vista High/Murrieta, CA)
Former USC standout linebacker Chris Clairborne lauded Su'a Craves' abilities to ESPN.com last month.
"A baller," said Clairborne, who coaches Cravens' 7-on-7 team. "He thinks ahead of each play. When the play is going on you can already see him think about the next move, and he always goes up and gets the ball. That's a big thing you see at the next level. A lot of guys are fast, but when you have a knack to make plays, that's what makes you special."
No. 31 Max Redfield, ATH (Mission Viejo High/CA)
No. 56 Eddie Vanderdoes, DT (Placer High/Auburn, CA)
No. 57 Michael Hutchings, LB (De La Salle High/Concord, CA)
One of Michael Hutchings' first offers came from Cal via Tosh Lupoi. Lupoi's departure from Cal to Washington just before National Signing Day caused waves in the conference, and helped the Huskies win defensive back Shaq Thompson. UW is indeed among the litany of Pac-12 schools interested in Hutchings, along with UA.
No. 68 Ty Isaac, RB (Joliet Catholic Academy/Joliet, IL)
I had the opportunity to cover Ty Isaac at a prospect camp in Southern California. He's a big back, listed at a conservative 6-foot-2. His size and great hands would make him a great wide receiver, but he's too valuable at running back.
No. 72 Ethan Pocic, OT (Lemont High/IL)
No. 85 Justin Manning, DT (Justin F. Kimball High/Dallas, TX)
No. 120 Joe Mathis, DE (Upland High/CA)
CBS Sports recruiting reporter Bryan Fischer spotlighted Mathis' performance at this month's adidas Invitational in Ann Arbor. Mathis spoke highly of visiting Michigan's Big House.
No. 128 Tahaan Goodman, S (Rancho Cucamonga High/CA)
No. 138 Mike Mitchell, LB (Prestonwood Christian Academy/Plano, TX)
No. 144 Tyler Boyd, ATH (Clairton High/PA)
No. 149 Sebastian Larue, WR (Santa Monica High/CA)