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Marcus Griffin entered 2014 National Signing Day without a commitment, and although the Arizona Wildcats appeared to be the favorite, it's never a done deal until the faxes roll through. But Rich Rodriguez and company got a big boost to a class that was already ranked top-30 in the nation on Wednesday when the 300-pound defensive lineman confirmed what most were guessing.
I Have Officially Committed To The University Of Arizona! #BearDown http://t.co/4b2KcwKimr
— ⚡️Marcus Griffin⚡️ (@TheRealMG96) February 5, 2014
Griffin, a 3-star recruit from Bellevue High School in Washington, joins a roster as one of the most physically imposing recruits in the class. Arizona's pass-rushing and run defense up front hasn't been elite in RichRod's two seasons, but Sione Tuihalamaka and Tevin Hood came on strong in their senior season last year to at least fill space.
Of course, they're graduated, leaving defensive end Reggie Gilbert as the lone returnee on the defensive line for Jeff Casteel's 3-3-5 defense. Could Griffin play right away? It's hard to say.
He's joined in the class by Santa Ana College transfer Jeff Worthy, an older transfer who began his college career at Boise State. The Wildcats are still waiting on verbal commit Sharif Williams, a 3-star prospect who is likely a 300-pound body that UA hopes becomes a rare impact player for more than a year. Sans Tuihalamaka and Gilbert, that's been hard to find since Brooks Reed and Ricky Elmore left school for the NFL.
Updated 2014 Arizona recruiting signee list
OL Levi Walton, Ida S. Baker High School
OL Kaige Lawrence, Chaffey College
LB Antonio Smother, Scottsdale Community College
CB Patrick Glover, Scottsdale Community College
WR T.J. Johnson, Milford Academy
OL Layth Friekh, Centennial High School
DT Jeff Worthy, Santa Ana/Boise State
OL Freddie Tagaloa, Cal
QB Jerrard Randall, NE Miss. Community College
RB Jonathan Haden, Friendship Collegiate Academy
DL Jerod Cody, Glendale Community College
CB Devon Brewer, Central High School (Fresno, Calif.)
TE Trevor Wood, Chaparral High School
OL Jordan Poland, La Jolla Country Day
WR Tony Ellison, Granite Bay High School
RB Nick Wilson, Central High School (Fresno, Calif.)
CB Kwesi Mashack, Vista Murrieta High School
TE Darrell Cloy, La Habra High School
QB Brandon Dawkins, Oaks Christian High School
LB Jamardre Cobb, Bishop Mora Salesian High School
DB Jace Whittaker, Oceanside High School
