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Arizona football recruiting: Wildcats coaching staff made decision easy for Florida-based Armani Adams

Jahmile Addae’s relationship with Adams was key

Armani Adams at the Nike Football The Opening Orlando.
Student Sports

The Arizona Wildcats landed their first commitment from Florida about a week ago. Armani Adams, 3-star safety from Lakewood High School (St. Petersburg, FL), had a great relationship with his future position coach and that is a huge reason he decided to commit.

“The coach that was recruiting me (Jahmile Addae), he’s my position coach as well,” Adams said. “That was big because I will be playing for him.”

“He really liked me and we started talking everyday,” Adams continued. “Not just about football but other things that are going on.”

In the Rich Rodriguez era, the Wildcats have made it a point to make headway in Florida. Addae, who is from the Tampa area, has been spearheading the effort in the Sunshine State.

“He’s from the same area where I’m from so there is a connection there,” Adams said of his future position coach.

Adams likes that Arizona is looking to bring him in at safety instead of cornerback. But the relationship with the staff and position aren’t the only things that Adams likes about the Wildcats.

“I will like Arizona because I’ll be moving out of state and I want to go to college out of the state,” the future Wildcat explained. “I won’t get distracted easily like if I were to go to a school in-state where I know a lot of people. So I’m looking forward to meeting new people and doing new things.”

“Also Coach Rodriguez has a great history of winning so he knows how to win,” Adams said about the UA’s head coach. “I feel he’s someone I’d like to play for in the near future.”

Adams committed to the ‘Cats sight unseen. But he is looking to take a visit this upcoming month and is ready to see Tucson.

“I’m taking a visit sometime around July 21st,” Adams explained. “I’m just excited to see the school and the surroundings. I’ve never been out west so it’ll be a fun experience to get to see new things. I also want to see the facilities just as much as the school.”

Academically, Adams has a few things he is looking at as a major. A recent class addition, sport analytics, will help Adams during his pursuit of his degree.

“I would like to be a sports trainer, sports agent, or sports attorney. Something to do with sports.”

In ten games as a high school junior, Adams picked up 76 total tackles, 14 for loss. He also had three sacks, three interceptions, and five pass deflections.

You can check out some of his highlights from last season here.


2018 Arizona football commits

Name Position Position Ranking Rating Height Weight High School City
Name Position Position Ranking Rating Height Weight High School City
Armani Adams S 117 *** 6-0 190 Lakewood St. Petersburg, FL
Tre Adams WR 182 *** 6-3 190 Wakeland Frisco, TX
McKenzie Barnes CB 123 *** 6-2 170 Edison Fresno, CA
Jailen Bailey WR 278 *** 5-10 180 Lincoln San Diego, CA
Steven Bailey OG 39 *** 6-3 290 Centennial (Glendale CC) Peoria, AZ
Jaiden Dockery S 95 *** 6-0 195 Lancaster Lancaster, TX
Jhevon Hill ATH 66 *** 6-3 185 Cajon San Bernardino, CA
Martell Irby RB 101 *** 5-10 200 Morse San Diego, CA
Mykee Irving DT 42 *** 6-4 330 Calabasas Calabasas, CA
Issaiah Johnson ILB 36 *** 6-3 220 Los Alamitos Los Alamitos, CA
Jamarye Joiner QB (Dual Threat) 24 *** 6-3 205 Cienega Vail, AZ
Donovan Laie OT 102 *** 6-6 315 Oceanside Oceanside, CA
Thomas Marcus WR 171 *** 6-4 185 San Diego San Diego, CA
Jaden Mitchell WR 193 *** 6-0 180 Desert Pines Las Vegas, NV
Jake Peters TE 62 *** 6-5 240 Santa Margarita Catholic Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Adam Plant WDE 48 *** 6-5 245 Bishop Gorman Las Vegas, NV
Darrius Smith RB 119 *** 5-10 175 Dawson Pearland, TX
David Watson OT 117 *** 6-6 300 Amphitheater Tucson, AZ
Zach Williams WR 211 *** 6-3 205 Jones Creek Alpharetta, GA
Christian Young S 60 *** 6-1 201 Foster Richmond, TX