2005 UA football commitments   ● Verbal commitments are nonbinding until National Signing Day, Feb. 2:   Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown   Eben Britton OL 6-6 280 Burbank, Calif.   JerMichael Finley TE 6-4 210 Diboll, Texas   Mark Green LB 5-11 230 Dallas   Corey Hall DB 5-10 178 DeSoto, Texas   Xavier Kelley LB 6-0 195 Denton, Texas   Terry Longbons RB 5-11 211 Peoria   Jordan Lowe OL 6-4 305 Peoria   Anthony Sapa DT 6-5 310 Riverside, Calif.   Xavier Smith RB 6-0 205 Tucson   Michael Thomas WR 6-0 170 DeSoto, Texas   Willie Tuitama QB 6-2 212 Stockton, Calif.

Arizona added its 11th commitment of the young recruiting season Monday with the verbal pledge of Texas linebacker Xavier Kelley. Kelley, a 6-foot, 195-pound prospect from Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, picked the Wildcats over Nebraska, notifying UA coach Mike Stoops of his decision. "I just got off the phone with coach Stoops, and he told me he can't wait for me to get out there," Kelley said. Kelley is rated as the No. 49 player in the state by Rivals recruiting service. He plans to visit Tucson on Sept. 17 for his only scheduled visit. "He's a can't-miss prospect," Ryan coach Joey Florence said. "They got a great one." In 16 games last season for the 4A state runners-up, Kelley was credited with 98 tackles and 15 quarterback sacks from his defensive end spot. He has started the last 32 games for Ryan, which won 4A state titles his freshman and sophomore years. He chose Arizona for its location and the new coaching staff. "I got the impression that coach Stoops is a great guy and a good coach to play for," explained Kelley, who was recruited by UA assistant coach Joe Robinson. "Coach Stoops did a great job at Oklahoma," Kelley said. Florence said Kelley is the complete package of academics, football smarts, athletic ability and character. "He smiles all the time, and that's infectious," Florence added. "Plus, he's a phenomenal athlete. He's the real deal." Kelley is the Cats' fourth verbal commitment in the past two weeks, joining running backs Xavier Smith (Sunnyside High) and Terry Longbons (Peoria Centennial High) and Centennial offensive lineman Jordan Lowe. Arizona also has pledges from offensive lineman Eben Britton, (Burbank, Calif.) tight end JerMichael Finley (Diboll, Texas), quarterback Willie Tuitama (Stockton, Calif.), defensive tackle Anthony Sapa (Riverside Community College), linebacker Mark Green (Dallas), defensive back Corey Hall and receiver Michael Thomas (both from DeSoto, Texas). Verbal commitments are nonbinding until national signing day in February. 2005 UA football commitments

 

● Verbal commitments are nonbinding until National Signing Day, Feb. 2: Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown

 

Eben Britton OL 6-6 280 Burbank, Calif. JerMichael Finley TE 6-4 210 Diboll, Texas Mark Green LB 5-11 230 Dallas Corey Hall DB 5-10 178 DeSoto, Texas Xavier Kelley LB 6-0 195 Denton, Texas Terry Longbons RB 5-11 211 Peoria Jordan Lowe OL 6-4 305 Peoria Anthony Sapa DT 6-5 310 Riverside, Calif. Xavier Smith RB 6-0 205 Tucson Michael Thomas WR 6-0 170 DeSoto, Texas Willie Tuitama QB 6-2 212 Stockton, Calif.