Arizona Pushes 2017 Class to 26 with Mater Dei DT Austin Faoliu
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Wildcats have pushed their 2017 recruiting class back to 26 players with the verbal commitment of California defensive tackle Austin Faoliu on Wednesday.
Arizona added another talent with a winning pedigree from arguably the best high school conference in the U.S., the Trinity League. Faoliu is an anchor for the Monarchs in the trenches helping his squad to a 5-0 start this season racing to a No. 3 ranking in the nation per MaxPreps.
On a team filled with top next level talent, Faoliu has registered 13 tackles so far this season notching 4.5 tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery despite limited field time due to lopsided victories.
The big tackle, listed anywhere from 6-3, 285, to 6-4, 295, had reported offers from Navy, Colorado State, and Hawaii. Faoliu posted his commitment on Twitter then added another heartfelt statement after thanking friends and family for their support along the way.
The Wildcats have the No. 19 overall ranked recruiting class per 247Sports and the No. 2 haul in the Pac-12.
Arizona Wildcats 2017 Verbal Commitment List (26)
SS Xavier Bell, 6-2, 185, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, CA
SS Rhedi Short, 6-1, 185, Cathedral HS, Los Angeles, CA
SS Scott Young, 6-0, 190, Helix HS, La Mesa, CA
SS Troy Young, 6-1, 190, Mobile Christian HS, Mobile, AL
CB Malik Hausman, 5-11, 168, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV
LB Bryce Brand, 6-1, 235, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
LB Joshua Brown, 6-2, 222, Long Beach Poly, Long Beach, CA
LB Delshawn Phillips, 6-1, 215, Garden City C.C., Garden City, KS
DT Kurtis Brown, 6-3, 260, Liberty HS, Bakersfield, CA
DT Austin Faoliu, 6-3, 285, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, CA
DE Matt Leo, 6-7, 265, Arizona Wester C.C., Yuma, AZ
DE Kylan Wilborn, 6-2, 236, Notre Dame HS, Sherman Oaks, CA
OT Edgar Burrola, 6-6, 295, Desert Pines HS, Las Vegas, NV
OT Cody Shear, 6-4, 285, Sheldon HS, Eugene, OR
TE Bryce Wolma, 6-4, 235, Saline HS, Saline, MI
RB Nathan Tilford, 6-2, 190, Upland HS, Upland, CA
QB Braxton Burmeister, 6-0, 211, Country Day, La Jolla, CA
QB Rhett Rodriguez, 6-0, 190, Catalina Foothills HS, Tucson, AZ
WR Brian Casteel, 6-0, 190, Charter Oak HS, Covina, CA
WR Bryce Gilbert, 6-5, 230, Higley HS, Gilbert, AZ
WR/DE Jalen Harris, 6-3, 210, Desert Ridge HS, Mesa, AZ
WR Warren Jackson, 6-5.5, 185, Bishop Alemany, Mission Hills, CA
ATH Drew Dixon, 6-4, 195, Sabino HS, Tucson, AZ
ATH Tony Fields, 6-2, 205, Desert Pines HS, Las Vegas, NV
ATH Greg Johnson, 5-11, 183, Augustus Hawkins HS, Los Angeles, CA
ATH Darrian McNeal, 5-9, 160, Armwood HS, Seffner, FL
Photo credit: bleacherreport.com; Arizona Wildcats set to take the field.