Underclassmen Recruiting Report (2/22/22)
In this article:
In-depth analysis of the underclassmen prospects picking up recent collegiate offers. Gianni Mascolino Gianni Mascolino 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Coolidge | 2023 State AZ , 2023, QB, Coolidge – Offer from Washington Mascolino secured his first offer from…
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Continue Reading- In-depth analysis of the underclassmen prospects picking up recent collegiate offers.
Gianni Mascolino Gianni Mascolino 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Coolidge | 2023 State AZ , 2023, QB, Coolidge – Offer from Washington
Mascolino secured his first offer from Washington on his junior day visit at the end of January. The 6’1” 175 lb. athlete is a pure football player with a versatile skillset and great positional flexibility. Just transferred to Coolidge but was an impressive QB while playing his junior season at Eastmark. He’s a savvy and smooth athlete with good speed and playmaking potential. He flashed a great ability to improvise and make something out of nothing. Projects as a WR at the college level right now but depending on development that could change given his ability to transition and impact the game from multiple positions.
After great convo with @PlayerProMorgan Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Washington! #Dawgs @coachschenks pic.twitter.com/zbH1aOE3RB
— Gianni Mascolino 6’0 185lb QB (@G2Mascolino) January 29, 2022
Dezmen Roebuck, 2025, ATH, Marana – First offer from Arizona
After a very productive and impressive freshmen season Roebuck picked up his first offer from hometown U of A. The versatile athlete can be a game changer in all three phases but showed great potential and upside as a receiver over the course of the season. Possesses a very advanced skillset for his age. He’s a good technical route runner with strong ball skills and explosive playmaking ability after the catch. He’s a natural pass catcher with great timing and spatial awareness to attack the ball in the air. Not the biggest guy at 5’10” 160 lbs. but flashes a great contact balance and leg drive to break tackles and fight through contact. He’s one of the top 2025 recruits in the state.
After a great conversation with @Coach_KC84 , I’m blessed to announce my first offer from my hometown, the University of Arizona! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/YoNhhnclHl
— Dezmen Roebuck (@DezmenRoebuck) January 30, 2022
Caleb Lomu Caleb Lomu 6'5" | 260 lbs | OL Highland | 2023 State AZ , 2023, OL, Highland – Offer from Oregon State, Cal
Lomu’s recruiting stock has skyrocketed since the off season and especially in the last month. Currently he holds 11 D1 offers including five Pac12 from Arizona, ASU, Oregon State, Utah, and Washington. He’s got a well-balanced and athletic build at 6’5” 260 lbs. He flashes great feet and mobility to be an effective blocker in space and match defender’s lateral movement. He’s powerful at the POA with strong hands and an aggressive punch at initial contact. Recently voted OL MVP of the National Preps Combine in Las Vegas where he matched up with some of the top talent in the country and continuously dominated in 1on1s. Expect more major D1 programs to follow suit and offer one of the top OL talents in the state.
After an amazing call with @Angus_McClure I am VERY EXCITED to have received the opportunity to further my academic and athletic career at @CalFootball !! @gridironarizona @VYDLperformance @TheUCReport pic.twitter.com/pPhELU5Gth
— Caleb Lomu🇹🇴 (@CalebLomu51) February 9, 2022
Devon Dampier Devon Dampier 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Saguaro | 2023 State AZ , 2023, QB, Saguaro – Offer from Idaho State, Rice, Yale, Nevada
Recruiting has picked up for one of the top QB’s in the state over the last month with offers coming in from Rice, Yale, Nevada, and Idaho State bringing his total to six. Dampier’s an all-out playmaker with great versatility and explosiveness as a dual-threat QB. The game comes very naturally to him evident by his ability to improvise and create plays on breakdowns. As a passer, he possesses a live arm with plus arm strength and accuracy to hit his spots at all three levels. Great ability to throw on the run or off different platforms without sacrificing any of that strength or accuracy. He’s a deceptive athlete as a ball carrier with the speed, burst, and lateral quickness in the open field to make defenders miss and turn the corner. Has the ability to take over a game as he did in the 2021 state championship game. Expect his recruiting to skyrocket entering his senior year.
✝️ Blessed and excited to have received an offer from the University of Nevada!!🔵⚪️ @NateCosta7 @CoachKWils @CoachMohns @Elev8QBacademy pic.twitter.com/ZqzXJf4pKQ
— Devon Dampier (@Devonddampier) February 21, 2022
Matthew Klopfenstein Matthew Klopfenstein 6'5" | 230 lbs | TE Horizon | 2023 State AZ , 2023, TE, Horizon – Offer from Buffalo, Baylor, Louisville, Colorado, Pittsburgh, Washington
Klopfenstein out of Horizon continues to climb up national rankings and recruiting boards while showing why he is one of the top TE’s in the country. Just this month he has added six new offers from Buffalo, Baylor, Louisville, Colorado, Pittsburgh, and Washington bringing his total to 17. At 6’5” 230 lbs. he’s an excellent receiving TE that is also a physical force as a blocker. He’s an outstanding athlete with great body control and coordination, he does a great job using his massive frame to extend and make highlight reel catches outside his framework. He runs well, smoothly getting in and out of his breaks and using his short area burst to create separation especially at the short and intermediate levels. As a vertical and redzone threat he can use his body to box out defenders and high point the ball making him a matchup nightmare for any defender. Already holds offers from some of the top programs in the country and wouldn’t expect for that to slow down anytime soon.
After great conversation with @NickSheridanUW, I’m Blessed to say I’ve been Offered by the UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON! @KalenDeBoer @scotthuffUW @litten_andy @BrandonHuffman @azdolphinsfb @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @bangulo pic.twitter.com/39m9HCc3MH
— Matthew Klopfenstein (@Matthew_Klop) February 22, 2022
Genesis Smith Genesis Smith 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Hamilton | 2023 State AZ , 2023, DB, Hamilton – Offer from Arizona, NAU, San Diego State
Smith’s recruiting is starting to heat up with five offers since the end of the 2021 season including three in February from Arizona, NAU, and San Diego State. At 6’2” 180 lbs. he’s got good length and a strong physical skillset to build on. Colleges like his range and ability to be effective in both coverage and in run support. He’s quick to diagnose and read run/pass using good eye discipline and anticipation. Love his reactionary quickness and break when he triggers. He’s a strong competitor and physical at the contact point. Good foundational skillset going into his senior year and at the college level.
https://twitter.com/Genesis_Smithh/status/1493439625884360705?s=20&t=h5_buwqIm01PuCnwnPsy9A
Alex Doost Alex Doost 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL Mountain Ridge | 2023 State AZ , 2023, OL, Mountain Ridge – Offer from West Virginia, Washington, NAU, Oregon State, Washington State
Doost already had a handful of big time offers heading into his senior year offseason but has really taken off since the new year hit with 11 offers coming in including Washington, NAU, West Virginia, Oregon State, and most recently Washington State. At 6’6” 300 lbs. with an 80 inch wingspan he has ideal size, frame, and length for a Power 5 starter. He’s a plus athlete with great natural movement skills and. He shows good lateral agility and short area quickness to go along with his coordination and body control. Extremely powerful at the POA but is always controlled, balanced, and understands how to use his leverage to his advantage. Love his hand usage and efficiency, snaps them into position with a quick and explosive punch. He’s part of an elite group of top end 2023 OL prospects in Arizona.
T1FM! After a great call with @BWardDCoord I’m blessed to receive and offer from @WSUCougarFB thank you @MtRidgeFootball @VYDLperformance @Sibonney @gridironarizona @bangulo @CoachPerrone pic.twitter.com/vK9b9eECa4
— Alexander Doost (@Doost__) February 22, 2022
Elijah Paige Elijah Paige 6'7" | 305 lbs | OL Pinnacle | 2023 State AZ , 2023, OL, Pinnacle – Offer from Washington, Duke, Auburn, Colorado State
Paige is another one of the elite OL prospects in the state and the most highly recruited in the 2023 class thus far with 25 total offers. So far this month he has added Washington, Duke, Auburn, and Colorado State to his list that also includes top programs such as Oregon, Miami, Michigan State, Stanford, USC, and Penn State. At 6’6” 290 lbs. he has a great build with length and still has good growth potential as he develops. He’s a dual sport guy (football/basketball) that shows in his athleticism, mobility, and bend. He flashes great initial quickness off the LOS with the speed and feet to work to the second level and perimeter. He’s violent at the POA and finishes his blocks by driving his feet through contact. He’s one of the rare prospects to collect offers from all 12 PAC12 programs.
https://twitter.com/elijahpaige74/status/1494022960759275520?s=20&t=7sG02APnXf31EnVGb4aJhA
Jackson Bowers Jackson Bowers 6'5" | 230 lbs | TE Mountain View | 2023 State AZ , 2023, TE, Mountain View – Offer from Cincinnati, Baylor, Ole Miss, , LSU
Bowers continues to stack up elite offers with Cincinnati, Baylor, Ole Miss, and LSU all coming in this month. He now holds 24 total that also includes, USC, West Virginia, Oregon, Michigan State, Louisville, and Florida State. At 6’5” 230 lbs. he’s a great athlete and receiving TE that can run. Lines up in the slot a lot and with his combination of size, length, and athleticism he’s a mismatch for and DB or LB that lines up opposite of him, especially at the high school level. Impressive hand-eye coordination and body control for his size, he shows natural pass catch ability and does a great job tracking and adjusting to ball flight. He’s a tough tackle after the catch due to his strength and balance at the contact point. He’s an elite level TE that will have his choice of college options when all is said and done.
After a great conversation with @MikeDenbrock I am blessed to receive an offer to LOUISIANA State UNIVERSITY !!💜💛@JGermaine7 @MVToro_Football @5starD1 @ChadSimmons_ @bangulo @BrandonHuffman @SWiltfong247 @adamgorney @LSUfootball pic.twitter.com/jarghnTKzX
— Jackson Bowers (@jackson_bow3rs) February 11, 2022
Duce Robinson Duce Robinson 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Pinnacle | 2023 State AZ , 2023, TE, Pinnacle – Offer from USC
Robinson picked up a recent offer from USC. He’s a dual sport (football/baseball) elite level recruit with offers from many of the top programs in the country in both sports. At 6’6” 230 lbs. with an 80 inch wingspan he already has prototypical size for the college level and beyond. For his size, he’s an explosive athlete with exceptional fluidity and speed. Smooth route runner that is able to get in and out of his cuts, shows a great ability to drop his hip level and burst out to gain separation. His length attributes to his huge catch radius and ability to haul in contested catches in traffic and jump balls in the endzone. He’s ranked the top TE in the country and based on his skillset has early draft pick potential to play on Sundays.
Cole Shivers Cole Shivers 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Saguaro | 2023 State AZ , 2023, DB, Saguaro – Offer from Iowa State, Colorado, Kansas
Shivers has collected three Power 5 offers since the start of February coming from Iowa State, Colorado, and Kansas. He’s one of the top CB prospects in the state with his combination of fluid athleticism and natural coverage instincts. Throughout the season he was a lockdown corner often matching up with the states best wide receivers. His speed, change of direction, and burst to close allow him to cover all areas of the field. Smooth transition out of his back pedal with loose hips and good leg drive into his break. Flashes great ball skills and timing to break up a pass and make a play at the catch point. Nine total offers to this point that also include Northwestern, Nevada, Florida State, and Arizona.
After a great conversation with @Coach_Chance I'm excited to say i've received my 8th D1 offer from the University of Colorado!! @CoachMohns @adamgorney @bangulo #CUlture #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/zswXqD7WOg
— 5 ® (@coleshivers21) February 17, 2022
Jeremiah Vessel Jeremiah Vessel 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Basha | 2023 AZ , 2023, DB, Basha – Offer from Buffalo, Grambling State
The transfer in from Louisiana is the top safety prospect in the state right now with 19 total offers after picking up Buffalo and Grambling State recently. He came in and immediately made a difference in the strong Basha defense with his range and speed to be a sideline to sideline playmaker. His versatility allows him to be a ball hawk in both coverage and run support. He can line up as a deep cover safety or come down and be an added defender in the box. Possesses elite level short area burst and closing speed to quickly transition and break on the ball. He’s a violent defender that’s always attacking and flies around to bring strong contact on every play. His growing list of offers includes schools from almost every conference in the country.
https://twitter.com/DeshaunBuchana8/status/1489657963992076290?s=20&t=aUC-knwqhe7Tv0BBUVFNJQ
Deshaun Buchanan Deshaun Buchanan 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Basha | 2023 State AZ , 2023, ATH, Basha – Offer from Grambling State
Buchanan added HBCU Grambling State to his list of five offers that also include Arizona, New Mexico State, NAU, and Portland State. He’s a versatile playmaker that can be a difference maker no matter where he lines up. After transferring to Basha as a junior, he made an impact at RB rushing for almost 1,000 yards and 12 touchdown and also at DB accounting for almost 50 tackles. Possesses a good strong build at 6’0” 195 lbs. with a powerful lower half. Flashes impressive athleticism and lateral agility to make defenders miss with the top end speed to blow plays open for long gains. A lot to like about his skillset that is transferrable to the college level. Look for him to add more offers as the recruiting cycles continues.
https://twitter.com/DeshaunBuchana8/status/1489657963992076290?s=20&t=1ROwXuU3dCMMeg298IzVew
Elijah Rushing Elijah Rushing 6'6" | 255 lbs | DL Salpointe Catholic | 2024 State AZ , 2024, DE, Salpointe Catholic – Offer from Oregon State, Miami
Rushing is one of the top recruits in the 2024 class with nine total offers after adding Oregon State and Miami so far this month. He’s continued to grow and add weight now at 6’5” 225 lbs. He’s an explosive edge rusher with size, speed, and athleticism that is rare for a sophomore. He’s a tough block and extremely disruptive with his ability to make plays as they develop at or behind the LOS. Possesses elite initial quickness firing off the ball with low pad level and good leverage to establish positioning. While rushing the passer or in pursuit he flashes great lateral agility, flexibility, and burst to chase sideline to sideline. Does a good job attacking the edge and flipping his hips to crash the pocket and rush the passer. His offer list mainly consists of western region programs but fully expect for him to be a national recruit before long.
Just a kid from Tucson. Shoutout to our family friend for putting this together! Feeling blessed 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #TucTown #Tucson pic.twitter.com/4BhbnyUYx8
— Elijah Rushing (@elijah_rushing) February 22, 2022
Kyler Kasper Kyler Kasper 6'5" | 195 lbs | WR Williams Field | 2023 AZ , 2023, WR, Williams Field – Offer from Northwestern, Morgan State, Oklahoma
Kasper brings his offer total to 25 with Northwestern, Morgan State, and Oklahoma all offering this month. He’s continued to show why he’s one of the most sought after WR’s in the country with an elite combination of length and natural pass catching ability. At 6’5” 195 lbs. its rare to find a receiver at his size with his athleticism and fluidity. He’s an advanced route runner that shows a great drive phase off the LOS and can manipulate defenders with a series of stems and nods. He’s precise with his routes and flashes great hip level transition out of his breaks. Strong and confident hands with a massive catch radius. One of his best attributes is the physicality and toughness he brings to the position. Has a long list of top end schools to pick from including Notre Dame, Ohio State, Iowa, Georgia, and Oregon.
Top 10🙌 pic.twitter.com/BK1KcV6elk
— Kyler Kasper (@KasperKyler) February 13, 2022
Kaleb Jones, 2025, OL, Mountain Pointe – First offer from Oregon
Just a freshman, Jones picked up his first offer from Oregon this past week. For his age and size at 6’1” 275 lbs. he’s an outstanding athlete that already possesses many of the physical traits colleges look for in a D1 offensive line prospect. He’s shows good bend/flexibility in his stance firing off with good leverage and a flat back as he gets to the contact point. Once engaged, he’s violent at the POA with good natural strength and power coming from his hands and lower half. Strong initial punch and good ability to roll his hips and accelerate his feet on contact to get good explosion on the defender. Love his short area burst and ability to sustain at the second level. Early projection as a national recruit.
Mykeil Gardner Mykeil Gardner 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Liberty | 2023 State AZ , 2023, DL, Liberty – Offer from Colorado State
The impressive run of offers continues for Gardner after pulling in Colorado State early this week. The 6’3” 295 lb. DL prospect now holds 18 total offers including Arizona, ASU, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, USC, and Wisconsin. Checks a lot of boxes as a major D1 defensive lineman with his combination of size, athleticism, and strength. He’s explosive off the ball with great initial quickness and an aggressive first step to establish positional leverage. He’s a plus athlete that uses his lateral agility to flip his hips and work around blockers or use his short area speed to chase down ball carriers sideline to sideline. Great command of a variety of moves to beat his blockers such as spin moves, rips, and long arm techniques. Just scratching the surface of his upside and potential, look for him to continue to stack up high level offers.
https://twitter.com/mgardner2023/status/1495952642916614147?s=20&t=W0dNYZ1PJ4_u6GWJrsDAeA
Demond Williams Demond Williams 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Basha | 2024 State AZ , 2024, QB, Basha – Offer from UCLA
Prep Redzone’s top ranked 2024 prospect in the state added UCLA to his list offers that now totals 12 schools including Arizona, Colorado, Iowa State, Louisville, and TCU to name a few. He’s an exceptional athlete that can make plays both through the air and on the ground. Great footwork and throwing mechanics with a live arm capable of making high velocity throws at any depth. He has a great ability manipulate the pocket, avoid pressure, and make accurate throws on the run to either direction. Does a great job using his eyes to move coverage and going through his progression/seeing the whole field without forcing the ball into a tight window. Shows great command of the position with a composed, confident, and mature disposition. As a sophomore he threw for over 2,600 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 645 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
https://twitter.com/QBDwilliams1/status/1495539845262942208?s=20&t=hT9jHabWUuZ9TpUadOwKCA