Arizona lands second Las Vegas-based commit of 2018 class
It was not a shock when Jaden Mitchell announced his commitment to Arizona on Friday. The Las Vegas-Desert Pines standout receiver had been leaning that way since the Wildcats offered him early in the year as it was closing out its 2017 class. Mitchell played at Desert Oasis last season but made the move to Desert Pines to finish out his junior year and to play his final high school season.
The Wildcats have plenty familiarity with Desert Pines as safeties coach and Las Vegas recruiter Jahmile Addae helped the program bring in two signees from the school - Tony Fields II and Tony Wallace. UA will also have offensive tackle Edgar Burrola as a blueshirt player on its roster and he's from Desert Pines as well.
Former Wildcat David Hill is on staff at Desert Pines and he has helped build that relationship.
Although he has not played a game for Desert Pines yet the new Arizona pledge built a nice bond with UA's staff in the last few months leading to his commitment to the Wildcats to end the week.
"Honestly, I've always just loved the school and the people there," Mitchell said Friday after announcing his pledge. "My high school that I attend right now obviously has a great connection and some of the players have already went to Arizona. So, it just felt like a really comfortable fit I can now go into the summer just focused on Arizona and if they're the right fit and making sure they're putting in the effort to keep me."
Mitchell is close with Wallace in addition to Malik Hausman and Fields who all will be at Arizona when the new commit arrives next year. It was that connection plus his bond with Addae and the coaching staff. After taking a couple visits out to Tucson this spring he decided there was no more reason to wait.
"It played a huge part," Mitchell said of his relationship with Addae and the staff. "Some schools offered me but didn't stay in contact so it didn't feel like I was a main priority. So with Arizona they always stopped by, always kept in touch and it made me feel like I was a priority and they really wanted me.
"The coaches are really cool and I just connected with them from the start whether it be talking about family or talking about football."
Mitchell is the second Las Vegas-based commitment for the Wildcats as the program continues to build a strong pipeline into the area. Bishop Gorman defensive end Adam Plant Jr. committed to the Wildcats recently and in addition to the other recruits mentioned above all from the city.
The three-star recruit had offers from Hawaii and UNLV on the table as well with interest coming in from schools such as BYU, Colorado and Colorado State as well. Mitchell had a chance to visit Arizona earlier in the spring and that helped move the process along.
"I feel that I can make a big impact when I get up there," Mitchell wrote as part of his announcement Friday. "I made this decision because it's a very comfortable place up in Arizona. And I've already built great relationships with the coaches and players. I am about to head into my senior summer and that will let me focus on them more and see if it is truly the right fit."
Mitchell said he does plan on taking more visits throughout the process and he is open to more offers, but for now he is committed to the Wildcats and will start to work on bringing others with him to Tucson. One of his big targets will be fellow Vegas receiver Jalen Nailor, who told us recently that he plans to decide in July.
"I'm trying to get one of my good friends, Speedy Nailor, he's at Gorman," Mitchell said. "Both me and him in the slot would be scary, I mean no one is guarding us."
The 6-foot receiver joins a 2018 Arizona class that includes Tucson-based prospects Jamarye Joiner and David Watson along with Plant.
