Knight found the right situation at the right time with Arizona

Everyone involved knew what it was going to take for 2018 offensive lineman Maisen Knight to get on his next college campus a year early. The Ventura College standout did enough in the classroom after one season at the California junior college to make the move to a four-year school this summer, but the Utah native liked his school and wasn't leaning toward leaving. In fact he was ready to stay another season and make a decision in December on his next program.

However, there was always the caveat that if a Pac-12 school came in with an offer and wanted him on campus right now he would not have hesitations about taking a program up on that offer. Enter Arizona.

The Wildcats didn't announce any offensive linemen signees on Signing Day earlier this year and after spring ball was finished Keenan Walker decided to leave UA for a junior college himself while Harper Sherman opted to give up football altogether. That leaves some holes now and especially for the future. Arizona needed someone who could play right now, and because of his connection to the coaching staff at Ventura College, UA offensive line coach Jim Michalczik and area recruiter Scott Boone made it happen.

Knight came out on a visit to Tucson over the weekend and Tuesday he made the call. He would leave VC and head to Tucson. He'll arrive next week and it was certainly a whirlwind of an experience.

"During spring ball coaches were coming by and coach Boone came by and I got to talk with him," Knight said about how the process with Arizona began. "He really liked me and so coach Michalczik flew out the next week and watched me work out. He really enjoyed watching me, and we stayed in touch ever since. We just kept on talking and he told me there was going to be a spot just to keep waiting, and I stayed patient.

"I've always grown up being a diehard Pac-12 fan and being an Arizona fan also. Finally things came around in June and they wanted to get me out on a visit. Coach Rod (Rich Rodriguez) called me on the phone right before they booked the flight and offered. From there I got to meet the staff and some of the players during my time at Arizona and I could see myself fitting there and it being a second home."

Knight had other options with schools such as Oregon State, Utah and Washington State all interested but none of those programs were willing to take the chance on offering him for the 2017 season. Because of that he was content to move along with the process into his second season at Ventura College, but when the Wildcats came through the picture became clear for his future.

"That's what coach Michalczik mentioned to me, he didn't want me in December after my next season at Ventura College he wanted me now," Knight said. "He wants me in the system and tying to compete for a spot and that was very enticing to me because that was a goal of mine.

"... I had nine other offers and they were great and I respect all the coaches and the opportunities that they gave me there, but I really liked Ventura and I was planning on staying another year there but Pac-12 has always been my goal. I told coach Boone that back in April. I'm not leaving Ventura unless it's Pac-12 and these were the guys who gave me that chance and I'm grateful for that."

Now Knight will get his chance to suit up for a new team this season with the chance to learn while leaving open the possibility of playing right away. The three-star prospect has a redshirt season still available to him should he want to take more time before hitting the field again, but for Knight it is just nice to have options while still getting a chance to keep his career moving forward.