Young pulls the trigger on Arizona pledge

It felt like something that was very much coming soon when three-star defensive back Christian Young spoke to us after wrapping up his visit to Arizona over the weekend, and Wednesday the Richmond (Texas) Foster prospect made it official – he will be a Wildcat. The high three-star recruit, who is now Arizona's highest-rated prospect in the 2018 class, enjoyed his recent visit out to Tucson and it helped push things over the top in his second time making a college decision.

Young was previously committed to Iowa State, making his decision back in the summer, but he opened things back up in October and Arizona alway seemed like the likely destination.

"I feel like I can come in and play as a freshman if I come in and put in the work," Young said. "I won't say I'm going to start, but I feel I can come in and play a couple downs and contribute to the team. They do play a lot of freshmen and that's a big thing that played into the recruiting process for me."

The Wildcats offered Young very early in the process and he was one of the first Texas-based prospects the program offered as it decided to turn its attention back to the Lone Star State after not being active there under Rich Rodriguez. Arizona's coaching staff had to work through a commitment to another school during that stretch with Young committing to the Cyclones over the summer, but there was always a connection there with the 'Cats.

"Having a strong relationship with the coaches is a big thing for me," Young said. "Being able for my parents to trust the coaches that I'll be good for the next four or five years. So, being able to trust the coaches to keep me right and win games while I'm there that's a big thing. If I can come in there and play for four years that's a big thing."

Young visited Arizona over the summer and while he came away impressed it wasn't enough to get him to flip his pledge at the time. However, after taking an official visit to Tucson over the weekend it became clear where things were going and he felt that last nudge to push him to pull the trigger on his decision.

"I like the way they do things at Arizona," he said. "Seeing them on game day and being in the locker room on game day it's a big tradition. Once you play there I feel like the coaches take pride in that and there's loyalty. If you play there I feel like you'll always be a Wildcat. I feel like it's a family-type deal at Arizona.

"Once a Wildcat always a Wildcat type of feel."

The expectation is that Young will come in as a safety likely bound for the spur position, but because of his versatility nothing is set in stone yet for his UA career and where he'll end up on the field.

"I play safety, corner and they have the spur position," he said. "I can play anywhere on the defense. Wherever they need me to play I'll play, I'm versatile so it's a good thing."

Young chose UA over additional offers from Arizona State, Houston, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon State, Purdue plus Navy, Army and many others.