Jan. 10, 2012
While the weekend brought news of new Arizona State football coach Todd
Graham's first high school commitment, Tuesday brought news of a big
'no' from one top recruit.
The Arizona Republic
reports Tempe Corona del Sol offensive tackle Andrus Peat has eliminated
the Sun Devils from consideration, citing the
lateness in the process and insufficient time to develop a relationship
with the new regime.
Scout.com ranks Peat a five-star
recruit and the nation's third best prospect. Peat told The Republic he
didn't dislike Graham's staff or the ASU program but just felt the
process was too far along to build the relationship necessary for a
commitment.
The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Peat said he has
narrowed his list to Stanford, Nebraska, USC and Florida State. Peat's
older brother and defensive lineman Todd Peat chose Nebraska over ASU
last season, and the brothers' cousin Avery Moss recently committed to
the Cornhuskers as well, though he said he would listen to an overture
from ASU.
ASU losing out on Peat does not come as a
surprise, as he has not expressed overwhelming interest in the school.
It was important that Graham at least make a run at him, and the
response was one Graham maight be familiar with by
now.
Graham's late arrival to ASU following the
firing of Dennis Erickson and a prolonged coaching search has no doubt
made this year's recruiting challenges greater. Graham had already
asembled a top 25 class at Pittsburgh but suddenly found himself with
about a month and a half to salvage the players who had committed to
Erickson's staff and add new recruits of his
own.
That limited window leaves little time to form
the relationships Peat spoke of, which can be very crucial for a young
athlete make a big decision about his future.
Top ASU
target D.J. Foster, a four-star running back from Scottsdale Saguaro,
also mentioned the need to build a relationship with the new ASU
leadership last week at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl. But he
ranked ASU as even with California on the top of his consideration list,
so there's still time for Graham to establish that
connection.
With signing day about three weeks away,
Graham and his staff are working under the gun to build and rebuild
these relationships that could have a lasting impact on the program.
-- Tyler Lockman
