Football signs big names

Twenty-one players in all signed on to join the Wildcat program, including two junior college All-Americans and two high schoolers who were named to All-Region teams.

"None of that means a great deal except that some of our guys are more widely known than others," Arizona head coach Dick Tomey said. "We're quite pleased with the job we did in recruiting this year and think we were able to attract the kind of guys we want."

Running back William Blocker (5-foot-11, 210-pounds) of Pacific (San Bernardino, Calif.) High School was listed among the nation's top 10 fullback prospects by National Recruiting Advisor.

Joining Blocker on Prepstar's list of All-Americans are wide receiver Brandon Nash (6-2, 195) of Beverly Hills (Calif.) High School; tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (6-1, 260) of Narbonne (Torrance, Calif.) High School; defensive lineman Bryan Kula (6-4, 285) of Phoenix Brophy Prep; linebacker Mike Wilson (6-0, 190) of Centennial (Corona, Calif.) High School; linebacker Reggie Hardy (6-0, 205) of North Shore (Galena, Texas) High School and defensive lineman Anthony Thomas (6-3, 240) of Pasadena (Calif.) High School.

Nash, Manumaleuna, Thomas and Blocker earned SuperPrep magazine All-Far West honors. Hardy was named to the Super Prep Texas 100 list.

"I think the job we were able to do is a reflection of how our current players feel about the University of Arizona," Tomey said. "They were able to convey a tremendous sense of optimism about the future of Wildcat football and the incoming recruits. That was very persuasive in many cases."

The 1997 Arizona football season opens Sept. 6 at Oregon.

Football signings announced yesterday by Arizona, with position, height, weight, high school or junior college and hometown:

• William Blocker, rb, 5-11, 210, Pacific HS, San Bernardino, Calif.

• A.J. Brown, wr, 6-0, 180, Washington HS, Phoenix

• Ashley Burrows, te, 6-6, 230, Chandler/Mesa CC, Ariz.

• Manuel Golden, rb, 5-11, 185, Washington HS, Phoenix

• Steven Grace, ol, 6-2, 270, Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu

• Reggie Hardy, lb, 6-0, 205, North Shore HS, Galena Park, Texas

• Jay Hinton, rb, 6-0, 202, Maryvale/Glendale CC, Ariz.

• David Hubbard, ol, 6-5, 280, Sabino HS, Tucson, Ariz.

• Jeff Inmon, rb, 6-3, 230, Cardinal Gibbons HS, Raleigh, N.C.

• J.J. Joppru, dl, 6-4, 270, Fullerton CC, Minnetonka, Minn.

• Bryan Kula, dl, 6-4, 285, Brophy Prep, Phoenix

• Malosi Leonard, (no position specified), 6-2, 210, Palmdale (Calif.)

• Alex Luna, lb, 6-1, 220, San Fernando (Calif.) HS

• John Mamolo, dl, 6-4, 275, Fisher Creek HS, Lafitte, La.

• Brandon Manumaleuna, te, 6-1, 260, Narbonne HS, Torrance, Calif.

• Brandon Nash, wr, 6-2, 195, Beverly Hills HS, Los Angeles

• Charles Nash Jr., wr, 5-10, 165, Serra HS, Gardena, Calif.

• Anthony Thomas, dl, 6-3, 240, Pasadena (Calif.) HS

• Ega Usu, ol, 6-4, 290, Leuzinger/El Camino CC, Lawndale, Calif.

• Mike Wilson, lb, 6-0, 190, Centennial HS, Corona, Calif.

• Eli Wnek, dl, 6-3, 225, Ironwood HS, Glendale, Ariz.