Josh Fields/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona shortstop Jason Donald was named to Baseball America’s second team on their All-American squad. His teammate, closer Mark Melancon – who may work his way into the starting rotation next season – was named to the third team.

Scottsdale lineman Holmes signs on to finish college career with Wildcats

Christmas came several days early for Mike Stoops and his staff — 10 days early, to be exact.

Louis Holmes, a highly sought-after junior college defensive end from Scottsdale Community College, announced that he would be continuing his football career in Tucson at a press conference in Scottsdale on Dec. 15.

The nation’s consensus top-ranked junior college player and a five-star prospect according to recruiting Web sites www.rivals.com and www.scout.com, Holmes made it official a week later when he signed his letter of intent to play his last two years of college football for the Wildcats

“Louis wants to take us to the next level,” Stoops said in a press release. “He is a dynamic player who will bring some excitement and some stability along our D-line.

Arizona has a vacancy on its defensive line left by departing senior Copeland Bryan.

“Holmes is so unique,” Stoops said. “To have that size, strength and speed is not typical for your average player. He is so explosive. There is so much he can do.”

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound lineman originally signed with Ohio State out of high school but failed to qualify academically. After attending a prep school in Maine, Holmes eventually enrolled at SCC, where he drew national attention as a member of the Fighting Artichokes.

At least seven other schools offered Holmes a scholarship, including juggernauts Southern California, Louisiana State, Florida State and Oklahoma, according to rivals.com.

In beating out such top-tiered opposition in landing Holmes, the Wildcats are well on their way to their best overall recruiting class in years, according to Josh Gershon, a senior writer for www.goazcats.com, part of the rivals.com network.

“Regardless of Holmes, this is the best class I’ve ever seen Arizona sign,” he said of the class currently rated by rivals.com as the No. 10 in team recruiting. “When you add Holmes to what Arizona already has committed, it’s unbelievable just how much talent that Mike Stoops and his staff have put together. Holmes is a tremendous talent but he’s just one big trophy out of several.”

Gershon said he heard talk of Arizona going hard after a dominant defensive end at SCC but originally did not think much of it because he could play for any school in the country.

“Arizona had never gotten a player like him before, but I called him anyway and he seemed legitimately interested in the Wildcats,” Gershon said. “While the recruiting analysts may not have been completely aware of him, the Arizona coaches definitely were.

“The UA coaching staff got on Holmes as early as anyone,” and that’s a major reason he signed, Gershon said.

Gershon said he thinks Holmes, who is believed to be the most-anticipated recruit in the history of Arizona football, will live up to the hype.

“Every coach and recruiting analyst seems to think that Louis Holmes is a sure thing,” he said, adding that Holmes is a top-tier recruit if for no other reason than “the fact that Arizona beat out the top schools in the country to get him.”

“(USC head coach) Pete Carroll was on the phone with Holmes, begging him to commit to USC moments before he announced for Arizona. He’s the No. 1 recruit in the country and some feel right now as a junior college player he’s better than any high school recruit.”

Long, Tretheway also ink LOIs

In addition to Holmes, defensive tackle Gabe Long and offensive lineman James Tretheway also signed on the dotted line in late December and will enroll in classes starting this semester in order to participate in spring practice.

Long, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman out of Fullerton (Calif.) Community College, figures to compete for playing time alongside Holmes.

Like Holmes, he earned five stars from scout.com, but he got one less star from rivals.com.

“The defensive line is an area we needed to make drastic improvement in,” Stoops said in the release. “Signing guys like Long and Holmes will really help us in that area.

“Gabe is physical and his strength is impressive,” Stoops said. “He will give immediate help on the inside of our front.”

Tretheway, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound California native comes from the College of San Mateo in his home state. He earned three stars from both recruiting services.

Like his fellow signees, Tretheway is expected to compete for playing time during spring ball and has two years of eligibility remaining.

Notes

Tight-ends coach Josh Heupel accepted a position coaching quarterbacks with Oklahoma, his alma mater … The season begins in 234 days … Former Cats Darrell Brooks and Gilbert Harris were invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Game in San Antonio, which takes place Jan. 21.