Wildcats add pair to verbal commitment list

The Wildcats received two more verbal commitments yesterday. Tight end Ryan Zilius from San Marcos High School in California and defensive lineman Ron Smith from Kemper Military Junior College in Missouri bring the Wildcats' total to 17.

If Arizona can sign all its verbal commitments, it will take a big step toward filling the void left by the departure of stars such as Chester Burnett, Joe Salave'a and Rodney Williams.

The first day recruits can sign a letter of intent to play for a school is Feb. 4.

Zilius is rated as one of the top eight tight ends in the country by the National Recruiting Advisor and is said to have "good hands for a big guy." He originally committed to Southern Cal but withdrew when the Trojans fired head coach John Robinson.

"Ryan is a big target over the middle that, I think, will make a lot of big plays for them next year," said Ken Broach, Zilius' high school head coach. "He can catch the ball in traffic and knows what to do with the ball when he gets it."

Smith, a JC player, will have three years of eligibility left upon entering UA.

While these two recruits are sure to make an immediate contribution to the Arizona system, the Wildcats' most prized talent may be wide receiver Ronnie Davenport.

Unfortunately for Wildcat fans, Davenport has verbally committed to both Arizona and Cal and probably will not make his decision until signing day.

He may choose Cal due to the graduation of Bobby Shaw, who led the nation in receiving last season.

Davenport, from Woodside, Calif., in Northern California, caught 62 passes for 1,390 yards and 20 touchdowns his senior season.

"He's freakin' phenomenal," Woodside head coach Tony Alanis said.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound target recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.5 seconds. If he chooses UA, he may well step into a prominent roll, potentially competing with redshirt senior Jeremy McDaniel for playing time alongside junior-to-be Dennis Northcutt.

Arizona has also received commitments from two of Hawaii's top players - defensive lineman Ben Aluala from national powerhouse Saint Louis High School and center Rockne Freitas.

Freitas, from Kamehameha School in Honolulu, was an all-state selection this past season and is the brother of UA tight end Makai Freitas. His 6-foot-4, 270-pound frame will fill the gap left by Ryan Turley.

Defensive backs Jarvis Worcester, Darryl Conyer, Mike Hairgrove, Andre Gayles, Greg Payne and David Hinton have also given UA verbal commitments. Rounding out the commitments are offensive linemen Darren Safranek and Manu Savea, quarterback Jason Johnson, kicker Michael Johnson and defensive lineman Aaron Huisman.

Meanwhile, two of Arizona's hot prospects - running backs Leo Mills and local standout Antrel Bates from Amphitheater High School - are making official visits to the campus this weekend.

Mills, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound back, is rated as one of Texas' top running backs. He has narrowed his choices down to UA, Louisiana State or a junior college.

Bates, slightly smaller at 6-foot, 190 pounds, is still considering Arizona State, UCLA, USC, Nebraska and Cal.