UA recruits could patch graduation holes

The Wildcats have loaded their storage shed with a variety of offensive machinery, including local high school standout Antrel Bates.

Also expected to sign letters of intent today are lineman Chris Redding, running back Leo Mills and tight end James Hugo, all from Texas, as well as linemen Aaron Higginbotham and Rockne Freitas, tight end Ryan Zylius and wide receiver Gary Love.

Bates, who rushed for 55 touchdowns and 4,213 yards in his two years at Amphitheater High School, will most likely see playing time at defensive back since Arizona is top heavy at tailback with returning slasher Trung Canidate and Leon Callen. Callen will return to the lineup after surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.

Mills, a Parade All-American, will also add to the Wildcats' already talented pool of ball carriers.

At tight end, a position which suffered a huge drop in production last season, Arizona has found two of the top prospects in the country.

Zylius, one of the top eight tight ends in the country according to the National Recruiting Advisor, and Hugo, a blocking tight end who also played defensive lineman in high school, could provide solid additions to a strong running attack.

Zylius originally committed to Southern Cal but withdrew and committed to the Wildcats after the Trojans fired head coach John Robinson.

The offensive line, which has a few holes to fill with the graduation of seniors Ryan Turley, Jose Portilla and Rusty James, might find some immediate help from Redding, the No. 11 offensive lineman in the country according to Super Prep. He chose Arizona over Colorado, Texas and Florida State.

Higginbotham and Freitas could also see immediate playing time.

Love, who caught 36 passes for 904 yards at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, could help fill the void left by the departure of Rodney Williams.

On the defensive side, Arizona has stocked the cupboard with a pair of Hawaiian resources to weather the storm caused by the graduation of Joe Salave'a, Mike Szlauko and Jimmy Sprotte.

Keoni Fraser and Ben Alualu, both from the Aloha State, were "Big Kahunas" for their respective high school squads.

Fraser recorded 17 sacks in his senior season and chose to play in the Pacific 10 Conference for a higher level of exposure. Alualu was an All-State selection last season.

Defensive end Mike Robertson, who verbally committed to Arizona over Tennessee, had 15 sacks at Grossmont Community College near San Diego.

Arizona has also received verbal commitments from several defensive backs, all of whom may vie for quality time in the secondary.

Arizona coaches are prohibited from commenting on the recruiting class until the initial list of signees is announced this afternoon.