Wildcats harvest talented crop of gridiron standouts

"We are really pleased about this group," Arizona head coach Dick Tomey said. "Especially the people up front. We have a really solid bunch."

Highlighting the group of linemen are Houston product Chris Redding (6-foot-4, 319 pounds), Honolulu-native Makoa Freitas (6-4, 270) and Californian Aaron Higginbotham (6-6, 280).

"(Redding) is a what I like to call a 'road-grater'," Tomey said. "He really comes off the ball."

As for Freitas, Tomey said he has "exceptional strength" and was a high-profile recruit. Higginbotham has a chance to get in the mix as early as next year,Tomey said.

"I think it is just really gratifying to get these kind of players," he said.

A pair of tailbacks also has Tomey excited about his new class, which includes 22 prep players and five junior college transfers.

Leo Mills is a 6-2, 215-pound back that Tomey claims "has a reputation like Jesse James" is his home state of Texas.

"There are not a lot of players like Leo in the country," he said. "He is a terrific player. He is so big and fast."

The other ball carrier is Amphitheater High School's 6-foot, 180-pound Antrel Bates.

"We are really excited to get Antrel," Tomey said. "We really wanted him."

With the Wildcats' depth at the running back position, there is a chance Bates may find himself on the other side of the ball as a defensive back.

Tomey, however, is not about to set anything in stone.

"We just have to get him here and on the field," Tomey said. "We recruited him as a tailback, and we will try him there."

Another offensive weapon Arizona added is Los Angeles' 5-10, 165-pound wide receiver Gary Love.

"We thought he was the best wide receiver we saw," Tomey said. "He has more speed than (junior wide receiver) Dennis (Northcutt)."

Also expected to make their presence felt offensively are 6-5, 250-tight end Ryan Zylius, who had earlier committed to Southern Cal, but changed his mind after John Robinson was fired, and Texas' 6-6, 235-pound James Hugo.

"(Zylius) is a very fine tight end," Tomey said. "He has a chance to compete very early."

Arizona added a sole quarterback, Puyallup, Wash. product Jason Johnson (6-2, 180).

"We just wanted to sign one quarterback," Tomey said. "We will be fine with that."

For defense, the Wildcats signed linemen Ben Alualu and Keoni Fraser, both Hawaii products, as well as Terrell Jurineack and Young Thompson, a 6-2, 278-pound-player from Samoa who actually played quarterback for his high school team.

Defensive backs include Darryl Conyer, Andre Gayles, Michael Hairgrove and David Laudermilk.

In an attempt to ease kicking woes, the Wildcats signed Glendale Community College transfer Michael Johnson.

"He will be our kick-off man," Tomey said. "He may get more standing ovations than anyone else (next year)."

UA recruits named to PrepStar magazine's 
All-America teams

	Position	Height/Weight	Hometown

Darryl Conyer	RB	5-10/180	San Diego, Calif.

Makoa Freitas	OL      6-4/70		Honolulu

Andre Gayles	WR/DB	6-1/75		Kent, Wash.

Aaron 
Higginbotham	OL	6-6/280		Yucaipa, Calif.

David Hinton	DB	5-11/70		San Diego

Jason Johnson	QB	6-2/180		Puyallup, Wash.

Gary Love	WR	5-10/65		Los Angeles

Leo Mills	RB	6-2/215		Humble, Texas

Chris Redding	OL	6-4/319		Houston

Ryan Zylius	TE	6-5/250		San Marcos, Calif.