News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
UA Football notebook: Prized recruit still leaning to Wildcats
TUCSON - Defensive back Robert Golden might end up being worth the wait for Arizona football fans. But they are going to have to wait a few more days.
Golden, a four-star recruit from Fresno, Calif., told the Star late Tuesday he will choose a college “real soon” — likely in the next few days. Golden delayed a planned announcement Tuesday night after being bombarded by calls from media and other coaches.
Golden said Arizona is still at the top of his list.
“I want to make a decision on my own, with no pressure,” Golden said.
Golden originally committed to UA six months ago but reopened his recruitment two weeks ago to include other schools. Golden is also weighing offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, UCLA and Arizona State.
The Rivals.com recruiting service lists Golden, a 5-foot-10, 182-pound senior, as the No. 11 cornerback recruit in the nation and the 18th-best player in the state of California. Golden registered 32 tackles and five interceptions as a junior in 2006. He has been slowed by injuries this season.
Golden remained in contact with Arizona coaches, even after decommitting. Golden spent the weekend in Tucson as part of his official visit; he and four other prized recruits watched Saturday’s 34-27 victory over UCLA from the Zona Zoo student section.
One of the recruits, Ryan Bass, committed to the Wildcats on Sunday night.
Cason is Thorpe semifinalist
For the second straight season, cornerback Antoine Cason has been named a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive back.
Through 10 games, Cason — a senior from Los Angeles — leads the Wildcats with four interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown. He is third on the team with 62 tackles.
Three finalists will be named Nov. 15. The winner will be announced Dec. 6.
Stoops: program in better shape now
One day after UA President Robert Shelton gave head coach Mike Stoops a vote of confidence, Stoops sounded content.
“I wasn’t planning on anything else,” he said during Tuesday’s Pac-10 conference call. “My job is to try and prepare and win football games every time we step on the field.”
Stoops said the program is in better shape than it was when he got here and that he sees player improvement.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: