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5-star EDGE Elijah Rushing decommits from Arizona

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•10/08/23•

bykeeganpope

Elijah Rushing
(Zach Libby/The Wolverine)

Tuscon (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic five-star EDGE Elijah Rushing has decommitted from Arizona.

He previously committed to the Wildcats in July over Oregon, Notre Dame, Tennessee and dozens of other offers.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the coaches and staff at the University of Arizona for the opportunity to be a Wildcat,” Rushing wrote on Twitter. “As a hometown kid, my desire was to rep my city while becoming the best version of myself. I have taken into consideration the recent progress and strides the program has made. Although it is evident that the program is on the rise, I have to consider my future goal. I have come to the conclusion that the program is not the right fit for me to take the next step with regard to my development. I am, therefore, decommitting from the program.”

The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder is the No. 31 overall recruit in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 5 EDGE and the No. 1 recruit in Arizona.

As a sophomore, Rushing played in every contest for Salpointe Catholic High School, racking up 75 tackles, nine stops for loss and 7.5 sacks. He then had 73 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks and 59 hurries in 2022.

Oregon, Washington, Tennessee and UCLA, all of whom recruited him the first time, are expected to be in contention.

Elijah Rushing Scouting Summary

“Tall, angular pass rusher with the ability to get after the passer due to his quickness and length. Measured between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6 and around 230 pounds as a junior. Has solid length for the position. Productive pass rusher who feasts on mismatched offensive linemen. Primarily lines up wide both in a three-point stance and as a stand up rusher. Plays with good quickness. Shows an effective long arm getting his hands inside the body of opposing offensive linemen. Plays with a good effort level and chases the ball as a pursuit defender. Productive as a junior, notching 11.5 sacks. A solid, not spectacular athlete at the position. Can play high and stand to add functional strength. Was neutralized when facing Power 5 offensive line prospects as a junior.”