Arizona trending for 2024 ATH Dylan Tapley following Arizona State decommitment

Jedd Fisch and Arizona are now trending to pull off an in-state recruiting flip, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

On Thursday evening, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Desert Mountain three-star athlete Dylan Tapley announced his decommitment from Arizona State after being pledged to the Sun Devils for nearly seven months:

“I would like to thank Coach Dillingham and Coach Ward for the unbelievable opportunity to further my education and football career at ASU. I’d also like to thank entire ASU staff and fans for all of the constant love and support they’ve shown me in the last year, I wish them nothing but the best and believe they will accomplish big things. After going through my senior year, talking with my family and coaches, and seeing my self on the offensive side of the ball for my future, I have decided to decommit from Arizona State University,” Tapley wrote.

Quickly after the announcement of Tapley’s decommitment, Arizona began receiving a wave of buzz surrounding the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder. The Wildcats now have a 96.2% chance in the RPM to land the athlete’s pledge.

Arizona was a finalist for Tapley back in April, but the Sun Devils won the in-state recruitment, as they beat out the Wildcats, Kansas State and Oregon. Tapley is the No. 581 overall prospect and No. 22 athlete in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He made visits to Tucson in June 2022 and January 2023. Fisch and tight ends coach Jordan Paopao have led the Wildcats’ recruitment.

Arizona still pursuing top-50 recruiting class in 2024 cycle

The Wildcats lost their centerpiece commitment in the 2024 cycle back in October, as Tucson Salpointe Catholic top-40 prospect Elijah Rushing backed off his pledge and committed to Oregon soon after.

As of Nov. 9, Arizona has 22 commits, but the class as a whole ranks just No. 51 in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. That’s good for just No. 8 in the Big 12.

Two four-star prospects highlight the pledge list for the Wildcats: Long Beach (Calif.) Jordan running back Jordan Washington and Chandler (Ariz.) Basha quarterback Demond Williams Jr. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Williams is the No. 18 QB in the cycle.

“I would say the NFL connections that coach Fisch has and them believing in my abilities since day one,” Williams told On3 about why he picked Arizona. “I feel like it is a great opportunity to prepare me for the next level. As well as developmentally getting me to get to my maximum potential.”

Other top commits for the Wildcats include: Chula Vista (Calif.) Mater Dei Catholic three-star cornerback Isaiah Buxton, Henderson (Nev.) Liberty three-star wide receiver Landon Bell and Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) three-star linebacker Stacy Bey.