RECRUITING: Gorman QB Solomon finds right fit at Arizona
Bishop Gorman quarterback Jarrett Solomon is capable of lighting up defenses with his arm and legs.
The athletic junior appears to have found a nice fit for his skills as he maps out his college football future.
Solomon made an oral commitment to Arizona on Sunday, choosing the Wildcats after two unofficial recruiting visits. He said he should be able to make a smooth transition to new Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense.
“Coach Rodriguez is a great guy, a great coach,” Solomon said. “He’s known for that spread system, and we run that a lot. It’ll help a lot. I am a dual-threat guy, can pass and run the ball. I feel comfortable equally within the two.”
Solomon’s early commitment brings an apparent end to the recruitment of one of the top prospects in the 2013 class. Rivals.com ranks Solomon the nation’s No. 5 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 132 player overall.
“It’s great everything is out of the way,” Solomon said. “I’m sure other schools will still come by, but right now, I’m concentrating on grades and our goals for the football team.”
The 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound Solomon also had scholarship offers from Arizona State, Nebraska, Oregon State, Purdue, UCLA, UNLV, Utah, Washington and Washington State. The first day he can sign a national letter of intent is Feb. 6.
“I’m extremely proud of him,” Gorman coach Tony Sanchez said. “Very rarely do you have an opportunity to coach a kid for four years and watch him mature as a player and person. Arizona, with coach (Rich) Rodriguez coming in, he’s a great fit for that system and style.”
Solomon said he "just fell in love" with Arizona’s campus and program.
"I’m extremely excited," he said. "Arizona is a great place. I wanted to go there; it’s a beautiful place. I love the campus, love the fans."
A three-year starter, Solomon is one of the nation’s most accomplished quarterbacks. As a junior, he completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 2,744 yards and 41 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
Solomon was a first-team all-state pick as a junior and sophomore and earned second-team all-state honors in 2009, leading the Gaels to Class 4A state titles in each season.
Sanchez said Solomon is a calm leader.
"The No. 1 trait of a good quarterback is decision-making ability," Sanchez said. "He never puts us in bad spots. He’s a gritty player. When we need him, he comes through."
In last season’s 4A state title game, Solomon completed 13 of 16 passes for 312 yards and five touchdowns, all in the first half, as Gorman rolled to a 72-28 victory over Reed at Damonte Ranch in Reno.
Gorman finished the 2011 season 16-1, with the only defeat a 20-17 home loss to Armwood (Fla.) on Aug. 26.
However, Armwood is currently embroiled in an eligibility scandal that is still being resolved, and the Hawks reportedly could have to forfeit their 15-0 season and Florida Class 6A state title.
NOTE — Gorman’s talented 2013 class also includes cornerback Justin Sweet and wide receiver Ryan Smith. Sanchez said Sweet has offers from UNLV, New Mexico and Utah State, while Smith has offers from New Mexico and Utah State.