That will happen when pigs fly. “Hey, look! A flying pig!” Arizona State managed to pull off one of the most outrageous
recruiting coups in recent memory. The Sun Devils received verbal commitments from four
3-Star recruits all from the same school, the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits of
Long Beach Calif., one of the most powerful high school programs in the country.
Cornerback and receiver Randall Goforth (5’10, 160), receiver Josiah Blandin (6’4, 185), outside linebacker Salamo Fiso (6’1, 215), and receiver Richard Smith (5’9, 160) all verbally committed to the Sun Devils within a two-day
period in April.
“All of us [Goforth, Fiso, Smith] went on a trip to Arizona State together,” said
Blandin. “We all loved it. The coaches were great. The campus and the stadium were perfect. We all felt right at home. We all started talking about committing after the visit. I made the first move, but they all ended up committing too.”
Fiso committed two days after Blandin, but liked Arizona State just as much.
“Arizona State was the first school to show me love,” said Fiso. “It felt just like Long Beach. I love the coaching staff and the campus.”
Of the four recruits, only Fiso and Blandin were able to showcase their talents at Saturday’s Nike Air Strike Passing Tournament at Dana Hills High School. Smith and Goforth missed the tournament because of a track meet.
“My coach told me that I needed some time off to rest,” said Goforth.
Goforth said he liked the spread offense that Arizona State runs and that the recruiting process has just made him and his teammates closer.
“We all are best friends,” said Goforth. “We all have to same dreams and goals and we want to continue to play with each other in college.”
Blandin just came off an injury the Monday before the Nike Air Strike Passing
Tournament held over the wekend.
“I broke my collar bone at a Nike Camp,” said Blandin. “Sitting out for two months was a killer for me. I wanted to be practicing and working out with my team, but I listened to the doctors and trainers and let it heal patiently. I feel better than ever right
now but will not be attending any more camps. I will only play in 7v7s so that I can stay healthy [for my senior season].”
The dynamic Long Beach foursome is set to dress as Sun Devils in the Fall of
2012 but will still be taking visits throughout their senior season to be sure that
Arizona State is the absolute right choice.
In the meantime, Arizona State can plan on an influx of Jackrabbit talent.
Here is a look at WR Josiah Blandin (left) and LB Salamo Fiso (right) in action
from the Nike Air Strike Tournament on Saturday.
Watch Video
Director of Scouting Scott Kennedy contributed to this report.