Arizona athlete decides

Three-star athlete prospect Chris McGaha (6-0, 182, 4.5) from Phoenix (Ariz.) Moon Valley had a tremendous senior season that ended with a perfect 14-0 record and a state championship. The talented athlete has made his decision.

"I selected Arizona State," McGaha said. "I liked everything about the school."

McGaha politely had to excuse himself since there was a local television crew at his house interviewing him on his commitment.

ASU gets a great athlete in McGaha.

Offensively McGaha was a one-man wrecking crew. As a receiver, he caught 82 passes for 1,500-plus yards and 23 receiving touchdowns. Running the football, he picked up 250 yards on 14 carries and four rushing touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns.

On defense, McGaha racked up 70 tackles and had two picks. Both of his picks came in key situations. The first pick came in the semifinal game of the state championship. His second came in the championship game when Cactus was trying to get back in the game to seal the victory and the championship.

McGaha was just as awesome as a junior when he was one of only two juniors to be named all-Arizona in 2003. He was first-team all-region on offense, defense and special teams.

McGaha was also one of five finalists for the Arizona State Player of the Year award. A rare honor indeed. He was only the second junior ever to be a finalist. (ASU freshman QB Max Hall was the other.)

On offense, McGaha caught 37 passes for 715 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 1,287 kickoff return yards for another 8 touchdowns. As a punt returner, McGaha brought two punts back for scores. To add a little more sweetness to his resume, McGaha scored two rushing touchdowns on reverses for about 40 yards apiece.

Defensively McGaha accounted for 67 tackles, 43 solo, seven picks (one that he returned for a touchdown), four forced fumbles, three sacks and two blocked punts.