Arizona LB Has Local Leader

One of the top defensive players in Arizona next year will be Tucson (Ariz.) Mountain View linebacker Ryan McGinty. The athlete earned just about every honor he could as a junior and shows up good on film as well.

McGinty isn't the biggest 'backer in the world but at about 5-11, 205 pounds and with a non-stop motor, he reminds us of former Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei and Oregon linebacker Kevin Mitchell. As a junior, McGinty totaled 112 tackles and forced four fumbles to earn 1st team All-League, All-city and 1st team All-State honors.

In reviewing McGinty's junior tape, two things really jump out at you. One is just how hard he plays. The linebacker is relentless on the field and does a great job of fighting through blockers and is able to make plays sideline to sideline because of how well he pursues to the ball. McGinty is also a very sure tackler with great technique and drives right through the ball carrier. He has natural football instincts and takes the right angle just about every play. He seems to have a sense of where the player is going to be rather than having to wait for the player to get there.

On the recruiting front, McGinty is hearing from schools all over the country including Miami, Texas, Michigan, Auburn, Illinois, Northwestern, Kentucky and all of the Pac 10 except USC and UCLA.

"Right now, I have a top five of Arizona, Arizona State, Texas, Auburn and Oregon," McGinty said. "I'm looking for a school with a strong football program as well as a place that offers my major which will be Kinesiology or Physiology. When I'm done playing, I would like to become a personal trainer or an athletic trainer."

Academically, McGinty is carrying a 3.76 GPA and will the SAT later this month.