Mike evaluating local options

Four-star tackle Andrew Mike, like a lot of Arizona-based prospects, is smack in the middle of the in-state college portion of the offseason. And the 6-foot-7, 260-pound junior is enjoying the ride. He attended Arizona State's junior day last weekend and he'll use the coming weekend to attend the same event at Arizona.

Staying close to home - at least for these visits - is fine by Mike. He says the Wildcats and Sun Devils are recruiting him the hardest at the moment, anyway. He's giving serious consideration to both, so the back-to-back visits are exactly what he needs at this juncture.

No style. No flash. Just simple evaluation.

"It's crazy with those two schools in back yard right now," Mike said. "With them being right here, they're really recruiting me hard."

It doesn't hurt the Wildcats' cause that it landed fellow Tucson product Cameron Denson not long ago. Denson and Mike are in communication, and the recruiting coup Arizona pulled off by coaxing an early commitment from the former certainly made a statement to the latter.

"I've known for a while that Arizona was in the lead for him," Mike said of Denson. "I was surprised the he did it so quickly, but I understand why. It gets tiring with the all the recruiting. If you know where you want to go like he did, you just want to get it over with. If I find a school that makes sense, I'll make the same move."

Of course, the race to land Mike isn't just an in-state race. The 2014 prospect holds eight scholarship offers already and more are expected to roll in as time passes. That's why his summer plans include escaping Arizona's borers for a weekend or two.

"My whole team is going up to Notre Dame for a passing league camp over the summer," Mike said. "So I'll get to go there. I haven't really decided where else I'll be going as far as the rest of the schools."

Coaches from Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State and Washington have passed through the halls of Mike's Tucson Sabino High School in the last week. Nothing is set in stone on which programs will receive follow-up unofficial visits. But, even at this early stage, the lineman is starting to formulate some thoughts on the matter.

"I'd definitely like to go and see Oregon and Washington," Mike said. "I just have to figure out what fits into the schedule with high school and things."