Sting Factor: Ossai, Arizona part ways
When a major program loses a key recruit, Rivals.com takes a look at how big of a blow it is to the respective school, analyzing it from a local and national level. To quantify the “sting” of each decommitment, we assign a score from 1-10, with one being no big deal and 10 being a catastrophic hit.
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THE STORYLINE
New Arizona coach Jedd Fisch is looking to turn around a stalled program in Tucson and part of that process is focusing on recruits who he thinks can make the Wildcats a Pac-12 contender.
KC Ossai was not part of those plans apparently.
According to reports, the three-star linebacker has not had much interest from the new Arizona coaching staff and in recent days the Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge standout has backed off his commitment to the Wildcats. Even though he comes from a big-time football family (his brother Joseph has been a star at Texas), Ossai is no longer wanted at Arizona.
LOCAL REACTION
“Ossai seemed to be a nice fit for the previous defensive staff as he would have had an opportunity to step into a 3-4 scheme that utilized more linebackers under former defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads. Now that Arizona’s defense is expected to shift to a 4-3 look under new coordinator Don Brown things are going to be a bit different.
"The program offered in-state safety/linebacker Ammon Allen earlier this month and then added 2019 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and former Western Michigan linebacker Treshaun Hayward via the transfer portal. Arizona signed 16 players in December and has added six transfers and two high school commitments since Jedd Fisch took over as head coach.
"Space is tight for the 2021 class now, and the Wildcats still want to add pieces on both sides of the line. So the “lack of interest” from the new coaches that Ossai cited in his announcement does not come as a big surprise.” – Matt Moreno, GoAZCats.com
STING FACTOR: 4
NATIONAL REACTION
“Based on the last name and bloodlines here this could sting a lot more if he develops like his brother. But for now it’s not a huge loss. This is a reboot for a new coaching staff so landing their own guys won’t be the worst thing.” — Mike Farrell, National Recruiting Director, Rivals.com
STING FACTOR: 4