Three-star CB Elijah Blades names Pac-12 frontrunner

Arizona has emerged as the team to beat for three-star cornerback Elijah Blades especially after he visited the Tucson campus.

So far, the Pasadena (Calif.) Muir recruit has landed offers from Arizona, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida, San Jose State and Washington State.

The Wildcats have moved to the top and could be tough to beat.

“Their coaches were talking to me about how I could play in my first year and coach Rich (Rodriguez) is a great guy,” Blades said.

“He basically told me he wants me there and that he would do everything for me academically and help me with the other coaches.”

Blades, a long, athletic cornerback, recently visited Arizona and that definitely helped the Wildcats’ cause. He’s not ready for a commitment yet but the Pac-12 school is definitely up there.

“The campus is beautiful,” Blades said. “It has the mountains next to it. The campus is right there by the stadium so it’s really great. That’s a major factor for me.”

Arizona leads and then Florida is right there as well. The three-star cornerback has not visited Gainesville yet but would like to take an official visit early in his senior season.

“Florida and Arizona are right there in my top two,” Blades said. “If I visit Florida then it would be between those two right now. I’m waiting for my official (to Florida). It will probably be the first game.”