Upcoming visits crucial for Bruggman

Tyler Bruggman is getting closer to a decision but before the Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep four-star quarterback commits he wants to take visits to his top schools.

Over the last week, Bruggman visited both Arizona State and UCLA and got a better feel for what both Pac-12 programs have to offer.

"I wanted to get out and see a couple other schools to really compare different options," Bruggman said. "I went out (to Arizona State) to see what it was like and I have a great relationship with the coaches there. I'm trying to get a feel for what it's like at ASU.

"They're great people and you can tell they're really changing the culture over there which is much-needed. They're really doing good things down there."

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect who threw for 2,497 yards with 37 touchdowns and two interceptions in his junior season spent Friday and Saturday at UCLA and really got a feel for what the new Bruins' coaching staff is like and what they can offer him.

UCLA is definitely in contention.

"It was a great trip," Bruggman said. "They have a beautiful campus. I got to talk with coach (Noel) Mazzone and I met coach (Jim) Mora. It was a great experience and I got a good feel for what UCLA is like.

"I really just want to get all the information on all the different options and then make the best decision from there. Everybody is in the running. With UCLA in the Pac-12 and close to home, it's a beautiful campus and football-wise with coach Mazzone there it's a plus."

The Bruins already have three-star quarterback Eddie Printz from Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter committed but Bruggman said that won't be a determining factor when he makes his decision.

"It's not a factor at all," Bruggman said.

"There is going to be competition everywhere. Every school has a bunch of quarterbacks so wherever you go you're going to have to beat out other guys to get on the field. It's going to be the same wherever you go so that's not a factor."

This week could be crucial for Bruggman, rated as the No. 14 pro-style quarterback and No. 232 prospect in the 2013 class by Rivals.com.

On Monday, Tuesday and most of the day Wednesday, the four-star will visit Arkansas. Then he's off to Michigan State on Thursday followed by two days at Purdue and Indiana. A trip to Washington State is also expected before his commitment.

The three-day trip to Arkansas has become crucially important as Bruggman tries to determine on the fly what's going on with coach Bobby Petrino, who was put on paid administrative leave last week after admitting he had a passenger with him during a motorcycle accident and that he had covered up a previous inappropriate relationship.

Determining exactly what's happening at Arkansas is crucial to Bruggman, who said the Razorbacks are definitely still in the running for his commitment.

"It is something to look at," Bruggman said. "I really don't know what's going to happen down there as far as whether coach Petrino is going to be the coach or not.

"That's something you need to know before you commit. I don't know the whole story and it's something I want to look into when I get down there. I want to see what the plan is moving forward. I know what the media says but I want to get a feel for the situation and what it looks like."