FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (June 10, 2020) – Before they even reach Flagstaff, there's already a level of familiarity among some members of Northern Arizona's announced 30-man recruiting class for 2020.
With 16 of the 30 student-athletes arriving from Arizona high schools, some have played against one another during their careers while others have seen each other during summer camps and competitions. Additionally, three high schools across the state have multiple recruits joining Northern Arizona's program this year.
Among them are two from Saguaro, two from Sunnyslope in brothers David and
Niko Haen, and the trio of
Tyson Grubbs,
Colby Humphrey and
Miles LeBlanc from Desert Vista.
"They are pushing Arizona really heavily, especially since Coach
Chris Ball came and started recruiting,"
Niko Haen said. "So it's been really impressive what they've been able to put together."
Haen said offensive coordinator
Aaron Pflugrad watched him throw in the spring following his junior season at Sunnyslope, offering him his first scholarship opportunity. Bringing his ability to run from the quarterback position in addition to being an accurate passer, Haen said Pflugrad told him he was his "No. 1 guy" during the recruiting process.
"I really like what Coach Ball and his new staff are doing up there. They have got a strong spirit and a good culture building up there," Haen said. "I'd just like to say thank you to NAU and Coach Pflugrad, Coach Ball and the whole staff for accepting me and giving me this opportunity to play.
"It was actually pretty relieving, knowing that someone had faith in me and a coach in the state of Arizona believed in me and gave me a chance to stay home and play football," Haen added.
Among the other recruits Haen is familiar with is running back
Tyson Grubbs, one of three players arriving from Desert Vista in Phoenix. Between football, track and field, and summer camps, Grubbs said there's plenty of opportunities to get to know fellow recruits over the years.
The prospect of teaming together with fellow in-state recruits is something many of the players are taking pride in.
"We're definitely trying to get all these AZ guys and definitely trying to make a statement with AZ guys. That's one of their coaches' goals too I believe," Grubbs said. "They said it themselves, they want to see what they can do with a majority of AZ guys."
Playing closer to where he grew up was another priority for Grubbs, who came away from his official visit excited to play for the Lumberjacks after the staff showed him how he'd fit into the offensive gameplan.
"It just seemed to fit me, you know? They definitely made me feel like I could be exactly what I want to be, and achieve all my goals when I go up there," Grubbs said. "They really made me feel like I could do that."
While Grubbs and Haen arrive from just south of Flagstaff,
Rene Zaldivar's journey from Southern California leaned heavily on a key recruiting pitch, as well as a moment of happenstance.
"To be honest, there weren't a lot of college coaches that were really giving me any recognition," Zaldivar said. "So (Coach
Aaron Price) was basically the only one that took a chance on me. He pitched family, and that they don't want players that just play strictly one position."
Playing receiver, running back and defensive back while at Los Altos High School, Zaldivar admitted he didn't mind where NAU plays him. With running back his current spot, the position he played while attending a camp to draw interest from Price, Zaldivar said many times he was open to go wherever needed on the field.
"They want athletes, they want people that just love the game. That's a perfect fit for me because that's why I play," Zaldivar said. "He saw something that most coaches didn't, and as a player I take great pride in that. I'm just grateful that he saw something that most coaches didn't and he pulled the trigger on me."
A small feeling of familiarity traces between Zaldivar and a member of NAU's coaching staff. In one of his first full-time positions during the late 1990s, offensive line coach
Bob Connelly's stint at Cal State Northridge included recruiting Zaldivar's father to play for the Matadors.
Ahead of his official visit, Zaldivar said his father looked closely at the entire staff, realizing one of his former coaches was on the staff.
"I just like how they basically just preached family," said Zaldivar, who said much of NAU's program such as Flagstaff itself and the campus "screams" home. "I just want to go where everyone just feels wanted and I just want to be a part of a home."
