Arizona got started on its (checks calendar) 2028 recruiting class on Thursday, when Las Vegas-area defensive end Simote Tupou committed to the Wildcats.
Tupou, who was primarily recruited by UA defensive line coach Joe Salave’a, is entering his sophomore season at Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon in Henderson, Nevada.
The 6-1, 235-pound Tupou also held offers from Cal, Colorado State, SMU, Hawaii and UNLV. He’s the first commit of Arizona’s 2028 recruiting class.
As a freshman at Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon last season, Tupou recorded 64 tackles, 16 sacks and a forced fumble.
Arizona doesn’t have any commits for 2027. Arizona’s current 2026 recruiting cycle has 20 players. The Wildcats have offered 55 recruits for 2028, according to .
Among the offered players is quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, the son of former UA quarterback George Malau’ulu, who played under head coach Dick Tomey from 1989-92. The younger Malau’ulu is a sophomore at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, and passed for 1,812 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a freshman.
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Arizona 2028 commit Simote, left, stands next to former UA star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
The Wildcats have offered nine in-state recruits for 2028.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star’s Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
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