A trio of three-star Saguaro Sabercats gave their verbal commitments to Arizona State University on Friday, in an effort to help encourage other 2017 Arizona high school recruits to do the same.

OL Corey Stephens, LB Kyle Soelle and TE Jared Poplawski all committed to Arizona State on Friday, 6/17 via Twitter

TE Jared Poplawski, LB Kyle Soelle and OL Corey Stephens all called Todd Graham to give their verbal commitments, bringing Arizona State's 2017 class to five total commits, with four being from the state of Arizona. If that number stands, it would equal the most Arizona high school seniors the program has taken in a single recruiting class under Todd Graham, but Poplawski, Soelle and Stephens hope to see that number increase.



Jared Poplawski is Saguaro's leading returning receiver, hauling in 32 receptions for 438 yards and 6 TDs in 2015. Arizona State was Poplawski's first offer, coming on the night of the Sun Devils' win over University of Arizona in November. Poplawski's second offer came from Mike Norvell and Chip Long after they left ASU for Memphis, and after that, several Mountain West teams offered. Most recently, Poplawski pulled down offers from Louisville, Oregon State and Illinois. His mother is a USC alum, and he knows she would have been pleased if the Trojans came calling, but on his father's side, Poplawski is a fourth generation Sun Devil whose grandfather played TE for Frank Kush. "I talked it over with my coach and my mom, and came to the conclusion that ASU was good for me," said Poplawski. "I wasn't going to find a better school. I already knew where I wanted to go, so I figured why wait?" On how the idea came about for the three teammates to commit together, Poplawski said, "It just all came together. Kyle was super hyped up about his offer, and I've always felt the same. Corey's been talking to ASU since sophomore year. Kyle and I were talking about possibly staying and playing together, and when Corey got his offer, we just said 'let's make this a big thing and commit the same day.'"

Kyle Soelle transferred to Saguaro after playing on varsity as a sophomore and junior at Notre Dame Prep. Soelle primarily played TE, but had a Swiss Army Knife-like role for the Saints, leading Notre Dame in receptions last year, and finishing second in both rushing TDs, and sacks. Soelle has received 17 offers since February 9th- a rate of almost one per week. His Pac-12 offers outside of ASU include Cal, Washington State, and Utah, but like Poplawski and Stephens, Soelle is a lifelong ASU fan, and grew up attending games at Sun Devil stadium. "I've grown up, since I was four, wearing maroon and gold. I've always been a fan," said Soelle, who recently finished unofficial visits to both Boise State and Cal. "Honestly, I'm not really connected to any other school the way I am to ASU, and I want to see the program go to the next level. I know they can do it, it just hasn't been seen yet." Soelle says Arizona State plans to use him at linebacker, and that part of the appeal of ASU has been his communications with defensive coordinator, and eventual position coach Keith Patterson, "Me and Coach Patterson have a great relationship. I really like the way he coaches the linebackers, and I love the defensive scheme and the way they blitz." Soelle credits ASU offering Corey Stephens as the catalyst that put the triple-commitment in motion. "He really wanted that ASU offer, and I was kind of holding out to see if he'd get it. We always thought it would be special if we committed on the same day, and Poplawski said 'why wait,' because he likes ASU as well, and sees himself in the program." Soelle wasn't shy about expressing the overall goal of announcing their commitment in this manner. "We figured why not do it together and get some momentum to get the attention of guys like Austin Jackson, and K.J. (Jarrell), and maybe end up with four kids from Saguaro."