The linebacker position is going to be a key element of Don Brown’s defense at Arizona, and for this upcoming season the Wildcats have brought in several transfers to help get the job done. But more are needed, and the UA has offered scholarships to more than 20 LBs from the 2022 recruiting class.
One of the best of that lot is showing strong mutual interest, as 4-star California linebacker Sterling Lane has the Wildcats in his top 5 along with Colorado, Michigan, Oregon and Oregon State.
Top 5 @CoachC_C @oclionsfootball @BrownKai @adamgorney @BrandonHuffman @RyanWrightRNG @GregBiggins @rivalsmike @HamiltonESPN @RhareBreed7on7 @DOMXsports @DLcoachEd
Credit: @rledits24 pic.twitter.com/LbfqeRwJGO— Sterling Lane II – Deuce (@DeuceLane11) July 8, 2021
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Lane is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 320 player in the 2022 class, as well as the 36th-best linebacker in the country and the No. 22 prospect from California. From Westlake Village, he plays for Oaks Christian where he had 34 tackles and five sacks in five games this past season.
Lane visited Arizona on June 4 and has also taken official visits to Colorado and OSU.
“I instantly bonded with everyone there,” Lane told 247Sports’ Greg Biggins. “From the players to the coaches, they took me in and made me feel like I was already part of not just a team but part of a family. The team unity was really easy to see and you can tell how much the players and coaches really love each other. The coaches have a real love for the game as well and they really want to develop you and make you a better player and a better person off the field.”
Arizona has one linebacker pledge among its 10 commitments for 2022, landing 3-star Scottsdale LB Tristan Monday in March.