He’s heading into his sophomore year of high school
It’s been a very good summer for Arizona on the recruiting trail, its 2026 class sitting at 20 commitments with 15 of those coming on board in June. That includes a pair of 4-star prospects, giving the Wildcats a class that’s ranked in the 40s nationally.
But the UA’s latest commitment gives it the No. 1 recruiting class in the country … for 2028.
Simote Tupou, an edge rusher from Henderson, Nev., announced his pledge to Arizona on Thursday. He is heading into his sophomore season at Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon and is part of the 2028 recruiting class.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Tupou picked Arizona over offers from Cal, Colorado State, Hawaii, SMU and UNLV. The Wildcats offered him on Jan. 23, shortly after hiring former Wildcat great Joe Salave’a to coach the defensive line.
Per MaxPreps, Tupou had 64 tackles (34 for loss) with 16 sacks as a true freshman for Pinecrest.
247Sports has not begun to rate or rank 2028 recruits, and according to its database Tupou is the first prospect from that class to commit. By default, that currently gives Arizona the No. 1 class for 2028.