This is the time of year people start flocking to nearby malls searching for the perfect holiday gift.
If you’re Saguaro’s Christian Kirk you’ve already scoured through your favorite stores.
Now it’s just selecting the final gift.
The state’s best player’s top priority now is hoping to lead the Sabercats to their second consecutive Division III State Championship and shortly thereafter he will give the ultimate Christmas gift to one of six schools in the running for arguably the most dynamic Arizona prep playmaker in the past decade. Kirk is scheduled to graduate early on December 19th and decide shortly thereafter.
One of those schools is Arizona State who has been tracking the 5’11, 197-pound athletes every move for quite some time.
Kirk has developed a close relationship with ASU Deputy Head Coach Mike Norvell, the wizard behind the Sun Devils’ fast-paced, high-scoring spread attack.
“He’s just a genuine guy,” Kirk told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat during his in-studio appearance Tuesday morning. “He wears his heart on his sleeve and I know everything he’s telling me is definitely the truth.”
The truth is often altered and promises skewed when it comes to universities and their coaches attempting to woo high-profile recruits like Kirk.
It’s a way of life in the high-stakes, cut-throat business of college athletics.
“I’ve heard and seen a lot of salesmen,” Kirk said with grin. “They’re not lying when they say they’re car salesmen because that’s what they’re trying to do.”
Not Norvell according to Kirk.
“Coach Norvell is a genuine guy,” he explained. “He’s a genius on the field and I love his play calls and what he does. He’s an awesome guy.”
Kirk, who has been known to randomly swing by the ASU football offices and chat with coaches and players, was on the sidelines for the Devils’ big win over Notre Dame last weekend.
He insists there is no front-runner between ASU, USC, UCLA, Ohio State, Auburn and Texas A&M but is confident he will make the right decision next month.
The two-way star will enroll in said college in January with the hopes of playing as a true freshman next fall.
Six schools hoping to unwrap the ultimate holiday gift.
