photo courtesy Uriah Neloms
San Tan Charter athlete Uriah Neloms has seen his recruitment really pick up over the past few months, and he’s added offers from the two in-state Big 12 teams over the past three weeks.
Arizona wide receivers coach Bobby Wade watched a workout a few weeks ago and offered Neloms shortly after. On Thursday, Arizona State offered him after a strong showing at their 7-on-7 showcase with San Tan Charter.
“(ASU) saw something yesterday that they like,” Neloms said. “They think that they could put an opportunity for me to go advance my football career. I’m really grateful for it.”
Kenny Dillingham and Neloms connected quickly in their conversations.
“We just talked about how much love we have for the game,” Neloms said.
Neloms said Dillingham asked him where his dream school was.
His response?
“Where I can play football.”
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound athlete has played quarterback, linebacker, defensive back and wide receiver at 2A San Tan Charter. Last year as a receiver, he tallied 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns on 53 catches.
He said most of the schools recruiting him have discussed him playing receiver at the next level. In addition to ASU and Arizona, Neloms has reported offers from Navy, NAU, San Diego State, Dartmouth, Army and Air Force.
No matter where he plays, he feels the versatility he possesses will help him see the whole field.
“Just being able to move my body in different ways, but it still all correlates to football,” Neloms said. “You’d be able to have fluid hips as a (defensive back). Linebackers have to be able to see the front and see where you need to fill gaps. Quarterback needs to see the whole field. With receiver, you have to know your assignment and be able to execute for the quarterback.”
On the field, he wants his destination to provide an opportunity to play at a high level. Off the field, he wants to pursue a degree in kinesiology. He believes that will help him maximize his recovery as a player, and he wants to “give back to the youth and the people trying to better themselves” with that knowledge once his playing days are done.
He does not have an exact timeline for his decision, but when he knows, he’ll not hesitate to commit.
“That will just come with when it feels like home.”
