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Top high school running back picks Wildcats 

Xavier Smith verbally commits to the UA.

By Charles Durrenberger 
ARIZONA DAILY STAR 

Arizona scooped up one of the state's top running backs this weekend. Could another in-state runner be far behind? 

Sunnyside High School senior Xavier Smith gave a verbal commitment to attend his hometown school, picking the Wildcats over Oregon, Cal and Northwestern. 

"What drew me to Arizona was the opportunity to play as a sophomore and to play in front of my family," said Smith. 

Smith is the second in-state player to pledge to the Cats. 

First-year coach Mike Stoops is awaiting word from Peoria Centennial running back Terry Longbons, who has the UA and rival ASU at the top of his list. 

"I met Terry at the U of A's Junior Day last February," said Smith, who was recruited by UA running backs coach Kasey Dunn. "I haven't talked to him lately, but I know that he is considering Arizona." 

Another of Arizona's nine commitments is Longbons' teammate, offensive lineman Jordan Lowe, who picked Arizona over ASU. 

Lowe gave Stoops and assistant coach Tim Kish his oral pledge last Monday, and is trying to talk Longbons into joining him in Tucson. 

"I know his dad loves it down there," Lowe said of the UA. "Terry's still thinking about ASU, but I'm working on him." 

The 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound Lowe said he wanted to stay in state. 

"I was going to commit to the first school that offered me a scholarship, and that turned out to be Arizona," added Lowe, a tackle at Centennial who is projected as a college guard. 

Smith (6-0, 205) totaled 1,851 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns in leading Sunnyside to the 4A state championship. He is the No. 8-rated player in the state by Rivals recruiting service. 

"Coach Stoops was a big factor in my decision," Smith said. "The coaching staff told me they want to win and win quickly. I want to be a part of that." 

Smith joins a recruiting class that has been ranked in the preseason as the 13th-best in the nation by analyst Tom Lemming. Arizona's nine commitments before the first day of the fall semester are unprecedented, and exemplify Stoops' aggressive recruiting philosophy. 

In addition to Smith and Lowe, the past week also brought the verbal commitment of Texas linebacker Mark Green (5-11, 230) of Dallas Skyline. Green expects to complete other visits to Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas State and Baylor this fall.