Michael Lev column: As a pass rusher, Arizona-bound Elijah Rushing is used to providing pressure. Now he’s going to face it. But it’s a challenge he embraces.
A table and backdrop, featuring swaths of Salpointe Catholic’s maroon and gold and interlocking “SC” logos, were positioned on one side of the school’s weight room. Rushing, the towering Lancers defensive end and top-ranked prospect in the state of Arizona, sat across from a laptop that would beam his announcement to the World Wide Web. Family members, teammates, coaches and friends formed a semi-circle to watch and cheer him on.Rushing’s father, George, couldn’t get Skype to work quite right.
By committing to his hometown school, Rushing chose the less-worn path — but one that’s brightly lit. As the highest-ranked recruit in UA history, Rushing must perform under a glimmering spotlight.Their fanbases are just as intense, probably more so. But those schools get four-and five-star recruits all the time. They don’t always pan out. Onto the next.
I asked Rushing’s mother, Trisha, about the conviction her middle child showed by electing to attend Arizona — by picking the upcoming underdog over the established bluebloods. She first cited the opportunity for Elijah to play with older brother Cruz, who transferred to the UA from Florida earlier in the offseason. She called it a “blessing.”
They then summoned Salpointe's coaching staff, including trainers, to join them. Seven men and women stood behind the Rushings.
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