Of the dozens of names that popped up during the University of Washington’s ambitious 2027 football recruiting efforts, no one seemed more certain to choose Montlake than quarterback Caden Jones. <\/p>\n
For two long years, the two-sport athlete from Crean Lutheran High School in the Los Angeles suburbs either stopped by the UW for a football visit, a photo op or a workout, that is when he wasn’t hanging out in Alaska Airlines Arena with the basketball staff and contemplating spending his down time there.<\/p>\n
Sometimes he wasn’t in town for more than a few hours before he was whisked off to the airport and bound for a football camp or a basketball tournament multiple states away.<\/p>\n
Jones posed for the always happy recruiting images with Jedd Fisch, Jimmie Dougherty, JP Losman, Danny Sprinkle and countless others.<\/p>\n
Since July 2024, he held that rare dual UW scholarship offer for football and basketball. He did everything except line up an apartment overlooking the University District and find a new Seattle girl friend running through the athletic facilities.<\/p>\n
Yet on Friday, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Jones revealed the news that he will play football, and perhaps basketball, for the University of Arizona. <\/p>\n
Huh?<\/p>\n Blessed and grateful for this process and everyone that has supported me. With that, I will be committing to University of Arizona! BTFD! @ArizonaFBall<\/a> @GregBiggins<\/a> @adamgorney<\/a> @ChadSimmons_<\/a> @TomLoy247<\/a> @BlairAngulo<\/a> @Zack_Poff_MP<\/a> @BrandonHuffman<\/a> @CoachDoege<\/a> @CoachBrennan<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nwoMkLM3NN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 4\u2b50\ufe0fCaden Jones (@CadenJonesss1) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n For those wondering what caused a disconnect between this long-time recruiting target and the UW, it likely came down to two words.<\/p>\n Blake Roskopf.<\/p>\n While the Huskies appeared to be totally comfortable in bringing in a pair of quarterbacks for this 2027 class, they first obtained a commitment from the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Roskopf, a 4-star prospect from Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He was a priority.<\/p>\n In other words, they tried to have it all.<\/p>\n That might have stung a little for Jones, who in coming off a 3,044-yard, 30-touchdown passing performance as a junior, most certainly envisions himself as a No. 1 guy, even while holding onto 3-star recruiting status.<\/p>\n “I’m still looking for the best fit,” Jones told Rivals in April. <\/p>\n Arizona currently doesn’t have another QB commitment lined up for 2027.<\/p>\n It didn’t hurt that Jones’ older brother, Carter, is a redshirt freshman linebacker in Tucson, but that probably wasn’t a big deciding factor.<\/p>\n Yet he still seemed a UW possibility right up to his official visit on June 5, followed by ensuing trips to Baylor and Arizona. The Wildcats strategically got in on him last and offered up a persuasive sales pitch.<\/p>\n They no doubt informed him how he was their No. 1 guy.<\/p>\n\n
![\"Football\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" "\\"Football\\""){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n