Devon Modster followed one of the classic scenarios in high school football recruiting to his Pac-12 elation.
The Tesoro junior quarterback flashed his potential as an underclassman, continued to progress over the summer and, after playing well in the first couple games of this season, earned a scholarship offer.
This week, Arizona of the Pac-12 Conference became the first college to offer Modster, and the timing seems to follow what players often talk about during the recruiting process. Once they’re on a college’s radar, the program observes how they play early in the season before taking the next step in recruiting.
For Modster, the third game of his junior season happened to be last week’s 28-14 upset of Upland.
“I think (the game) helped. He played well in front of a national audience against a really good opponent,” Tesoro coach Matt Poston said. “I think they (Arizona) saw the first couple of games from his junior year and said, ‘OK, it’s time to offer.’”
Modster, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound dual-threat quarterback, said Arizona watched him throw at Tesoro in the spring and indicated it would stay in touch.
In the Upland game, Modster completed 19 of 32 passes for 247 yards, including a 10-yard TD to receiver Jake Smeltzer. He also rushed 10 times for 41 yards, including two TDs.
Arizona offered five days later.
“I was just excited and beyond blessed,” Modster said. “I was just hoping they would offer.”
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
