Van Nuys (Calif.) Birmingham athlete Arlis Boardingham is one of the top un-committed players out West and has four schools on his short list.
Boardingham has been one of our favorite players for the a couple of years now. We love his profile as a two-way player, two-sport guy and you won’t find too many athletes more productive.
Birmingham lost a tough one to Leuzinger last weekend but you know you played a good game when coaches from other teams are singling you out for your performance. We heard from a handful of coaches talking up Boardingham saying things like, ‘he almost single handedly won that game for Birmingham.’
He caught seven balls for 156 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for a touchdown, had a fumble recovery for another score and added six tackles, two for loss on the defensive side of the ball.
At 6-3.5, 235 pounds, Boardingham has a frame that reminds you a little of former NFL tight end Vernon Davis. He clocked a 4.71-40, 4.53 shuttle and jumped 36” in the vertical at a Stack Sports Showcase last November.
A few schools liked him early on as a linebacker but he prefers the offensive side of the ball and that’s the position he’s currently being recruited by the four schools he said have been most consistently recruiting him.
“I’m talking the most right now with Utah, Colorado Texas and Arizona State,” Boardingham said. “I already took an official visit to Texas in the summer and I would love to visit the other three schools if I can before making a decision.”
Boardingham broke down what stands out about the four programs:
ASU- “Coach Hill is my primary recruiter right now and I have a good relationship with him. He’ll reach out before a game, wish me luck and i like ASU a lot. I watched their first game and I like how they play. They’re physical and have a tough running game but throw the ball well too. Coach Breneman was the coach I was talking with early on but it’s more coach Hill now. I know there’s some things going on with the ASU staff but I still like them and don’t feel any differently about them.”
Colorado- “With Colorado, I don’t really have just one coach I’m talking with, it’s the whole staff. They were one of the first schools to show interest in me and offer me so they grabbed my attention early on in the process. Like with Utah, I like the energy at Colorado too. It’s a good program that I think is on the rise and I’ve heard good things about Boulder and how nice it is there.”
Texas- “That was my one official visit and I loved it there. Jeff Banks is my lead recruiter and we talk weekly. Texas is a special place and I had a really strong comfort level there. Texas football is a big deal and everyone is really passionate there. I love the big crowds and it’s one of those places that I could really see myself at for the next few years.”
Utah- “I like the energy at Utah and how they play. They play hard and fast and are always a physical team. Coach Harding is my lead recruiter and I talk with Sam Morrissette too on a weekly basis. I like the offense there, the scheme and how I would fit in and I’m definitely hoping to visit for a game at time point this year.”
As for a timeframe for a decision, Boardingham said he’s in no rush right now.
“I want to wait until after the football season,” Boardingham said. “I want to watch these teams, see how they play and see how I fit. Ideally, I’ll take all my visits, along with my parents, during a game weekend. Once the visits are done, I’ll be able to evaluate all my options and then make a decision.”
