4-star running back latest to back out on Cats, will go to ASU

The UA's on-again, off-again relationship with Ryan Bass is over. Bass, a four-star running back from Corona, Calif., has gone back on his verbal commitment to the UA and will sign with Arizona State.
Bass made the decision Sunday following an official visit to Tempe; he is expected to anchor the Sun Devils' 2008 recruiting class.

"That's where I really want to play. I've felt like that for a long time now," Bass told Rivals.com recruiting service. "My parents loved it out there, too."

Rivals lists Bass, a 5-foot-10-inch, 186-pound senior, as the No. 2 all-purpose back in the nation. He rushed for 2,351 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior at Centennial High School. Bass teamed with quarterback Matt Scott, who has committed to UA, to lead the Huskies to the CIF Division I state championship game last month.

Scott told the Star on Sunday that Bass' decision won't affect his commitment to the UA. Scott turned down an offer from the University of Michigan last week.

"I was committed before he actually committed, so that doesn't change a thing for me," Scott said.
Scott said he "had a little idea" that Bass would switch to ASU this weekend, and wasn't surprised to hear the news.

In fact, Bass' switch was expected for weeks.

The running back continued to show interest in ASU even after verbally committing to Arizona in November. Bass visited Tempe over the weekend with two Centennial teammates, linebackers Brandon Magee and Shelly Lyons. All three players committed to the Sun Devils before flying home Sunday.

Bass is the third member of Arizona's 2008 recruiting class to spurn the Wildcats for their in-state rivals.

Four-star safety Jarrell Barbour broke his verbal commitment and chose ASU in August because he said the Sun Devils' coaches had a better plan to get him into school. Another four-star recruit, Gerell Robinson, backed out in October. Robinson visited Notre Dame and Oregon before choosing the Sun Devils.

UA coaches will likely sign another running back before national letter-of-intent day on Feb. 6.
Still, Bass' departure is distressing for the UA. Just a few months ago, Bass said he felt "very confident about my decision" to attend the UA.

"I can bring a lot of talent and, you know, I'm a hard worker," he said in November. "I'm going to try to help this team get to that Rose Bowl next year."

Now, Bass will try to do it as a Sun Devil.