Castle’s Koehler Picks U. Of Arizona Because They Care

Wednesday - January 16, 2008
By Jack Danilewicz
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Solomon Koehler
Solomon Koehler

The deluge of phone calls, text messages and letters has finally subsided for Castle High senior Solomon Koehler. The state’s most-sought-after prep football recruit verbally committed to Arizona recently, ending an intense recruiting battle that had also centered around Hawaii and Oregon State, among others.

In the end, Koehler and his family cited the University of Arizona’s SALT center (Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques), which offers state-of-the-art services to students diagnosed with learning disabilities, as the key component to his choosing to play for the Wildcats.

“It can be a bit much - you begin to find out who really wants you and who just thinks it might be nice to have you,” Koehler’s father, Rick, said of his son’s recruitment. “Arizona was the most loyal. We didn’t share that he has a learning disability (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) with everyone. Some (schools) may have thought he wouldn’t qualify (academically), but Arizona stuck with him. He is extremely loyal to those who are loyal to him.


“The program offers him the best chance for success academically,” he added. “The academic assistance they already have in place helped him make his decision. We all know he can play, but we want him to be able to get his degree.”

Added Solomon, who announced his decision on national television while at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas:

“Football doesn’t last forever - I’ll need something to fall back on. Their academic support is going to help me. Anything they can help you with, they’ll help you with.”

Koehler expressed relief with making his decision. He had taken an official visit to Arizona Nov. 15 and another to San Diego State Dec. 14 to help him decide. He had put his recruitment on hold to some degree during the fall to avoid undue distractions while competing for Castle.

“The season came first, and they understood that,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure with signing day coming close (in February). When I finally made my choice, a big burden had been lifted from my shoulders.”

A two-way standout for the Knights, Koehler ranks first in the state overall by the recruiting service Rivals.com and sixth nationally among offensive linemen. He will play on the defensive line at Arizona. Koehler, who packs 315 pounds into his solid 6-foot-2 frame, has continued his weight training since Castle’s season ended to prepare himself for Division I football.


Koehler currently lifts four days a week. “I enjoy it,” he said. “My strength is my strong suit.”

With classes starting up for Castle’s spring semester, school also is much on his mind.“I’m trying to focus on my studies. Without my grades, I can’t go there (to Arizona).”

Koehler will major in criminal justice at Arizona with the hopes of possibly becoming a parole officer when his football career has run its course. “I’d like to be able to help kids who would like a second chance,” he said.

Arizona head coach Mike Stoops is expected to make a home visit to the Koehler family in the coming weeks. The Wildcats are coming off a 5-7 season this past fall. Koehler is Arizona’s 22nd verbal commitment in the class of 2008 and their second-highest ranked commitment behind running back Ryan Bass of Corona, Calif.

 

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