National Signing Day football tracker: What will Pinnacle TE Duce Robinson do?

Wednesday is the biggest day of the year for Arizona high school football seniors. Most of the top-tier guys signed in December. But there still is suspense.

What will the top-rated 2023 football player in Arizona do?

Phoenix Pinnacle's 6-foot-6, 225-pound Duce Robinson, the top-rated tight end in the country, has deciced to wait beyond Wednesday to make his college pledge. He's got Georgia, USC and Texas all in the mix, waiting, sweating it out to see if they'll get his services.

"Could not decide by today," said Pinnacle basketball coach Charlie Wilde, who coaches Robinson on the basketball team.

There are so many dynamics involved with this three-sport athlete, who can afford to be patient and keep the Power 5s waiting, holding a scholarship for him.

He also is a 5-star baseball player, who oozes Aaron Judge potential hitting a ball. He runs like a deer in the outfield, and the Major League Baseball Draft could steer him on a different path. Would he sign with a team if he goes high enough in the draft? Or will he seize an opportunity to play college football, while also still playing baseball at that college?

Keep coming back for updates as Signing Day rolls on.

For subscribers: Who's left? Top 15 Arizona HS football seniors yet to sign

Showing perseverance

Brophy Prep wide receiver Layton Duncan, who missed most of his senior season due to an injury, committed and signed with Division II Colorado State University-Pueblo, along with Goodyear Desert Edge running back Christopher Cordero and Phoenix Mountain Pointe quarterback Chris Arviso II.

Duncan was on track to have a huge senior season, before the season-ending injury after the first game. He also got hurt early in his junior season and missed a major chunk.

"So proud of Layton," Brophy coach Jason Jewell said. "Losing him early the last two years really hurt our team, as he was one of the best receivers in the state. But his character in those times showed.

"Layton didn't miss a practice. He was there on a scooter at 5:30 a.m., for practice with a smile on his face and coaching up the young guys. He is going to be awesome at Pueblo. I think he can play early and will win a lot of games there."

Chandler signings

Chandler defensive lineman A'mauri Washington signed with Oregon in December, but he was on hand for the Wolves' early-morning signing ceremony, celebrating running back Charles Ennis (Arizona Christian), offensive lineman Matt Bass (Washington University St. Louis) and offensive lineman Nick Martin (Lake Forrest) signings. Offensive lineman Zarius Well and linebacker Dominic Hanger both are taking preferred walk-ons at Arizona.

Top defender taking church route first

Gilbert Highland All-Arizona safety Joseph Allen announced on social media that he intends to go on a two-year church mission, then return to play football at Arizona State.

He might have been the most impactful defensive player in the state, leading Highland to a second straight 6A state championship.

Related: National Signing Day: ASU football tracker

All-Arizona WR Hancock signs with NAU

Higley All-Arizona wide receiver Carter Hancock, who helped the Knights capture the 5A championship, has signed with Northern Arizona. Coach Eddy Zubey said that it is a full scholarship for Hancock, who broke out with more than 1,000 receiving yards and 22 TDs.

Fellow receiver Dominic Esposito, who also had more than 1,000 receiving yards, made his appointment to Army official by signing.

Pinnacle WR Libman announces Stanford pledge

Pinnacle wide receiver Myles Libman, who caught a couple of touchdowns passes in the 6A championship loss to Highland, announced on social media that he has committed to Stanford.

He was offered by former Stanford coach David Shaw, before he stepped down. Troy Taylor was hired to replace Shaw.

Poston Butte OL defers academic scholarhip at NAU

San Tan Valley Poston Butte offensive lineman Cade Alisa, 6-6, 310 pounds, decided to go on a two-year LDS mission, deferring his NAU academic scholarship and accepting at preferreed walkon offer to play for the Lumberjacks out of the 2025 class, Poston Butte coach Dain Thompson said.

Alisa passed on numerous offers, including San Diego and Northern Colorado, Thompson added.

Meanwhile, Poston Butte tight end Connor Lopez, 6-5, 215, passed on offers to accept the PWO from Arizona State, Thompson said. Lopez was offered football scholarships from Western New Mexico and Southwest Minnesota State.

Desert Mountain star walking on at Arizona

Scottsdale Desert Mountain defensive end Nolan Clement, one of the most dominant players in the state, especially in the first half of the season, said he accepted a PWO to Arizona, where he believes he'll be able to make an impact and turn it into a scholarship situation. Clement, 6-3, 225, who had offers from New Mexico, Idaho State, Navy, Nevada and NAU, has 27.5 tackles for losses, 18 sacks, and 37 QB hurries for the Wolves last season.

"Feel really good about going there," Clement said. "I feel that I fit in the defense really well and the staff has a solid plan for me. The best player will play, so I feel good about going in and showing them what I got."

Eastmark TD connection to contiue in college

Mesa Eastmark had one of the more dynamic passing duos in the state in quarterback Mack Molander and Austin Johnston, who led the Firebirds to their first 3A title last season. Now, they'll be temmates at Augustana University in South Dakota, after they signed their national letters. Molander passed for 3,066 yards and 37 TDs with only five interceptions, completing 69% of his passes last season. Johnston caught 77 passes for 1,562 yards and 22 TDs.

Coach Scooter Molander got to play proud dad. But he was also very proud to be part of the first four years at Eastmark, which had its first full senior class to sign national letters of intent.

"Eastmark Football had it’s first full four years’ Senior Class Football Signing Day," Scooter wrote in a text message. "We are extremely proud of what they have accomplished, yes, the first State Championship Team is school history, and equally important, the quality Men they are becoming.

"In addition to Alex Campos WR going to Luther College, Kaiden McCarty DB going to Ottawa University, Diego Rodriquez RB going to Lake Forrest College, Jacob Trampp going to Southern Utah University, Mack Molander QB and Austin Johnston WR will continue their amazing passing connection at Augustana University. Many more of our Senior Football Players will sign to play at the next level soon. We are thankful for all of the support we have received from the Eastmark Community."

Lake Havasu RB/LB taking ASU PWO

Lake Havasu All-Arizona running back Isaac Stopke announced he'll be continuing his college career at ASU. He had committed late in the season to Drake, which does not give athletic scholarships. So when ASU offered a preferred walk-on, he took it. He said he'll be playing linebacker for the Sun Devils.

"First off I want to thank the whole Drake coaching staff for the opportunity," Stopke said. "When I received my in-state offers, I realized that stay in state was not only a better option but the best.

"From the financial situation with Drake being a non-scholarship school to being that far away from home, I have always wanted to play for Coach (Jason) Mohns and just communicating with him and Coach (A.J.) Cooper, I felt that it was in my best interest to attend ASU to continue my academic and athletic career. I'm super excited to get to Tempe and start working with the whole coaching staff."

Stopke, 6-foot, 215 pounds, ran for 2,400 yards and 35 TDs his senior year. He went both ways for the Knights, and recorded 21 solo tackles and an interceptions.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert