Four-Star Quarterback Manny Wilkins Gives Verbal Commitment to Arizona State

Two days after learning that local quarterback recruit Kyle Allen would not consider signing with Arizona State, Todd Graham received much happier news.

On Thursday, four-star quarterback Manny Wilkins announced a verbal commitment to Arizona State to join the Sun Devils' 2014 recruiting class.

Scout.com ranks Wilkins as the No. 15 quarterback for the class of 2014. Though the California native is projected as a pro-style player, he certainly has dual-threat capabilities.

Wilkins made two visits to the campus at Arizona State, including one over Memorial Day weekend. Even though he left without a scholarship offer, the Sun Devil coaching staff extended one his way this week and Wilkins was quick to accept.

The 6-foot-3, 185 lb. recruit also has offers from Arizona, Colorado State, Utah State, and Wyoming, and it looked like the Wildcats had the inside track before this weekend. However, Wilkins built up a solid report with offensive coordinator Mike Norvell and decided to give his verbal to the Sun Devils.

Receiving a commitment from Wilkins is big news, but the Sun Devil coaching staff will have to work to maintain their relationship with him. Last year, Arizona State had a verbal commitment from quarterback Joshua Dobbs, but Dobbs spurned the Sun Devils on signing day and elected to enroll at Tennessee.

Wilkins' highlight video makes him look like a man playing amongst boys, and that is definitely the case.

The rising senior plays for San Marin High School in Novato, California, which plays in the Marin County Athletic League. Though the MCAL is not known for regularly producing elite college talent, the league's Back of the Year award went to highly touted Cal quarterback Jared Goff this fall.

As for Wilkins, he was named Second Team All-League, and he figures to improve upon that distinction this year.

Wilkins is also the second four-star recruit to verbally commit to Arizona State for 2014. He joins defensive back Jaleel Wadood who committed to the Sun Devils back in January.

The Buzz on Wilkins

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hopefully Wilkins ends up being awesome so after 300-yard, 5-TD games we can nonchalantly say, "That's just Manny being Manny".</p>&mdash; Joe Healey (@JoeHealey42) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeHealey42/status/340203446823165954">May 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Manny Wilkins' stock was only going to rise more following other QB commits. ASU wasted no time landing the four-star signal caller.</p>&mdash; Devils Digest (@DevilsDigest) <a href="https://twitter.com/DevilsDigest/status/340191974550282240">May 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I've followed Bay Area recruits closely for five years, and few have been as hyped as @<a href="https://twitter.com/manny_wilkins11">manny_wilkins11</a>Big pickup for @<a href="https://twitter.com/footballasu">footballasu</a></p>&mdash; Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) <a href="https://twitter.com/KO_Crowley/status/340224209613623296">May 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"Reminds us a little of Oregon’s Marcus Mariota in terms of methods, but (Manny) Wilkins may be a bit more fundamentally sound"- ESPN</p>&mdash; Brad Denny (@BDenny29) <a href="https://twitter.com/BDenny29/status/340207408175513600">May 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Wilkins and his family are aware of what happened with Josh Dobbs and ASU earlier this year and said that isn't a possibility with him.</p>&mdash; ASUDevils.com (@ASUDevilscom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASUDevilscom/status/340192286711373824">May 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>First time this century that an ASU recruiting class received pledges from two four-star players prior to June @<a href="https://twitter.com/ogleel_2">ogleel_2</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/manny_wilkins11">manny_wilkins11</a></p>&mdash; Devils Digest (@DevilsDigest) <a href="https://twitter.com/DevilsDigest/status/340209607169433600">May 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/manny_wilkins11">manny_wilkins11</a> Welcome to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SunDevil">#SunDevil</a> Family! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23ASU">#ASU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23GoDevils">#GoDevils</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NorCal">#NorCal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Represent">#Represent</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23EastBay">#EastBay</a></p>&mdash; Jedi ASU (@JediASU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JediASU/status/340207880026329088">May 30, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Wilkins' 2012 Highlight Video

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