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The 2013 recruiting class brought Arizona State wide receiver Cameron Smith, and in 2014, the Sun Devils were hoping to add another wide receiver from Texas in Nick Alexander.
However, ASUDevils.com broke the news late Tuesday that Alexander would fail to qualify academically and will instead start his college career at Arizona Western Community College.
Source: ASU WR commit Nick Alexander won't sign tomorrow and instead will go to Arizona Western CC w/ plan of joining #SunDevils in 2 years
— ASUDevils.com (@ASUDevilscom) February 5, 2014
Alexander doesn't project as an academic qualifer. That's reason for going junior college route.
— ASUDevils.com (@ASUDevilscom) February 5, 2014
According to ASUDevils.com, Alexander still plans to enroll at Arizona State after his junior college eligibility is up.
The loss of Alexander meant that Arizona State had the luxury of signing previously a previously uncommitted player, which benefitted the Sun Devils when both Dalvon Stuckey and Darrius Caldwell elected to sign with the Sun Devils. The Sun Devils still have one spot open in their class, but that will presumably go to Kalen Ballage who is expected to announce his college destination on Thursday.
Under Todd Graham, the Sun Devils have emphasized the importance of recruiting in Texas and adding depth to their receiving corps, so losing Alexander hurts.
Alexander was a unique recruit at the wide receiver position because he played in an offense that primarily ran the ball in high school. At Lancaster High School, Alexanders' junior season yielded just 13 receptions for 249 receiving yards and three touchdowns (Alexander's senior stats are not available on Maxpreps).
The Lancaster, Texas native was recruited based on his ability to perform at camps and skills showcases more so than the on-field performances he delivered in high school.
Rivals and Scout are confident in Alexander's ability as both recruiting services list him as a 3-star recruit.
Alexander only had a handful of scholarship offers, but the schools that recruited him are noteworthy. Alexander's Rivals profile lists Illinois, Oklahoma and Washington among his potential college destinations, but he settled on Arizona State back in July. Unfortunately for the Sun Devils, Arizona State will not see his commitment come to fruition in 2014.