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Darel Middleton, a tight end from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, verbally committed to Arizona State Monday night. Middleton made the news public via is Twitter account.
I'm glad to say that I've Committed to ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.. #C/o2016 #Big9's ✊ pic.twitter.com/as73VBhld5
— Bubb_9⚡ (@D5TrynnaGoIn) July 7, 2015
Boom!!! Great news for the Sun Devils!
— Todd Graham (@CoachGrahamASU) July 7, 2015
Middleton is ranked as a 4-star recruit by ESPN and 247 sports. ESPN ranks him as the nation's No. 15 athlete, because of his ability to play on the defensive line as well as tight end. 247 sports ranks him as the 13th best tight end in the nation and both recruiting services rank him as a Top-300 player nationally.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Middleton hails from SEC country and collected a multitude of high major offers. Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oregon, Oregon State and South Carolina were all fighting with ASU for the services of Middleton.
Middleton is the ninth commitment for Todd Graham and company in their 2016 recruiting class. He is the first tight end and second pass catcher (Texas WR Jeremy Smith) in this class.
The Sun Devil coaching staff has proven that they will travel anywhere to find good football players. In addition to recruiting California and Arizona, this staff as acquired players from Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Colorado, Oregon and Pennsylvania in recent years.
Just a reminder that Middleton's pledge is verbal and not binding until he signs on the dotted line in February. Below are highlights of the talented tight end.