Vasquez headed to ASU in wake of Akey move

THE DEPARTURE OF ROBB AKEY to become the head coach at Idaho has resulted in Luis Vasquez changing his oral commitment from Washington State and ultimately signing with ASU. A decorated junior college defensive end, Vasquez had verbally committed to WSU but when news of Akey's move came out on the eve of the junior college Signing Day, everything changed.

With the JC Signing Day period beginning on Dec. 20, Vasquez delayed his signing to WSU when news broke Dec. 19 that Akey had been hired as the Vandals' next coach. Vasquez told Scout.com he signed with ASU yesterday afternoon, one week after news leaked on Akey's hiring and six days after mid-year transfers were eligible to sign with D-IA schools.

"Coach Akey, he left to go to Idaho and that was one of the big things, I thought that was going to be my man for the next two years," said Vasquez shortly before signing with ASU. "Signing Day came and he wasn't going to be there. And coach Erickson is an NFL coach and what better way to get there than with an NFL coach."

Vasquez expressed disappointment he didn't hear from Akey or Washington State when the Idaho news broke, although schools are not allowed by the NCAA to place a phone call to prospects during the dead period that began on Dec. 18. Prospects are allowed to call schools at any time during the recruiting calendar year.

D-line coach Grady Stretz was one of two assistants retained by incoming ASU coach Dennis Erickson, and had told Vasquez that Erickson and the Sun Devils were still interested.

"Coach Stretz had told me to call him if anything came up, give me a call and something did come up with coach Akey's leaving. I gave them a call and they were quick to respond," said Vasquez.

Vasquez, a two-time JC All American out of Arizona Western, will have two-to-play-two at Arizona State.

Luis Vasquez