SAN DIEGO — Marcel Jones did envision himself attending Arizona, but he never wanted to wear pads.

The 6-foot-7, 310-pound sophomore was intrigued about the idea of playing for legendary coach Lute Olson and the storied Arizona basketball program.

But as soon as the teenager's dreams shifted away from hoops and he began focusing on football, the Wildcats faded from his mind. The NU offensive tackle from Phoenix said he never really considered Arizona for college football.

At the time, Jones had a reason to be skeptical. As he finished up his senior year of high school, the Wildcat football team was trying to avoid its seventh consecutive losing season.

Eric Hagg, who's from the Phoenix area, took only one trip to Arizona — for a basketball camp. Prince Amukamara, also from Phoenix, never visited the Wildcats during his recruiting process.

Jones considered Arizona State. Hagg and Amukamara did, too.

They ultimately settled on Nebraska. And as it turns out, the three Arizona natives are expected to make major contributions during Wednesday's Holiday Bowl against arguably their home state's most recognizable university.

They were plucked out of the state capital by NU without much resistance from the Wildcats, though Arizona may not have had much of a chance to attract them three years ago.

“Right now, they're really good,” Jones said. “That program's really getting turned around.”

To improve, Mike Stoops and his Arizona staff have been leaving the state for much of their recruiting work.

Of the 108 players listed on this year's Wildcat roster, just 13 are from in-state. Sophomore place-kicker Alex Zendejas attended Ironwood High School with Hagg.

Three Arizona natives have made nonbinding pledges to the Wildcats' 2010 recruiting class, according to rivals.com. The 18 others expected to sign are from out of the state.

Give it time, though. Amukamara said Phoenix-area high schools — like Chandler and Hamilton — are producing more football talent.

“I think it's definitely progressing,” Amukamara said. “There are some powerhouse high schools. It's coming.”

Amukamara, Hagg and Jones were part of a successful five-player recruiting haul by the NU staff three years ago. The two missing pieces from Phoenix's fab five — Will Yancy and Jaivorio Burkes — are still on Nebraska's campus, but not with the team for undisclosed reasons.

The Huskers have benefited from the efforts of the other three. Assuming Jones' ankle has healed, he, Amukamara and Hagg will start Wednesday.

And they'll all have family making about a six-hour drive to San Diego for support.

But you don't have to remind those three that they were one last-second field goal away from playing in the Fiesta Bowl, right in metropolitan Phoenix. Had Nebraska defeated Texas in the Big 12 title game, the Huskers would be playing their bowl game in University of Phoenix Stadium, a 63,400-seat venue that opened in 2006.

That's in Glendale, Ariz., no more than 10 minutes from Hagg's house. His high school graduation occurred in that facility.

“Oh, that would have been sweet,” he said.

Instead he, Amukamara and Jones have something to strive for in 2010.

“That would have been really nice to go back home and play in front of my family and all my friends,” Jones said. “I'm kind of sad I didn't get to do that, but it's more motivation for next year.”

Contact the writer:

402-473-9585, jon.nyatawa@owh.com