After National Signing Day, Arizona State claimed another top-five recruiting class, including four highly talented recruits. Number one pound-for-pound wrestler Richard Figueroa and top-five recruit Cael Valencia headlined the class.

Despite Arizona State being front runners for Figueroa and Valencia, Jones and Pritts’ nerves shook until they signed the dotted line. Once the two future Devils signed, they felt relief and excitement. Said Jones:

It was a lot of fun, obviously, to sign Cael and Richie. They're two of the best in the country and aspire to be the best in the world. We are excited about them coming.

Figueroa led off the recruiting success after verbally committing a couple of years ago. Despite verbally committing, Pritts kept his foot on the gas pedal over the years. According to Pritts, he showed Figueroa the strong leadership built around ASU and Sunkist wrestling. Pritts’ pitch emphasized wrestlers, coaches, and administrators can enter and leave the program, but the leadership is stronger than ever. Figueroa’s extreme confidence and style also match Jones’ vision for the next best wrestler in ASU and Sunkist history.

“He's got great technique and wrestles all three positions really well,” Jones said. “Plus, we all know how much hard work is coming ahead of him to do it at the next level because there are the college and the Olympic levels. He's on that trajectory, and I think he certainly has the gifts to do it.”

Watch Figs win the prestigious Doc B tournament in January of 2020:

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Since Figueroa’s tracks aim toward the Olympics, he has a target on himself and Arizona State. However, this is nothing new for Figueroa. 

“He's had a target on his back since day one,” Pritts said. “He didn't just start winning. He’s been winning his whole life. So when he comes in here, it's just a target at another stage, but it's old news to him.”

Valencia follows Figueroa from California to Tempe. With Valencia signing, the Sun Devils captured the trifecta (Zahid, Anthony, Cael). However, Valencia comes in with a different story than his older brothers. Instead of wrestling at three years old, Valencia did not step on the mat until middle school. Despite starting later, his rise to the top has been impressive.

According to Pritts, Cael’s work ethic has shown similarities to Anthony and Zahid. Pritts believes that Arizona State can develop Cael into another explosive Sun Devil legend. On the other hand, Jones realized the recruitment of Cael is enormous for the future. Cael’s signing to ASU will be an essential story to future recruits question the program. 

“When sets of brothers come to a program, it cuts through the recruiting,” Jones said. “When the little brother comes, it tells you a lot about the program. We're doing things right in the program if the little brother who could have gone anywhere in America said I want to go to Arizona State because I believe in what they're doing.”

Watch Cael defeat future Sun Devil teammate Max Wilner in the finals of the 2020 edition of 5 Counties:

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Jones’ vision of Cael aligned with Zahid and Anthony’s success too. According to Jones, Zahid and Anthony paved the Sun Devil legacy for Cael. Therefore, Cael’s work ethic, high potential, and brothers have pushed Jones to believe that Cael can complete his career as a superstar as well.

The stars did not finish with two of the top-five. The Sun Devils currently hold down two more key additions, Carter Dibert and Max Wilner.

Dibert follows former Sun Devils Josh Maruca and Josh Shields from Franklin Regional High to ASU. Dibert provides young depth behind Brandon Courtney, Cleveland Belton, Michael McGee, and more lightweights.

Wilner finished off the California recruits. Wilner provides much-needed youth in the middleweight classes. With Anthony Valencia, Cade Belshay, and Kordell Norfleet in their final year, Wilner will be the future.