The Devils needed a big National Signing Day. They needed it to salvage a class that on Tuesday, ranked last in the Pac-12. They needed it to overcome their lack of action recruiting in Arizona. They needed it to give fans a real reason to jump on head coach Herm Edwards’ train.
Edwards role in recruiting has been solidified: Like Mariano Rivera, he’s the closer. That leaves the rest of Edwards’ staff, like most around the country, in charge of initial identification of possible recruits and solidifying early relationships.
On both fronts, Devils’ linebacker coach Antonio Pierce had a head start.