Sun Devils in the lead for local Chandler Hamilton lineman
The recruitment process between offensive lineman Hunter Mayginnes and the hometown school has been moving at a rapid pace since Arizona State offered Mayginnes nearly a month ago. An unofficial visit to Tempe today did nothing to curb the enthusiasm for this Huskies’ player regarding ASU.
“Today I got to see the new (football) facility,” Mayginnes said of the visit where he was accompanied by his mother and siblings. “It’s pretty close to done, it will be open in about two weeks and not a lot of players got to see it yet so I did feel a little spoiled. They have a barber shop in the locker room which is amazing. The weight room is three times the size as their weight room now, and that really stood out to a guy like me.
“It was a lot of fun seeing the facility.”
Aside from the obvious proximity and familiarity factors, there are other aspects concerning ASU that have been resonating strongly with the Hamilton player.
“Coach Todd Graham is a great man of respect,” Mayginnes remarked. “He’s not all about just making you a good football, but also an honest and trustworthy man. It’s not all about football, but also about you being a good father, a good husband. That really stood out to me.
“Coach Sale (ASU’s offensive line coach) has believed in me ever since he offered me, and I would say he believed in me even before he offered me. I went to two camps and showed him that I’m worthy of an offer and he likes me for who I am on and off the field. He’s a great guy and we have a great relationship.”
Mayginnes commented that Sale liked his versatility and potential.
“He said that I can play at both guard and tackle,” Mayginnes commented. “If I lost a little weight I could be a better football player and a better athlete. He likes me at right tackle because that is where I play at high school.
“He said that he likes my aggressiveness, my quick feet, and how I’m a technician who plays with a lot of physicality. Earlier last season I was a little more cautious about what I was doing, and now I feel I can be more aggressive in my play.”
Idaho is the only other school that has offered Mayginnes to date, and the lineman feels that there is a good reason for that.
“I haven’t got a lot of attention after ASU offered me,” Mayginnes noted. “I don’t know if they (other schools) are scared because I’m so high on ASU right now but I’m pretty sure that they are nervous about offering me.
“I’ve been talking a little to Arizona, UCLA, USC and San Diego State. I don’t have any visits set up, but I might be checking the Pac-12 schools. I’d like to make my decision before the season, but I’d like to talk to my family before.”
When asked if ASU is leading for his services, Mayginnes replied: “Yes, they are.”
With a new head coach, Dick Baniszewski, at the helm for Chandler Hamilton following a tumultuous off-season Mayginnes admitted that the Huskies will play with the proverbial chip on their shoulder and that the team’s chemistry is now better than ever.
“It’s my senior season and I want to go out with a bang,” Mayginnes said. “Our team is going to come out swinging every single time and we won’t back down from anyone. We really care about each other this year. If you were in the locker room with us now, you really get that vibe that everybody cares for each other. It can be Tyler Shough or the fifth-string quarterback, everybody loves each other.”
When settling on the school of his choice, Mayginnes stated that he’s simply looking for the school he feels will offer the best fit and the most comfort and that his family’s opinion will play a significant part in his decision.
“Being close to home is a big key, I love my mom,” Mayginnes explained. “She has always been there for me. My brother is a big influence on me and he’s always beside me too. I really love the Arizona weather. Education is very important too.”
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