RECRUITING: Palo Verde's Blake commits to Northern Arizona

Palo Verde senior safety Tyrone Blake has orally committed to Northern Arizona, he said Tuesday.

Blake chose the Lumberjacks over a scholarship offer from Southern Utah. He also received interest from Utah State and Portland State.

“The way coaches talked about that program and how dedicated they are, I really like,” Blake said. “My best fit is Northern Arizona; I have a chance to play as a freshman.”

Blake has already made an unofficial visit to the Flagstaff, Ariz., campus, but will officially visit the school in January.

Players are not bound by oral commitments. The earliest Blake can sign with any school is Feb. 3.

The 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pound Blake starred at running back for the Panthers, rushing for 926 yards and 15 touchdowns and catching 13 passes for 114 yards and two TDs. He also passed for 188 yards and three scores.

But Blake’s college future is at safety, where he had 80 tackles, five interceptions and one sack as a senior.

“That’s his position at the next level,” Panthers coach Darwin Rost said. “If he bulked up a bit, he could end up playing some outside linebacker.

“I definitely believe he’s more of a defensive player than an offensive player.”

Blake also said the Lumberjacks envision him making an impact as a kick and punt returner.

Palo Verde went 10-2 overall and 7-1 in the Northwest League this season before losing 38-28 at Bishop Gorman in the Class 4A Sunset Region semifinals.

GODKIN COMMITS, WAITS — Palo Verde senior defensive end Daniel Godkin said Monday his oral commitment to UNR is “nearly 100 percent,” but he’ll make an official visit to Navy in January as well.

Godkin plans to visit UNR the weekend of Dec. 12.

“I’d say it’s pretty solid as of now,” Godkin said of his commitment, which came last week. “I’m just kind of waiting things out.

“But as of now, the Wolf Pack is who I’m staying with. Great academic school, great football tradition with Chris Ault being the head coach. It feels right for me; it’s not too far away from home.”

In addition to UNR and Navy, Godkin also has received scholarship offers from UNLV, Wyoming, Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.

Though Godkin played middle linebacker this season for Palo Verde, he said UNR has recruited him as a defensive end. He played defensive end as a junior, and UNR extended a scholarship offer to him after that season.

“Linebacker was definitely something I got used to very quickly,” he said. “You get more tackles and you’re in on more plays.”

The 6-4, 225-pound Godkin had 103 tackles, two sacks and one interception as a senior. Rivals.com ranks him with three stars and the No. 7 overall prospect in Nevada.