Basha's Joshua Gaines declines Arizona walk-on, opts for Western N.M.

Chandler Basha running back Joshua Gaines said the University of Arizona made a last-ditch appeal early Feb. 4 to see if he would come to Tucson as a preferred walk-on.

Later in the morning, Gaines was at his table inside the Basha gym, flanked by family, ready to sign with Division II Western New Mexico, the only college that offered a scholarship to the rugged back, who helped the Bears win the Open Division state football championship last season.

No offense to Arizona, but Gaines felt all along he was good enough to play at a D-I school on a scholarship right away. Preferred walk-on status doesn't provide an immediate scholarship, but players can eventually earn one.

"It boiled down to where it was best for me, where I felt I would have the best chance to compete on the field as soon as possible," said Gaines, who led Basha in rushing last season with 978 yards (7.8 yards a carry) and 10 TDs, sharing reps in the backfield with highly recruited junior Noah Roberts. "And they were one of the first schools that believed in me, as far as after the spring and summertime.

"It's just taking everything into account, and all of the factors going on."

Gaines will have company in Silver City with two teammates joining him at Western New Mexico University. Jaden Burrell and offensive lineman Tevita Kale also signed with the school. Kale couldn't attend Basha's signing ceremony.

In all, Basha had six more players to go with Dec. 10 signees in the 2026 class moving on to play at four-year colleges.

Cornerback Percy "Trey" Knox III signed Feb. 4 with Division III Washington University of St. Louis, where he also will run track and field. Tight end Zach Lucero signed with D-II Colorado Mesa. And defensive back Drake Margerum signed with NAIA Ottawa University-Surprise.

"I think Josh, as well as our other kids who signed today, have a great opportunity ahead of them," Basha coach Chris McDonald said. "They will make their mark and continue their own journey."

It's harder for more high school seniors to get straightforward Division I scholarship offers in the age of the NCAA transfer portal, where major programs restock their next roster with transferring college players. It leaves many graduating high school players who believe they are Division I-worthy feeling frustrated.

Basha had 21 players in its program heading into the 2025 season with four-year college offers, the most in the state.

Seniors can't wait any longer for the traditional February Signing Day to make their decision among major colleges. By then, those colleges will be onto the 2027, 2028, and 2029 classes, recruiting high school students. Most sign in December and have their high school academic requirements done in time to enroll early and be ready for spring football at the college.

"With the ever-changing landsape of college athletics, it's all about getting an opportunity and then to go make the most of it," McDonald said. "Proud of this senior group, as 16 of them have signed and now have a chance to continue their educational and athletic careers."

Burrell looked at Western New Mexico's roster, figuring his chance at playing would increase next season.

"It's all about seizing your opportunity," he said. "It's like the whole roster left. We'll have a good chance to play."

Knox is glad he found a college where he can play both football and run track. He is one of the fastest sprinters in the state. But he said the main reason he chose to move to the Midwest was because of Washington University's strong academics.

"That was the main thing we wanted to get to," Knox said. "It's high academics.

"It was really just finding the perfect fit and make it the best situation for me."

Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Basha back Joshua gaines signs with D-II Western New Mexico