Ryan Koziol, who?s one of the top Class of 2012 prospects in the country, has verbally committed to the University of Arizona. The 6-foot-3, 165-pound SS/RHP from Brother Rice HS made himself one of the nation?s most promising junior prospects over the summer and fall when showed to be a top-level two-way player at several big events.

Koziol was one of nine players selected to the 2011 18U National Team Trials in September when he tore it up at the 2010 National Team Identification Series trials at USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. Playing on USA Baseball?s at-large team, the left-handed hitting Koziol opened the weekend with a pair of doubles and finished 5-for-12 with three doubles and five RBI. He was also lights out on the mound in an inning work, pitching at 87-89 mph with a three-pitch repertoire. Later in the fall at the Under Armour Preseason All-American Camp, Koziol sat at 89-90 with his fastball.

A starter since his freshman year at Brother Rice, Koziol enjoyed a stellar sophomore campaign when he posted an 8-0 record on the mound while batting .410 with 40 RBI at the plate. Koziol is the first Illinois player to commit to the University of Arizona since Ian Krol in 2009. Five of the top 10 players in Illinois? Class of 2012 have already made their college commitments.