Ahead of another busy weekend, there is a lot going on with top California prospects. Here’s the latest intel on many big names:
The new top-rated prospect in the California state rankings, Wright remains committed to Georgia – a pledge he made last summer to the Bulldogs – but according to sources it would be a surprise if he ends up in Athens. Wright is visiting Michigan on Thursday and that trip could change things but Oregon still very much looks like the team to beat. His relationship with position coach Rashad Wadood plus coach Dan Lanning’s push has been significant. Miami is also in this and cannot be counted out.
Advertisement
After flip-flopping his visit plans from Texas to Michigan and back to Texas this weekend, the four-star defensive lineman is expected in Austin for a very important visit which could determine how high the Longhorns are going to be in his recruitment. Fakatou has Oregon in the top spot after his recent visit but has a penchant of moving teams way up after taking a trip there as Notre Dame will be his final one next weekend. USC seems to be sliding again after a recent uptick especially if Mekai Brown commits there on Friday.
There has been a lot of chatter about Texas recently and it makes sense because Currie has loved his visits there plus former Sierra Canyon teammate Richard Wesley is now playing in Austin. But the word is that Ohio State has the edge in his recruitment and the idea of being the first Sierra Canyon player to star for the Buckeyes is making a major impression. Currie has also raved about position coach Larry Johnson and called him “the LeBron James of football.”
Advertisement
We’ll circle back here after Washington and Texas A&M visits but the top three of USC, Notre Dame and UCLA is still strong and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if this ended up being a Trojans vs. Fighting Irish battle. An awesome visit to Westwood with the new coaching staff muddies the water a little bit but he has phenomenal, long-lasting connections at Notre Dame and USC has come back around and could be looking at Williams as the icing on its defensive back cake.
The four-star safety has been committed to Notre Dame since the fall and there’s no compelling evidence yet that Terry is backing off that pledge but according to a source, a round of official visits will be coming up. If Mike Mickens stayed in South Bend, his recruitment might be over but Terry is getting to know new position coach Aaron Henry. UCLA is making a major push along with Oklahoma, Arizona State and others so it will be something to watch.
Advertisement
UCLA and Cal have moved to the top of Williams’ list especially after recent visits to both programs. The idea of playing up the road from his family and for a new coaching staff filled with energy and excitement under coach Bob Chesney is a serious consideration. Cal offers much of the same stuff with Tosh Lupoi there and Williams loves the DB history and success in Berkeley. He’s at Arizona State this weekend and that could definitely move the needle since he’ll reunite with defensive assistant Demetrice Martin, who Williams calls “like an uncle.”
Michigan, Oregon and Cal have been the schools most mentioned in Johnson’s recruitment but the Wolverines and the Golden Bears could have a slight edge at this point after his latest round of visits. With Michigan, Johnson has known new position coach Jernaro Gilford basically from the beginning of his recruitment and that carries a ton of weight. Plus his brother, Derrick, went to Oklahoma so leaving home isn’t a major issue. But Cal is pouring it on really thick and a recent trip to Berkeley could not have gone better.
Advertisement
Originally from Texas but playing in California now, Johnson will start his official visit schedule May 15-17 at UCLA as the Crean Lutheran standout has been targeted by the new Bruins’ coaching staff as well. In June, the four-star will head to Kentucky (June 12-14) and then Arizona (June 19-21). Something else to watch is that Crean Lutheran QB Caden Jones is also very high on Arizona so maybe a package deal could be brewing in Tucson.
Arizona State, BYU, Cal, Kansas and Oklahoma round out the top five for Felila, who has had the Sooners highest on his list for some time and things don’t seem to be changing. The Oak Hills standout who is a bulldog on the defensive line has a commitment date of May 27 and while others cannot be counted out since he has other great relationships, Oklahoma is definitely the strongest.
Advertisement
Staten took a short right ride to Berkeley last week and loved the energy at practice at Cal and while the Golden Bears remain a contender for him, the McClymonds standout doesn’t have an official visit scheduled there. That could be a sign of lower interest or it’s so close he doesn’t need one but Staten will see Washington State, UNLV, Colorado State, Minnesota and UCLA through June.
