Awrabi looking at schools

During his recent spring break, Sam Awrabi had time to visit USC and UCLA and the Clovis (Calif.) Clovis East linebacker/defensive end was especially blown away by what the Trojans had to offer.

The USC coaching staff liked what they saw in Awrabi - a muscle-bound 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect - and now he hopes they were impressed enough to possibly offer. There could be some more evaluations done before that happens but both sides are definitely interested.

"I got there and they gave me a nice little tour and I met the linebackers coach and it was a great vibe," Awrabi said. "We talked for about 30 minutes and they were talking about me at middle linebacker.

"When they met me and saw my frame and my build they knew I could be one of the best middle linebackers in my class hands-down. Hearing that from them was really exciting and they're going to be at the school soon. They're going to evaluate me in the weight room and then evaluate me at practice and then we'll know from there."

The Rising Stars Camp this summer could be important for Awrabi, who currently has an offer from Hawaii but believes his offer list could significantly expand in May. He said UCLA, Cal, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Oregon State, Nevada, Illinois and others are showing interest.

To get an offer from USC, though, might depend on his performance at its summer camp.

"The deciding factor could be the camp," Awrabi said. "They said 90 percent of their offers are coming at the end of June. The offers they have out now are for the top 10 percent in the nation. That's what I was told.

"From Day 1 talking to the coaches at USC, I loved how they treated me and their vibe. The facilities they're putting in are similar to what Cal is doing and I didn't know they were doing anything like that. I was really impressed. They're putting in a whole new weight room, locker room and training facility."

Awrabi's brother goes to UCLA and the Bruins are definitely interesting, too. He said UCLA likes him at defensive end, the position he plays in high school.

"Academically with UCLA it's a great school," Awrabi said. "My brother goes there and I stayed with him so I've seen everything first hand. In that realm, academically it's great.

"With the football program I think they'd really benefit from a player like me coming in there just like a hard-nosed, high-motor, super-physical player. I really want to see how this season turns out with them and make sure things are a little steadier."