Bierria has Oregon State in front

Keishawn Bierria isn't one that poured over his options early in the process. He's never had a strong favorite or a heavy lean. His recruitment has been a step-by-step process. First, he waited for offers to show up. Then, he identified campuses to visit. And now that his first trip is in the rearview, the race to land his commitment has a full-fledged leader.

Even if it's by default.

"Oregon State is definitely my No. 1," Bierria said after wrapping up his official visit on Sunday. "I mean, I haven't seen any other schools, but they're my top school right now."

According to the three-star linebacker, this weekend's official visit to Corvallis was the standard tour. He watched some film, met some coaches and explored the town. Aside from saying the campus was much bigger than he imagined, there was now "wow" moment. Instead, he says it was a combination of things that catapulted the Beavers to the top of his list.

"It went pretty good," he said. "I met everyone. I liked it. I met the coaches and the academic advisor people. It was really a good trip."

Arizona State will have its chance to knock Oregon State from the pedestal soon enough, though. Bierria is set to arrive in Tempe for an official visit on Jan. 18. While there, he intends to use his experience on the Beavers' campus as a measuring stick of sorts. To be the champ, you have to beat that champ and all that jazz.

"I'm taking the trip to see another point of view," Bierria said. "I want to be able to compare Oregon State to another school, so I'm going to take that trip to see. I've been in contact with ASU as much as I've been in contact with Oregon State. I just chose them to go second."

The only other official visit on Bierria's radar is an unscheduled one to San Diego State. He says he'd like to finalize a date for that in the coming days. Once that is in the books, though, he'll put an end to his recruitment in short order.

"I'm going to get it out of the way before signing day," he said. "I mean, if it goes to signing day, oh well. I'm not trying to go all the way until then, though. The most important thing to me is the chemistry with the coaches and that feeling of being at home."

Bierria, who played his high school career at Harbor City (Calif.) Narebonne, claims seven scholarship offers in total. As a senor, he recorded 87 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles.