Dowling still has Pac-12 leader
UCLA is still the favorite for Sean Dowling but the Fallbrook, Calif., offensive tackle said he doesn't want to make a decision too soon.
Even after seeing four-star offensive tackle Erik Bunte commit to the Bruins recently, Dowling is going to take his time, see what other offers come in and then make his choice later on.
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"I think I'm going to wait," Dowling said. "UCLA is definitely still my top pick so far but I want to keep my options open because there are still offers I might get hopefully. There might be a school that comes along and pops up and I might like it.
"It's a little tough waiting because I do like UCLA. I saw Erik Bunte committed the other week and I was nervous wondering if they needed more tackles but I wasn't paranoid about it. Erik Bunte is a great player and would be a great teammate."
Dowling, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound prospect who visited UCLA for its recent junior day, said his main reason for waiting is because so many more schools are showing interest in him.
The Fallbrook standout said Boston College, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Nevada are all getting involved and he wants to see which schools offer. So far, UCLA, Washington State, Colorado, San Diego State and Navy have offered.
"I think that's the best option right now," Dowling said.
But UCLA still might be tough to beat in the end. Dowling said he really likes the Bruins and he's developing a strong relationship with assistant coach Adrian Klemm which could go a long way in his decision-making process.
"It's a great campus," Dowling said.
"What I like the most about UCLA is my relationship with coach Klemm. He's a really good guy to talk to. I feel I can relate to him and he has three Super Bowl rings so you can't say he's not a good coach, can't say he didn't accomplish anything. Three Super Bowl rings speak for themselves."