Five-star LB names top two

SAN ANTONIO -- It is down to two schools for five-star linebacker Mique Juarez.

The Torrance (Calif.) North standout surprised many after U.S. Army All-American Bowl practice on Monday when he named Ole Miss and UCLA as his two favorites and that he’s basically done with other programs.

“The reason why I picked those two is because I really kind of felt comfortable with those two schools,” Juarez said.

The five-star prospect, who’s rated fifth in the Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour and the top prospect in the state of California, visited Ole Miss and loved his trip to Oxford. That was one of Juarez’s first-ever trips out of California and the Rebels made an impression.

“Ole Miss is great, the SEC, they produce linebackers out there,” Juarez said. “I just felt comfortable out there, getting that type of head start with them.”

The former USC commit has talked highly of UCLA for a long time and this summer coach Jim Mora put on the full-court press during camp when he spent a significant portion of the day with Juarez and his family.

There are also some other major factors that are playing in the Bruins’ favor – and the location cannot hurt.

“Myles Jack is gone and I feel like I can come in,” Juarez said.

Through visits to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Washington as well, the five-star linebacker was trying to figure out whether he’d prefer staying home or seriously consider leaving home.

He still has one option in both categories and will decide from those two.

According to another source, UCLA and Ole Miss are being focused on the most but Alabama, Oklahoma and Washington are being kept in the loop just in case something goes sideways with either top school.