Five-star narrows it to four

Much has been speculated lately and many rumors circulated on five-star defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa (6-3, 234) from Portland (Ore.) David Douglas. There were rumors that he was close to making decision, but the reality is he has narrowed down his options to four schools.

Odighizuwa told Rivals.com that he has down his colleges choices Oregon, Oregon State, USC and UCLA. What does the talented five-star like about his final four?

"Oregon has a good business school," Odighizuwa said. "They have a great football program, a great coaching staff and it is close to home. That's always nice.

"I love Oregon State's coaching staff," Odighizuwa said. "I feel like there is a family atmosphere. Also like Oregon it is nice that it is close to home.

"With USC, I like Pete Carroll a lot," Odighizuwa said. "I also like Coach Seto (Rocky Seto), the defensive coordinator, as well as Coach Franklin (Jethro Franklin) their defensive line coach.

"I feel like USC has a great school," Odighizuwa said. "I like the fact that it is a private school, so it is smaller.

"I love Coach Neuheisel (UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel) and I love Coach Howard (UCLA defensive line coach Todd Howard a lot," Odighizuwa said. "I feel like I trust those two and like the school. The academics are very prestigious and my mom likes UCLA too."

While visiting UCLA, Odighizuwa visited the Westwood campus with fellow Nigerians George Uko and Aramide Olaniyan, whose families come from the same area. The three standout players formed a bond and were at one time thinking about playing together in college.

Unless something drastic happens, that will not come about because Olaniyan committed to UCLA shortly after the visit and Uko committed to archrival USC, but the question now is do the two Los Angeles schools have an edge because of his two friends commitments?

"It might play a small role," Odighizuwa said. "But not really."

That makes sense, because Odighizuwa is a pretty independent young man who thinks for himself.

Next on Odighizuwa's agenda will be playing in the U.S. Army All-American game, but expect him to be one of the players who will mike up and make his announcement. He has different plans proving he does think for himself.

"I'm going to wait until after the game before I make my announcement," Odighizuwa said. "It's definitely going to be tough."

Odighizuwa lived up to his five-star status as a senior. Even though he had to fight through double teams and the opposition chose to run away from him, still he racked up 90 tackles and 10 sacks.

Whoever is lucky enough to land this five-star will be getting a player who in Odighizuwa, made the Rivals.com Rivals100 for the class of 2010. Rivals.com ranks him as the nation's No. 20 prospect at any position. He was also selected to the Rivals.com Oregon Midseason Top 10 team landing as the Beaver State's No. 1 prospect at any position.