Hutchings still being pursued

Michael Hutchings realizes it's about to get hectic in recruiting not only for himself but for every other USC commit and he urges calm and patience, for those prospects to consider why they pledged to the Trojans before making any rash decisions.

The four-star outside linebacker from Concord (Calif.) De La Salle said his commitment to USC remains firm but that Cal, Oregon and Washington continue to pursue him and he won't shut any school out in the final months before signing day.

Still, the Trojans look just fine in Hutchings' recruitment and the four-star has not planned any other official visits.

"It's definitely strong," Hutchings said of his USC commitment.

"I'm in contact with those guys. I know some guys are starting to get rattled by the December-January recruiting fest that's going on with these All-American games. It's going to get crazy but that's when you have to stick together. You have to go back to your basics and realize why you picked the school in the first place.

"I'll definitely give the other schools a chance. I won't shut out anybody like that. I'll be in contact but there's nothing too big. No visits set up right now so that's important and I'm all set up to go."

Hutchings, who's been committed to USC since July 1, helped lead De La Salle to another state bowl championship this weekend in a win against Corona Centennial at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

A leader of the defense, Hutchings said it was outstanding to finish his high school career with another state title and special to pass the De La Salle tradition to the younger players.

"It's great to continue the legacy that was taught to me when I was a freshman in the program," Hutchings said. "Just to know I can continue it and pass it along to the younger guys is special. They see what it takes. They see the ups and downs of a state championship season.

"There are going to be mistakes but you build from them. I think our team has played well in the postseason because we build from those mistakes and learn from them. We go over them all the time. I know some coaches come by and they say it's harsh but you have to take it because it's constructive criticism."

Rivals.com rates Hutchings as the seventh-best outside linebacker and the No. 71 prospect in the 2013 class.