McKinley widening his scope

Four-star wide receiver Javon McKinley has already set four official visits so he's got a good road map to follow this fall as he continues to mull all his options.

USC has been considered a frontrunner for some time but the Trojans appear to be filling up at the position in this recruiting class and McKinley has recognized that. Four-star receiver Trevon Sidney committed to USC last week and the Trojans are the heavy favorites to land another, Tyler Vaughns, next month.

"We had a conversation with the coaches about it a while ago and the spots are filling up there," McKinley said. "I've got to open my options up to some other schools."

The Rivals100 prospect from Corona (Calif.) Centennial has lined up trips to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Tennessee. McKinley said he is also keeping an open dialogue with a few other Pac-12 programs, including California, UCLA and Washington. His roommate at The Opening was Huskies commit Sean McGrew and he also heard the pitch from Camilo Eifler.

The 6-foot-2, 192-pound McKinley, who is the No. 18-rated wide receiver in the 2016 class according to Rivals.com, brought the Bruins back in to the mix two weeks ago after a conversation with assistant coach Eric Yarber. UCLA was on the outside looking in for a few months, in large part because the school doesn't offer the specific degree McKinley intends to obtain.

"They have a bunch of classes that could make up into a business degree, and that's probably what I would go into if I do choose to go to UCLA," McKinley said. "They were my third offer and that definitely ties into how I view them. They were looking at me early and want me to go to their school."

McKinley said the Volunteers would be the first school that has the chance to leave an impression on him this fall.

"I just want to see the whole environment and how the fans are up there," McKinley said. "I can't wait to see what the players are like and then meet with the coaches, as well."

McKinley is tentatively scheduled to announce his college choice at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl early next year, but that could change.

"If something unknowingly happens, I might commit earlier," McKinley said.

McKinley had 97 receptions for 2,059 yards and 22 touchdowns in 15 games as a junior last fall, leading Centennial to the state title game.