LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – The second annual Orlando Scandrick & Jeron Johnson Elite 7v7 Tournament was held Saturday and many of the region’s top high school teams were in attendance. Here are some of the latest recruiting notes.
THIBODEAUX TALKING SEC
Texas A&M is getting more involved with 2019 five-star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and he’s highly interested especially after former Aggies star Myles Garrett went first in the NFL Draft.
“It’s big,” Thibodeaux said. “There aren’t too many No. 1 picks.”
The Aggies have become a player for the Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian standout who recently transferred there from Los Angeles Dorsey.
After a recent trip to LSU, the Tigers are also being seriously considered. Thibodeaux has family in Lake Charles and his relationship with coach Ed Orgeron is growing.
USC, UCLA and basically every other program remains involved with Thibodeaux, who doesn’t have any other visits planned yet.
DANIELS BACK FROM STANFORD
Stanford is going to remain a serious contender for 2019 five-star quarterback JT Daniels although he still remains open to all programs. His focus is finding the best pro-style offense fit.
The Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei standout recently visited Stanford and landed his offer.
“The overall atmosphere and energy of that place, you could just be talking to someone and be having a normal conversation and you think he’s just a good dude and that guy started Snapchat,” Daniels said. “That’s how Stanford is.”
Daniels said Stanford will “absolutely” play a factor moving forward, a visit to Michigan is probable with the five-star quarterback heading to the state for a camp and other trips are possible, too, but nothing is settled yet.
USC and Wisconsin have also started talking more with the Mater Dei recruit.
WOODBEY MORE LOCKED IN
Jaiden Woodbey remains happily committed to Ohio State but the four-star defensive back is considering official visits to Oklahoma and TCU.
If anything, though, the Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco standout seems more locked in with the Buckeyes than ever and Woodbey loves how Ohio State continually produces top-end players at corner and safety.
“That hard-working mentality, I feel like when I get there I will be able to make an impact as soon as I get there,” Woodbey said. “My DB play is similar to what they want. I can be a big corner or be a big safety.”
MARTIN LOOKING AT SEC, TOO
UCLA is making a serious play for three-star defensive end Jeremiah Martin but many others are also involved including Texas A&M, Utah, Colorado, Alabama, Washington State and others.
The San Bernardino (Calif.) Cajon standout said he’s hoping to take trips to Alabama, Utah, Texas A&M, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado soon.
The offer from the Aggies was definitely big especially because of Garrett’s success in College Station. The Bruins might be tough to beat but many programs are going to be considered.
“I really like Texas A&M because it’s another dream school,” Martin said.
SCOTT SOLID BUT TAKING TRIPS
Raymond Scott is still firmly committed to USC and he has nothing but positive things to say about the Trojans but the four-star linebacker is planning a round of upcoming visits.
The Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne recruit said he will visit Oklahoma and Georgia for sure, even though the Bulldogs haven’t offered yet. Michigan could also emerge as a contender in his recruitment with the Wolverines showing more interest.
The Sooners definitely interest Scott, who’s been committed to USC for months.
“They’ve been showing me so much love,” Scott said. “Coach (Bob) Stoops has been messaging me, we have a good relationship, we’ve been talking and I want to check it out for myself.”
LSU OFFER BIG FOR STEELE
Chris Steele has an excellent relationship with UCLA coach Jim Mora and position coach Demetrice Martin that went a long way in the 2019 prospect making an early commitment to the Bruins but many other programs have not backed off.
LSU recently offered and the four-star defensive back from Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco is listening.
“If I go there and ball out I know for a fact coach (Corey) Raymond is going to get me ready and I can be a first-round pick,” Steele said.
As for upcoming visits, Steele is planning to see LSU and Stanford for sure and he could possibly go to Florida and Oregon as well. Ohio State has also been pursuing the 2019 four-star but a trip to Columbus probably won’t happen until next season.
YOUNG READY FOR VISITS
Bryce Young is one of the top 2020 quarterbacks in the West, if not nationally, and the Los Angeles Cathedral standout is planning an important round of visits.
Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Houston and Miami will get trips soon from Young and he said while he’s excited for all of them getting to see the Hurricanes will be big.
“That’s one I’m definitely looking forward to,” Young said. “It’s Miami. What else can I say? But also they’ve had a previous quarterback from California with Brad Kaaya over there. The opportunity they gave him to play early is big for me.”
A return trip to Texas Tech is also being considered for later but probably won’t happen this offseason. Young definitely likes coach Kliff Kingsbury a ton and the Red Raiders' high-octane offense as well.
ADDISON ADDS NEW TEAM
Four-star Bryan Addison is probably done with unofficial trips this offseason but he’s already looking at a full official visit schedule.
The Gardena (Calif.) Serra two-way standout said he’s looking at official visits to Nebraska, Oregon, Louisville, Arizona State and Oklahoma. USC and UCLA are absolutely still high on his list but unofficial trips are expected to those two schools.
Addison’s top five of USC, UCLA, Oregon, Nebraska and Arizona State still stands but the four-star said Louisville has now joined that top group as well.
JACKSON SEEING MORE INTEREST
Cal, Stanford, Arizona State, Utah and Florida State are showing new interest in three-star athlete John Jackson and all those programs are hoping he would camp this summer.
The Gardena (Calif.) Serra two-way prospect said he’s definitely going to visit Stanford, Cal and Tennessee and he’s hoping to visit Louisville as well.
As for early offers, Jackson has landed ones from BYU, Tennessee, Oregon and UNLV. The three-star is definitely keeping a close eye on the Ducks even though Jackson admits a lot of people have him pegged to USC since his father played there. His mother attended UCLA.
“Oregon is one of the big guys,” Jackson said. “They’re stepping up and saying, ‘We’re here.’”