Pac-12 school has edge for Mickens
PHOENIX - Jaydon Mickens decided earlier this month to de-commit from USC as both sides went in different directions and the Los Angeles Dorsey athlete already has a firm grasp on which schools are new favorites.
Washington and Oregon have emerged as the top two for Mickens and he said the Huskies have a slight edge because he has already visited there.
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"Oregon and Washington are the favorites but Washington has the upper-hand because I visited up there already," Mickens said Thursday at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.
"I liked everything when I was up there - the people, the atmosphere, the excitement, the friendliness. Everybody is like a big family and it's all about football and getting the job done."
The Ducks are definitely within striking distance for Mickens, rated as the No. 13 athlete and No. 187 prospect in the 2012 class by Rivals.com, and he's planning a trip there the weekend of Jan. 20.
Mickens, rated No. 26 in the California state rankings, will be at Washington State the week before his Oregon trip and Hawaii the weekend after. The Ducks' offense could be a nice fit.
"With me and De'Anthony (Thomas) it could go hand-in-hand because if you stop one you might not stop the other," Mickens said.
"That's hard to do. With him coming from the City Section that inspired me because now I know I can do it. Seeing him up there and doing well that would be a great fit for me."
Mickens, who finished with 20 total touchdowns in his senior season, said his top four are now Washington, Oregon, Cal and Washington State.
Since he had been committed to USC for so long he hadn't seriously considered other programs but being open again will allow him to look around and get a better feel for what's best.
"I want to see how I fit in the offense but I also want to see academics and figure out whether I can live in these other places because I've never been any other place but L.A.," Mickens said.
"It's very important because now I'm seeing other things, not just USC where I grew up. I could see other places are better and it will allow me to be my own man when I get to these places."