Top 2014 recruit watches Stanford win
Nifae Lealao has not had much experience seeing big-time college football games and that was another reason why the unofficial visit to Stanford on Saturday was extra special for the 2014 defensive end from Sacramento (Calif.) Capital Christian.
The 6-foot-5, 267-pound prospect said it was incredibly exciting to see Stanford upset then-No. 2 USC and that the atmosphere was spectacular throughout the game.
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"It was incredible," Lealao said. "It was one of the first times I was around so many people at a game like that. It was great to see the whole college experience and the game itself was amazing.
"Stanford pulled the upset on the No. 2 team in the nation and it was exciting to see that rivalry.
"Sitting in the section where the recruits sit behind the Stanford bench, the atmosphere was crazy. The house was packed and it wasn't a typical college game. It just felt like a lot was on the line."
Lealao might be one of the top defensive linemen in California's 2014 recruiting class and the Capital Christian standout already has offers from BYU, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, USC and Utah.
Oregon, Stanford and USC are three early favorites but with interest coming from LSU, Alabama, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and others, Lealao said he wants to do much more research before making any commitment.
Seeing two of his frontrunners - Stanford and USC - on the same night was especially valuable as his recruitment continues.
"I think there are a whole lot more offers to come," Lealao said.
"Pretty much the ones sticking out right now are Stanford, USC and Oregon. That's for now. I haven't gotten much from the schools in the East but slowly I'm looking more into those schools like Alabama, Nebraska and Wisconsin and of course LSU.
"I want to see what some of those schools are like. I'm probably going to get a lot more interest from them."