West Region: Under-recruited prospects poised to break out
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There are several top prospects in the West that are not being heavily recruited despite excellent 2016 seasons. Here is a look at five uncommitted standouts who are currently under-recruited but could have tremendous college careers.
Recruiting: The three-star athlete who could play wide receiver or defensive back in college has landed offers from BYU, Colorado State, Hawaii, New Mexico and Oregon State so far in his recruitment.
Evaluation: Bates was unstoppable at the Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour in Southern California this spring and showed he has excellent speed, athleticism and make-you-miss ability. The three-star has carried that over to his senior season where he already has 34 catches for 695 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging more than 20 yards per catch. Bates has great speed and hands, and can really stretch the field.
Recruiting: Davis is a three-star prospect who has received offers from UCLA, UNLV and Tennessee-Martin. Some Pac-12 schools are also reaching out and showing some interest.
Evaluation: Davis is clearly the top option in the Oak Hills offense and yet no team has been able to control him all season. He’s only 6-foot but plays bigger and has long arms and athleticism to go up over taller cornerbacks for jump balls. So far this season, Davis has caught 37 passes for 574 yards and 10 touchdowns, accounting for more than half of Oak Hills’ receiving scores. Davis also had a strong offseason and could definitely be a major contributor in the lower levels of the Pac-12.
Recruiting: Colorado, Colorado State, Nevada, Utah and Washington State round out the top five for Hall. The Utes are probably in front at this point in his recruitment but the three-star remains open to all five of those programs and is still working through visits.
Evaluation: Rancho Cucamonga’s opponents have a tough choice because that secondary is loaded with Hall, four-stars Thomas Graham and Jaylon Redd, and Washington State commit Tayari Venable. For that reason, Hall is challenged more often than not and he has answered the bell time and again, knocking down passes, sticking with receivers and being able to come up and make the big hit. Hall has some Pac-12 offers but he has the ability to play at the highest levels in the conference and has proven it this season.
Recruiting: Buffalo, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State and UNLV have offered Schooler, the linebacker MVP at the Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour this spring in Southern California.
Evaluation: The Schooler boys are being criminally under-recruited. Older brother, Brenden, almost ended up at Wyoming if not for a summer offer from Oregon where he’s now tied for second in total tackles in his freshman season. Schooler is putting up huge numbers on offense and defense in his senior season at powerhouse Mission Viejo and it seems Pac-12 schools are missing the boat here. The three-star has rushed for 717 yards and 15 touchdowns on 68 carries, and he has 51 tackles from his linebacker spot. Schooler is a gamer, an old-school, smash-mouth linebacker who could have a big college career.
Recruiting: Boise State, Utah, Oregon and Washington State are the four frontrunners for Thompson, a four-star prospect who was one of the top receivers at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour this past summer. So far this season, he has 50 receptions for 896 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Evaluation: This one is a real head-scratcher as to why more Pac-12 teams aren't involved with Thompson. He has great size, speed, athleticism, hands, and runs all the routes well. He has competed at the highest level and excelled. Oregon recently came in with an offer and it looks as if the Ducks and Boise State are the two front-runners. Some team is going to get a phenomenal player that was passed up by too many programs.