West Spotlight: Predicting destinations of top prospects
Some West prospects have already made their commitments, but many others have not and it’s always fun to make predictions. Here is a look at five of the top recruits in the region and where things could be headed in their recruitment.
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The latest: Hall is one of the nation’s top receivers and USC makes so much sense in his recruitment. He would be able to stay in Los Angeles. The five-star would reunite with former Los Angeles Augustus Hawkins teammates Joseph Lewis and Greg Johnson. He would have the opportunity to earn early playing time for USC, which won the Rose Bowl this past season. Hall is playing it cool, but the Trojans have to like their position with him. Nebraska, UCLA, Ohio State and basically every other program will try to stay involved, but it’s going to be tough to beat USC for the local prospect who’ll play his senior year at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly.
Prediction: USC
The latest: St. Brown’s recruitment could be one of the more surprising and unpredictable this recruiting cycle because a clear favorite has not emerged. The five-star who has proven to be arguably the top receiver in this class has talked glowingly about USC and how the Trojans are recruiting him, but it’s not case closed. He could absolutely end up at Stanford with his brother, Osiris St. Brown, because he’s been enamored with how coach David Shaw has recruited him. But Ohio State and Michigan are also seriously being considered because St. Brown wants to be challenged to become his best and playing for Urban Meyer or Jim Harbaugh could be something he wants. Notre Dame and others are also in the mix, but starring for the Trojans seems like the biggest possibility right now.
Prediction: USC
The latest: The Beavers’ coaching staff dipped into Northern California last recruiting cycle and landed four-star Isaiah Hodgins and could definitely seal up Crocker as well. Oregon State has some built-in advantages: A bunch of former TMP Elite 7-on-7 teammates, including Hodgins and Trajon Cotton, Crocker’s teammate at Inderkum as well, could really play a huge role in the four-star receiver’s thinking. Getting on the field early and playing opposite Hodgins could be a really big deal for Crocker, who’s also serious about Oregon, Cal and others. There’s no question the Beavers look good here and Crocker seems interested in not only getting on the field early but rebuilding Oregon State’s program. He has the ability to be a big part of it.
Prediction: Oregon State
The latest: Lamb is a Penn State legacy since his father attended school there and his mother was a swimmer for the Nittany Lions. A recent visit to State College went incredibly well and Penn State will be a contender all the way to decision day. The four-star is also a high academic kid and Notre Dame is being seriously considered. The Irish could shoot up even higher after he visits soon. Washington is an intriguing school for Lamb and Stanford has always been a favorite. If the Cardinal ends up offering, then everything could change. But UCLA has been involved for a long time, many Ground Zero 7-on-7 teammates have gone on to play for the Bruins and UCLA could use Lamb’s abilities early on. This one still has a lot of interesting twists and turns possible, but the Bruins have to like their position.
Prediction: UCLA
The latest: Throughout his recruitment, Gordon has been compared to another star defensive back/athlete from Washington – KeiVarae Russell, who ended up playing at Notre Dame. Their games might be similar, but it would be surprising if the Huskies lost out this time around and they have to like where they stand in Gordon’s recruitment. Sure, Notre Dame has already offered and it’s an intriguing possibility. But the four-star’s recruitment looks more focused on Washington and Stanford and staying closer to home and playing for the school that’s just coming off a berth in the College Football Playoff seems more likely. Don’t count out Stanford, Oregon, Notre Dame and others, but the Huskies look good at this point.
Prediction: Washington
