Westbrook hearing from others

Lacy Westbrook was limited at the Asante Trenchmen Academy this past weekend in Culver City, Calif., because he wants to be 100 percent for the upcoming Los Angeles NIKE Camp but it's not like the Compton (Calif.) Dominguez offensive tackle needs any more recruiting attention.

USC, Washington, UCLA, Colorado, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State and SMU have already offered the 6-foot-5, 300-pound prospect but some other big-time programs are showing interest.

Westbrook, who's dealing with an ankle injury, said Alabama, LSU and Wisconsin have gotten more involved recently.

"There are schools far out that are taking interest in me and they're going to start recruiting me for next year," Westbrook said.

"I really am looking forward to getting back on the field and proving my game and proving my skill to receive offers from those schools as well."

Alabama could be a legitimate contender because Westbrook's mother is from that state and she never hesitates talking up the Crimson Tide.

"I have a lot of family in Alabama," Westbrook said. "It really is a consideration but I might want to stay in the Pac-10 area. My mom has grown up with Alabama and she's been telling me there's nothing like Alabama, Roll Tide this, Roll Tide that. It's either stay in the Pac-10 or play in the SEC."

Four Pac-10 schools particularly stand out. Westbrook likes Oregon because of its facilities, the coaching staff and the academics.

UCLA has been recruiting him the hardest for some time now, USC has all the history and tradition he's looking for and Washington's coaching staff appeals to him.

"I really like Oregon," Westbrook said. "Their facilities are really good, I like the coaching staff and it's a good school with good academics. UCLA has been recruiting me the hardest ever since Day 1. Ever since I attended their camp they've been contacting me. USC is the same way. Washington is up there, too.

"The legacy and the history of SC, I grew up watching them, it's really a blessing to receive a scholarship to SC. Just growing up and thinking I want to play at the next level, I want to go to SC."

Don't expect a decision soon. Westbrook is still waiting to see if he picks up more offers and then over the next few months he will figure out where he's going to take official visits. A commitment probably won't come until after his senior season.

"My plan is I'm going to take all my visits next year, probably after the season, and once I visit the schools and see what they're about I'll commit then," Westbrook said. "I don't want to prematurely commit and not know anything about the school."