The foundation for recruiting success during the December signing window often is laid in the spring, when on-campus visits are taken, shortlists created and verbal commitments made.
The Hotline is delighted to provide Pac-12 fans with a dive into the process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Seattle-based national recruiting analyst for 247Sports.
Huffman will relay news and insight into the latest developments and cast an eye ahead to upcoming events that will shape the 2022-23 recruiting cycle.
The following information, in his words, was provided to the Hotline on June 20 …
*** USC hosted what seemed like 100 visitors over the weekend, although the actual total was closer to 30. And the Trojans got off to a good start in not only landing a West Coast player but stealing him from another West Coast team.
Cal previously had received a big commitment from three-star defensive lineman Amos Talalele from Santa Clara. Well, he took an official visit to USC and ended up flipping to the Trojans. That’s a big blow to Cal and a big boost for USC — everything about the 330-pounder is big, including his potential.
*** Washington collected an in-state commitment, its first in-state pledge in the 2023 recruiting cycle.
Three-star edge rusher Jacob Lane from Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup — the same high school that produced Denzel Boston, one of their in-state signees a year ago — committed to the Huskies on Saturday at their 7-on-7 passing tournament.
Lane announced his decision on Monday and is a nice pickup for coach Kalen DeBoer. He was the MVP of the National Preps Northwest Showcase in March and a prospect whose stock was rising rapidly in the past couple weeks.
*** Utah received a commitment from the powerhouse Centennial High School program in Corona, CA.
It came from three-star linebacker Owen Chambliss, who was the anchor of the defense a year ago. Centennial is arguably the top public school program in California year in, year out. A number of Centennial products have gone on to flourish and play right away. It’s one of the most well-coached programs in the country and certainly one of the most college-ready in the West.
*** Washington State got a commitment from three-star offensive lineman Noah Dunham out of Yuba City, CA.
Dunham had taken an official visit to WSU earlier in the month, laid low for a few days, then announced his commitment. Several Pac-12 programs were making a big push for him, including Arizona.
Obviously, it’s a victory for the Cougars when they can go into Northern California — a place where they have always been able to find a few gems — and get a commitment from Dunham.
*** Shifting back to USC for a moment, we should make an additional comment: Following the big official visit weekend, coach Lincoln Riley tweeted three ‘Fight On’ emojis, which is his way of indicating recruiting commitments.
Talalele, the defensive lineman, already went public, so a couple more could be percolating — perhaps even this week.
Three-star Bay Area quarterback Luke Duncan was leaning toward the Bears and planning to take an official visit to Berkeley this weekend. (Cal had pivoted to him full time after being eliminated by coveted quarterback Jaden Rashada.)
Well, Duncan was offered a scholarship by UCLA on Friday. He is now planning to take an unofficial visit to Westwood this week.
I don’t think he’ll make it to Berkeley. The Bruins are in a great position to land him.
*** As for Rashada, the top uncommitted ’23 quarterback on the West Coast, we now have a list of finalists — and the Pac-12 isn’t on it.
Rashada eliminated Cal and Oregon and will choose between Miami, LSU, Texas A&M, Mississippi and Florida. An announcement should come this weekend.
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