CFB recruiting: The top out-of-state defensive targets for Pac-12 legacy schools

The Hotline is delighted to provide college football fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Seattle-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on March 6 …

With national recruiting more popular these days — family travel to games is largely covered by NIL money, and every game is televised or streamed — seeing your son play is easier than ever.

Even in a conference on the other side of the country.

While schools want to recruit inside their state borders, they’re also targeting key recruits from outside the friendly confines of home.

Here is a look at one key out-of-state target on defense in the 2026 class for the Pac-12 legacy programs.

Arizona: DL Nemyah Telona (Concord, Calif.)

The Wildcats will get Telona for one of his three official visits; Oregon and Cal will receive the other two. Arizona has a legitimate shot, as Telona loves new defensive line coach Joe Salave’a, who returned to his alma mater from Miami and has made a big enough push that Telona locked in the visit.

Arizona State: DL Keytrin Harris (Harbor City, Calif.)

Harris is one of the top defensive linemen in the West. He’s originally from Las Vegas but moved to Southern California. The Sun Devils have surged with him in recent weeks and are in line for a visit.

California: Edge Cam Brooks (Thomasville, Ga.)

Brooks is a top-20 edge rusher in the country and a top-25 player in the state of Georgia. (The Bears have experienced some success in the South.) Brooks will visit in June with his teammate, linebacker Omari Stephenson. Cal would love to land the duo, but Brooks would be the crown jewel.

Colorado: LB Rodney Colton Jr. (Newnan, Ga.)

The Buffaloes have made some noise in the South over the last couple recruiting cycles with some of their top prospects, including Jordan Seaton in 2024 and Juju Lewis in 2025. Colton could continue that trend. For the Buffs, getting him aligned for a visit bodes well.

Oregon: LB Talanoa Ili (Orange, Calif.)

The Ducks have loads of elite national recruits looking at them. Ili comes from California, where they’ve made a name, and he’s a premium target for both Los Angeles schools. That said, the Ducks have been in a great spot and would love to pull in the top linebacker in the West.

Oregon State: LB Ramzak Fruean (Spanaway, Wash.)

OSU has recruited the South Puget Sound League extremely well. While they are competing against Power Four schools like Arizona State, UCLA and Washington for Fruean, the Beavers will get an official visit in June.

Stanford: ATH Jackson Ford (Malvern, Pa.)

The Cardinal have long recruited the East Coast as if it was in their backyard. While Pennsylvania is not, in fact, right next to California, Stanford is back in the Keystone State for Ford, a two-way standout. He plays tight end, but Stanford likes him as an edge rusher and has secured a visit.

UCLA: S Jordan Deck (Frisco, Tex.)

The Bruins signed a player from Deck’s crosstown rival in 2025, and now they’re back in the Lone Star State. They made his top five and will welcome him for an official visit. He has a strong connection with new safeties coach Gabe Lynn, as well. Their relationship goes back years.

USC: LB Xavier Griffin (Gainesville, Ga.)

The No. 1 linebacker in the country, Griffin has been committed to USC since July and hasn’t shown any signs of wavering. That’s an encouraging sign, because the Trojans have experienced ups and downs with players from Georgia. But Griffin is saying all the right things and recruiting other players for the Trojans, so they want to hold on to him.

Utah: S Gavin Day (Las Vegas)

The Utes landed a rising standout from Las Vegas who didn’t go to Bishop Gorman High School in 2025 (J.J. Buchanan) and would love to let lightning strike twice. Day is a fast-rising prospect who is expected to take an official visit.

Washington: Edge Khary Wilder (Gardena, Calif.)

The Huskies will actually get Wilder to campus this weekend for their big Junior Day and have a realistic shot at him. The two Los Angeles schools loom large, as well. But the Huskies lured him to Montlake this weekend and with his plans for an official visit, they have a puncher’s chance.

Washington State: CB Jason Hill Jr. (Folsom, Calif.)

Folsom High School is known mainly for its offense, but Hill is a standout in the secondary. (The irony: His father, Jason, was also known for his offense and played receiver for Washington State.) The younger Hill was offered a scholarship by the previous WSU staff, and the new edition reaffirmed the offer and would love to have him follow in his father’s footsteps.

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