Overview on 2020 Recruiting Class Heading to Pac-12 after Early Signing Period
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The three-day rollercoaster ride that was the early signing period from Dec. 18-20 turned positive for the most part for all Pac-12 programs. The Power 5 Conference landed four teams in the Top 30 highlighted by Washington at No. 14 and Oregon at No. 18, and many of the heavy-hitters within have a lot of room left in their classes to skyrocket up the rankings.
Washington Huskies
The announced resignation of Chris Petersen on Dec. 2 did nothing to slow the roll of the Washington Huskies. With defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake taking over, Washington recruits were all-in seeing the Huskies land 22 prospects. The big win for UDUB was keeping five-star linebacker Sav’ell Smalls home. The 6-4, 245-pound, backer out of Kennedy Catholic was highly sought-after with 30-plus reported offers. In all, Washington secured nine four-star players and 11 three-stars. A couple of three-stars that can make some noise for the Huskies in years to come, watch out for safety Makell Esteen and tight end Mason West.
Oregon Ducks
The Ducks had an up and down early signing period losing four-star receiver Johnny Wilson to Arizona State and four-star safety Myles Slusher to Arkansas, but rocked the nation with the addition of five-star linebacker Justin Flowe. Top teams across the country, USC, Clemson, and Alabama among them, were hopeful Flowe would swing their way. Oregon was not done adding firepower to the class signing four-star Alabama quarterback Robby Ashford. Of Oregon’s 20 commits, 11 are committed to play defense once on campus. Seven of those commits will be in the box shoring up the Ducks’ run defense.
Stanford Cardinal
One never knows what to expect from a Stanford recruiting class. In 2018, the Cardinal took 15 recruits in total ranking 40th nationally. A year ago, they took 23 sliding in at No. 21. Stanford appears ready to finish within the Top 25 currently ranked at No. 22 with 20 commits including seven four-stars. Early attention was given to the offensive line landing four-star Georgia tackle Myles Hinton, four-star tackle Connor McLaughlin (FL), four-star guard Levi Rogers (WA), and three-star center Drake Metcalf (CA). An exciting get for Stanford out of Jesuit High School in Dallas was four-star all-purpose back EJ Smith.
UCLA Bruins
Might something be brewing in Westwood? The turn of momentum has been slow for head coach Chip Kelly, but things are picking up. The Bruins finished 4-8 this season, but have created a buzz on the recruiting trail in Southern California with the possibility of early playing time. That notion, and playing in the Pac-12, has helped Kelly and Co. bump up their recruiting performance from a 40th placing in 2019 to 28th now. The class is highlighted by two four-stars and 20 three-star players. The four-stars, linebacker Damian Sellars and quarterback Parker McQuarrie are needed additions, but the Bruins got some outstanding undervalued talent, or as good as four-stars. Those players to watch out for, corner John Humphrey, receiver Logan Loya, and corner DJ Warnell. Within the class so far, a pipeline to one of the nation’s best high school football programs is being constructed. USC gets a lot of Mater Dei players, now UCLA is taking players from their Trinity League rival, St. John Bosco. UCLA has four Bosco players in the 2020 class.
Utah Utes
Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham has worked the recruiting trail to success primarily taking three-star players pulling from California, Florida, and in-state over the years. That lunch pail mentality with the know-how of developing players is what got Utah into the Pac-12 Championship Game this year. The 2020 class rests at No. 32 with 17 commits that includes flipping four-star California corner Clark Phillips from Ohio State and in-state defensive end Van Fllinger away from Texas. Bookending Fillinger is another in-state four-star, Xavier Carlton. A big recruiting win that goes beyond high school seniors was landing former South Carolina starting quarterback Jake Bentley off the transfer portal.
California Golden Bears
Cal’s 2020 class may not be loaded with five- and four-star players, but rest assured this is a very talented class with great three-star prospects. Ranked 34th overall, the Bears got some steals in running back Chris Street, athlete Trey Paster, developing offensive lineman Ender Aguilar and quarterbacks Jaden Casey and Zach Johnson. Perhaps the biggest difference maker in the haul is three-star defensive tackle Ricky Correia. Correia is a gap eater taking offensive linemen with him into the backfield.
Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes’ staff was busy on the recruiting trail landing players from nine different states relying on Texas for six signees. One of the big ones for Colorado out of the Lone Star State was dual-threat Brendon Lewis. Two three-star gems to watch for are defensive tackle Jordan Berry and offensive lineman Jake Wray.
Arizona State Sun Devils
ASU has put together a quality class so far with 15 commits, and room to jump up the rankings before National Signing Day. The Sun Devils worked the Southern California connection well landing former five-star receiver Johnny Wilson out of Calabasas, four-star linebacker Jordan Banks from Narbonne, and four-star receiver Chad Johnson Jr. If in-state linebacker Will Shaffer signs, he is a four-star athlete with a three-star ranking. Corner Macen Williams and linebacker Caleb McCullough bring more of the LA area swagger to Tempe.
Oregon State Beavers
Scrolling down the list of Oregon State signees, there are a lot of very talented three-stars heading to Corvallis from the 2020 class starting with Saddleback junior college transfer Chance Nolan. Nolan is the top-rated JUCO quarterback in the nation bringing developed experience immediately to the roster. Another thing addressed among the 19 signed letters of intent, athleticism. Ten of the recruits are skill guys bring speed to the roster on both sides of the ball. Some key pickups to watch for, linebacker Junior Walling, tight end Jake Overman, and receiver Silas Bolden.
Washington State Cougars
If there is a coach in the Pac-12 who does more with less “recruiting stars”, it is Mike Leach. Washington State is never a monster in recruiting landing one four-star after another, but the staff does a great job of landing players that fit their offensive scheme. All 18 of the Cougars’ commits are three-stars with an emphasis on defense, eight signees, and on the offensive line, five signees. This staff was also busy canvasing the nation with players from 10 different states. The quarterback of the future was signed out of St. Louis High School (HI) in Jayden de Laura.
Arizona Wildcats
After a fairly successful run by former head coach Rich Rodriguez (45-35 overall) from 2012-17, Kevin Sumlin has struggled in his first two seasons with Arizona posting a 9-15 record, 6-12 in the Pac-12. The Wildcats had a middle-of-the-road 2019 haul ranking 55th and are underperforming thus far in the 2020 class at 70th. Of the 12 signed commits, this class leans heavy to the offense with eight. The cornerstone to work off of on offense is three-star quarterback Will Plummer. The big question, is there enough unsigned talent around that Arizona can sign to push this class forward in the rebuilding process? On the positive, there are three very talented in-state players uncommitted; five-star corner Kelee Ringo, four-star end Jason Harris, and four-star running back Darvon Hubbard. With USC, UCLA, and Arizona State, among others, hitting the unsigned Arizona and California recruits, the Wildcats are in need of a few big breaks to make an impact with recruiting this year.
USC Trojans
Kevin Sumlin may not be in the best of moods after the early signing period, and he has company in USC head coach Clay Helton. Given the amazing amount of talent throughout California, especially in the Trojans backyard, one could argue that USC has done the worst job so far landing top recruits among all Power 5 programs. The Trojans are ranked 79th in the country with 11 signed letters of intent. Of the 11, six address needs on the offensive line with three adding depth in the defensive trenches. The only skill player attached is three-star receiver Josh Jackson. There are only five in-state recruits ranked as four-stars left on the board; three of those are receivers, an area where USC is deep from the 2019 class. Landing more receivers to prop up the overall recruiting ranking may appease the unknowing fanbase, but will it address team needs? USC typically finishes strong, but with the early signing period changing historical trends, there may not be enough talent left to vault the Trojans into the Top 20.