Top Uncommitted Class of 2016 Football Recruits in California
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
National Signing Day is less than a week away and the suspense is building. Across the country players, parents, coaches, and fan bases are hand wringing over how the final days will playout seeing who will go where, if a last minute offer will come in, and if a talent has a change of heart before he inks his letter of intent.
Most of the top players in the nation have already verbally committed to their school of choice but there are two states arguably with the most amount of top prospects that have the most uncommitted recruits left on the board, Georgia and California.
The Georgia uncommitted class has been broken down but not California’s remaining roster changers.
The Golden State is loaded with talent once again with many already committed but not necessarily to in-state schools. The mix and match of players staying and going includes OG Jonah Williams (Folsom) to Alabama, LB Curtis Robinson (Mater Dei) to Stanford, QB Malik Henry to (Long Beach Poly) to Florida State, WR Theo Howard (Westlake) to UCLA, DB Shurod Thompson (Liberty) to Oregon State, DB Treyjohn Butler (Etiwanda) to Stanford, WR Michael Pittman (Oaks Christian) to USC, WR Logan Gamble (St. Anthony’s Long Beach) to Cal, QB Patrick O’Brien (San Juan Hills) to Nebraska, OT Frank Martin (Mater Dei) to USC, and WR Javon McKinley (Centennial) to Notre Dame.
With the excitement building as National Signing Day nears, the following is a breakdown of which players remain on the recruiting board along with the potential programs with a chance of landing the top recruit.
Top Uncommitted Class of 2016 Football Recruits in California
OLB Caleb Kelly – 5-Star
6-3, 215
Clovis West High School, Fresno
Offers (24): Alabama, Florida State, USC, Texas, UCLA, LSU, Georgia, Washington, Stanford, Penn State, TCU
Official Visits: Michigan on Sept. 19, Oregon on Oct. 10, Oklahoma on Nov. 21, and Notre Dame on Dec. 11
U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection, winner of High School Butkus Award, and USA Today All-American
2015 stats: seven carries for 36 yards, 39 receptions for 447 yards (tight end); 115 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 21 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Overview: Notre Dame and Oregon are pushing hard down the backstretch. Plans to announce on NSD. Played on both sides of the ball for the Golden Eagles but is a next level linebacker. Depends how he fills out where he will play at the next level. Great on the outside, quick enough to cover backs and tight ends. Has frame to add 15 pounds to move in the middle if he can keep his speed.
OLB Mique Juarez – 5-Star
6-2, 215
North High School, Torrance
Offers (20): Utah, Notre Dame, USC, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Cal, and Michigan
Visits:
2015 stats: 146 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, five sacks; at quarterback – 23 passing touchdowns and 36 rushing, and ran a kickoff back for a score.
Overview: One-time commitment to USC but decommitted after Steve Sarksian was fired in October along with another 5-star linebacker, Daelin Hayes. Has had a fluid Top 4 of Washington, UCLA, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma. Washington and Oklahoma have been dropped. Visited Alabama on Jan. 23 adding another wrinkle to a big NSD decision for three programs. Top level all-around athlete.
CB Jack Jones – 5-Star
5-10, 165
Long Beach Poly, Long Beach
Offers (23): Cal, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Florida State, UCLA, USC, Oklahoma, Utah, Michigan, Boise State, and Arizona State.
Official Visits: Arizona State on Sept. 26, Texas A&M on Oct. 2, and Alabama on Jan. 15
U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection
2015 stats: 23 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception; 42 receptions, 837 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one punt return for a touchdown.
Overview: Jones is quick on quick. Could play on both sides of the ball at the next level and contribute on special teams if needed. Named a Top 5 of Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, USC, and UCLA in mid-December.
TE Devin Asiasi – 4-Star
6-5, 250
De La Salle High School, Concord
Offers (22): Alabama, Oregon, Auburn, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Cal, Miami, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Washington State.
Official Visits: UCLA on Dec. 11, Washington on Jan. 15, Michigan on Jan. 22, and USC on Jan. 29.
U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection
2015 stats: 17 receptions, 311 yards, and five touchdowns.
Overview: Has been listed as high as 270 pounds. If his speed has stayed consistent could be an instant contributor at the next level in the run and passing game. Had 16 receptions for 264 yards with two scores as a junior. Widely considered a Top 2 or Top 3 tight end in the 2016 class. Helped guide De La Salle to a state and MaxPreps national championship. Many believe he will stay in-state heading to USC.
SS/ATH Lamar Jackson – 4-Star
6-3, 205
Franklin High School, Elk Grove
Offers (20): Cal, UCLA, Washington, USC, Boise State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, San Diego State, and Washington State
Official Visits: Arizona on Sept. 18, Arizona State on Sept. 25, Utah on Oct. 9, Michigan on Oct. 16, and Nebraska on Nov. 6.
Under Armour All-American Game selection
2015 stats:
Overview: Widely considered the best safety in the nation. Do-it all kind of athlete. Played some quarterback during his senior season completing 27 of 69 passes for 544 yards with four touchdowns and had 91 carries for 664 yards with another nine scores. Credited with 28 tackles on defense.
Nebraska gets the last and final official. The Cornhuskers could steal another in-state talent out of California.
Other Top Uncommitted Recruits
WR Damian Alloway – 4-Star
5-10, 170
Summit High School, Fontana
Offers: Notre Dame, Arizona State, UCLA, Cal, Wisconsin, Washington, and Washington State
ATH Brandon Burton – 4-Star
6-1, 190
Junipero Serra, Gardena
Offers: Oklahoma, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida State, Alabama, UCLA, and Arizona
ATH Beau Bisharat – 4-Star
6-3, 205
Jesuit High School, Carmiichael
Offers: Michigan State, Utah, Boston College, Arizona State, Boise State, Missouri, Pitt, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia
DT Boss Tagaloa – 4-Star
6-3, 300
De La Salle, Concord
Offers: Washington, USC, Michigan, Alabama, Arizona, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UCLA, and Arizona State
WR Steffon McKnight – 4-Star
6-1, 170
Offers: USC, UCLA, San Diego State, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, Cal, and Arizona State
Photo credit: 247sports.com; Caleb Kelly at a U.S. Army practice.