Hotline is pleased to introduce Pac-12 fans to the hiring process each week through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, National Recruiting Editor for Seattle-based 247Sports.
The following report was provided to the hotline on June 22nd.
It’s been a phenomenal hiring month for Pac-12’s usual suspects, including Oregon, the University of Southern California…Stanford University.
Stanford? Yes, Stanford.
The Cardinals made good on Thursday when New Jersey defensive back Kam Richardson announced his pledge for the fifth time this week.
Even more incredible, Richardson became Stanford’s 20th commitment in June alone.
This massive lead draw is enough to propel the program to #8 nationally and #1 in the Pac-12 in the latest 247Sports rankings for the 2023-2024 hiring cycle.
Indeed, the Cardinals finished top-tier in the 2022 conference, often drawing elite tiers during David Shaw’s heyday. However, the recruitment process, which was finalized in February (i.e., current high school seniors), has been spotty, and there have been ups and downs since Shaw’s resignation.
And just to be clear, one of the reasons why Stanford University is currently so high in the 247Sports ranking is the sheer number of commitments of 24 schools. This is the highest total for any football bowl subdivision school in the country. (8 more than Oregon, which ranks 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Pac-12, and 12 more than USC).
However, given the uncertainty in Stanford’s hiring outlook when the 2023-24 cycle begins, the head coach hired from Big Sky (Troy Taylor) and the school’s stringent academic requirements will likely lead to success during the show era. There are many reasons for optimism, given whether we can reproduce
Sunday was a particularly strong run for the Cardinals, who entered Orange County to pick up two key rookies, including Huntington Beach offensive lineman Justin Tauanou, who visited UCLA last month and was scheduled to face USC this weekend. .
But the biggest prize went to Santa Ana, California quarterback Elijah Brown. He’s the third-best passer in the nation and the third-best prospect in California overall. Brown has gone 28-1 as a starter for powerhouse Matheday High since replacing Bryce Young.
Brown chose the Cardinals over both UCLA and USC, quickly becoming the most notable commitment for Taylor, who was hired in December.
And Stanford returned to Orange County to pick up another promise, and Santa Margarita (California) receiver Emmett Mosley was a four-star pick with the Cardinals over UCLA and Washington.
Defensively, they were similarly strong last week, with two four-star edge rushers.
Remember the peak days of the show when Cardinal’s success was based on defensive front sevens? Topping the list is Miami Edge’s Dylan Stevenson and, perhaps more importantly, Oakland Edge’s Naki Tuakoi, one of Northern California’s leading defense contenders.
The Cardinals acquired quarterback Justin Lamson from the transfer portal, who played for Syracuse but was from Sacramento. The program will rely on high school prospects for 95 percent of its roster.
With 24 promises to make, the Stanford class is shaping up just over two months before Taylor coaches his first game against the Cardinals.
Big Weekend at University of California
Washington has just one commitment from the 2024 class. Four-star candidate Hesperia (California) offensive lineman Paki Finau. The Huskies, meanwhile, have seen three dedicated players decide to start recruiting.
But this weekend at the University of California, a huge number of visitors are expected and classes could grow exponentially.
The Huskies have more than 15 official visits scheduled this week alone, and Finau is scheduled to visit Seattle.
They also have top Northern California prospect, Fairfield, CA defensive lineman Jericho Johnson, a four-star prospect coming to town. Last year was Johnson’s fourth visit to Montlake, but it was his first official trip.
Another important visitor is Rancho Cucamonga (California) quarterback Demaricus Davis, who spent time at Arizona and Oregon State. But the Huskies are giving him one last chance this weekend.
Trojan horse and duck keep moving
USC is gaining hiring momentum in 2024 and has the highest average rating per hire in the nation. And the Trojans picked up two four-star prospects this week.
They started off with the acquisition of Bellflower, California cornerback Marcelles Williams (brother of current Trojan defenseback Max Williams), then Clearwater, Florida’s four-star offensive tackle, Jason Zandamela continued the winning streak.
Sacramento, Calif.’s four-star safety Kingston Ropa promised an official visit last weekend and canceled a planned trip to Washington for the Ducks in a big win.
The University of Southern California and Oregon State will battle it out over Long Beach, Calif., top 20 wideout Ryan Pelham, who will receive a pick between the two schools on Monday.
Elsewhere in Pac-12
Stanford isn’t the only school with momentum.
— Had a good week in Arizona with 8 commitments. One is Henderson, Nevada receiver Landon Bell, who parted ways with Washington a week ago and was announced to join the Wildcats this week. But the big deal for Jed Fish was Tucson edge rusher Kiona Wilhite, who chose Arizona over Oregon State, UCLA and Washington.
Statewide, Glendale running back Adam Mohammed has committed to join the Wildcats, who have also added Pac-12 legacy rookie Kayo Patu.
Patu has a long association with conferences. The Sacramento safety has his older brother Olin, who plays for Arizona, and his other brother, Ali, is a Stanford quarterback. And his father, Saul, is a former linebacker at the University of Oregon. (His mother also played softball at the Ducks.)
— Arizona State picked up two spots from the 2024 class this week, but started the 2025 class with a notable player in San Juan Capistrano native, four-star quarterback Michael Trefson.
— Cal was also promised two prospects. Houston’s defensive lineman Michael-Anthony Okuura became the third Lone Star native to be named by the Bears, who also won Northern California for the second time with Lafayette receiver Trevor Rodgers.
— Oregon State has been hitting Florida frequently in recent years, with the addition of Andrew Brinson IV, a Top 100 player from Tampa.
— UCLA bounced back with two additional out-of-state commitments after losing Tauanuu, Mosley and Brown to Stanford. One of them was from Lehi (Utah) offensive tackle Jensen Somerville, who leaned towards Cal. The Bruins also reversed Waunakee, Wisconsin tight end Rob Booker from his hometown Wisconsin school.
Last Official Visit Weekend
This weekend will be the last official visit of the summer. The NCAA recruitment dead period begins next week and runs through September.
Oregon has a promising line-up of promising prospects. Hawaii No.1 player, Preston Taumua. And California’s No. 1 player, Aydin Breland. In addition, the Ducks will have top-five Missouri player Jeremiah McClellan at receiver.
Washington State will have big targets in running back Josh Joyner, edge rusher Camden DeGraw and cornerback Tyson Weaver.
Stanford University welcomes Utah’s No. 1 prospect, Under Armor All-American offensive tackle Isiah Garcia.
And Cal State is set to have a special weekend with a visit from Seattle’s Garfield High School teammates quarterback EJ Camino and athlete Larshon Clark.
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