Choices to Make
Signing day is now only two days off. Oregon State is still in on several big recruits. Rivals broke down where they stand:
- Owamagbe Odighizuwa – DE – Rivals 5 Star. Odighizuwa, a star at Portland’s David Douglas HS, has narrowed his choices down to three schools: UCLA, Nebraska, and Oregon State. The Beavers replaced Oregon in his top 3 a couple weeks ago. ”Owa” is said to have made his choice but will not disclose it until Wednesday on ESPNU just in case something changes over the next couple days. If I had to guess: Nebraska.
- Shaydon Akuna – LB – 4 Star. Rivals says it is down to two schools for the prep linebacker out of Hawaii: Oregon State and Florida State. They also say to not count out the appeal of staying close to home and playing with HS friends at the University of Hawaii. Akuna has said he really likes the Oregon State coaching staff. If I had to guess: Oregon State.
- Soma Vainuku – FB/LB – 4 Star. Vainuku is from Northern California and could play a few different positions. His list of preferred schools is down to Arizona State, USC, and Oregon State. The word is he wants to commit to USC but they have yet to extend an offer. Arizona State was Vainuku’s leader prior to USC’s showing interest lately. Rivals says his family is pushing for Oregon State. If I had to guess: Arizona State.
- Christian Thomas – TE – 4 Star. Thomas was said to have Oregon State in the lead after his visit a few weeks ago but things have changed since then. USC’s coaching drama has straightened out and now Lane Kiffin and crew are making a big push for Thomas. His final three schools are USC, Miami, and Oregon State. If I had to guess: USC.
- Eric Bennett – ATH – 3 Star. Bennett is somewhat of a long shot for the Beavers. He has verbally committed to Arkansas but has since planned a trip out to Corvallis (that was cancelled due to weather). Rivals says that if Bennett doesn’t sign on Wednesday it may be because he is planning on making the trek to Corvallis where his former teammate Micheal Doctor is an incoming greyshirt linebacker. If I had to guess: Arkansas.
Other Notes:
- Kirifi Taula – DT – 3 Star. Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune says the the Arizona commit is still considering Oregon State and Washington.
- Ricky Heimuli – DT – 4 Star. Heimuli has apparently eliminated the Beavers and may be close to committing with Utah.
- 4 Star commit Happy Iona will not be signing because he is academically ineligible. Expect Oregon State to track Iona, assuming he goes the JC route.
- Eggers also says that Vainuku did get an offer from USC but wasn’t ready to commit. Rivals was unable to verify that.
- Rivals has also been alluding to a “surprise recruit” that may commit to the Beavers on Wednesday. They haven’t named any names but most likely it is an under the radar type rather than a big-time commitment switch.
