The News Tribune’s 2016 Western 100
Top high school recruits from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Western Canada, as selected by The News Tribune after polling coaches and various media outlets.
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QUARTERBACK (10)
Ian Book, 6-1/195, El Dorado, Calif. (Oak Ridge)
Committed to Notre Dame
Daniel Bridge-Gadd, 6-2/200, Phoenix (Paradise Valley)
Committed to Washington
KJ Costello, 6-5/210, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic)
Committed to Stanford
Jacob Eason, 6-6/215, Lake Stevens
Signed letter of intent with Georgia
Matt Fink, 6-3/180, Glendora, Calif.
Signed letter of intent with USC
Malik Henry, 6-3/175, Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Poly)
Signed letter of intent with Florida State
Karé Lyles, 6-2/210, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro)
Committed to Wisconsin
Devon Modster, 6-2/215, Rancho Santa , Calif. (Tesoro)
Committed to UCLA
Mason Moran, 6-3/185, Chandler, Ariz.
Committed to Oregon State
Patrick O’Brien, 6-4/225, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (San Juan Hills)
Signed letter of intent with Nebraska
Scouting report: Not a great year for signal callers in the West — or across the country for that matter. Eason, in a battle with IMG Academy (Fla.) standout Shea Patterson as the top quarterback prospect in the country, is arguably the best quarterback recruit to ever come out of the state of Washington. A pure dropback passer, Eason had reopened his recruiting after coach Mark Richt was fired at Georgia in late November, but re-upped with the Bulldogs two weeks later over Florida. The program’s best quarterback prospect since Aaron Murray in 2009, Eason enrolled this winter semester, and likely will challenge for the starting spot immediately. … Henry was also an early enrollee at Florida State. He threw two touchdowns in the Under Armour All-America game. … A childhood USC fan, Costello instead opted for Stanford. He threw for nearly 7,000 yards and 54 touchdowns in high school, and wrote a U.S. Army All-American game diary for USA Today.
RUNNING BACK (6)
Beau Bisharat, 6-2/215, Carmichael, Calif. (Jesuit)
Considering Arizona State, Boise State, Cal, Colorado, UCLA
Demetric Felton, 5-9/180, Temecula, Calif. (Great Oak)
Signed letter of intent with UCLA
Vavae Malepeai, 6-0/200, Mililani, Hawaii
Committed to Oregon
Alexander Mattison, 6-0/200, San Bernardino, Calif.
Committed to Boise State
Sean McGrew, 5-7/175, Bellflower, Calif. (St. John Bosco)
Committed to Washington
J.J. Taylor, 5-6/160, Corona, Calif. (Centennial)
Committed to Arizona
Scouting report: In 2017, Alabama commit Najee Harris will arguably be the top running back to sign in the country out of Antioch High in California. Until then … recruiters will have to suffer through a down year. When it’s all said and done, McGrew’s national-caliber sprinter speed might highlight him as the best member of this class. He should fit into the Huskies’ offensive backfield nicely with Myles Gaskin and Chico McClatcher. … For the sixth consecutive season, the Ducks secured a pledge from a U.S. Army All-American tailback. This time, it was Malapeai — Hawaii’s all-time leading rusher with 4,549 yards and 71 touchdowns — who gained a game-high 74 yards at the all-star game in San Antonio. He displayed good vision, patience and toughness — and an array of nifty spin moves. Malapeai was also selected the winner of the inaugural Marcus Mariota Award as this season’s state player of the year.
WIDE RECEIVER (12)
Damian Alloway, 5-10/170, Fontana, Calif. (Summit)
Considering Notre Dame, UCLA
Chase Claypool, 6-5/215, Abbotsford, B.C. (Abbotsford Senior Secondary)
Committed to Notre Dame
Dylan Crawford, 6-1/170, Santa Margarita, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic)
Committed to Michigan
Simi Fehoko, 6-4/180, Salt Lake City (Brighton)
Committed to Stanford
N’Keal Harry, 6-3/220, Chandler, Ariz.
Committed to Arizona State
Theo Howard, 6-0/180, Westlake Village, Calif. (Westlake)
Signed letter of intent with UCLA
Collin Johnson, 6-5/200, San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian)
Signed letter of intent with Texas
Matt Laris, 6-4/215, Sammamish (Eastside Catholic)
Committed to Cal
Dymond Lee, 6-2/170, West Hills, Calif. (Chaminade)
Committed to UCLA
Javon McKinley, 6-2/205, Corona, Calif. (Centennial)
Committed to Notre Dame
Chris Taylor-Yamanoha, 6-3/185, Rohnert Park, Calif. (Rancho Cotate)
Committed to Louisville
Tyler Vaughns, 6-2/170, La Puente, Calif. (Bishop Amat)
Committed to USC
Scouting report: A run of Arizona playmakers signing with out-of-state powerhouses appears to stop this season with Harry, a long, rangy, deep threat who chose Arizona State over Washington and Texas A&M. He is a true show-stopper — even making national news in December by shattering a backboard during basketball season. … After hauling in 97 passes for 2,062 yards and 25 touchdowns in his junior season, McKinley surged to the top of many recruiting boards. And he is the centerpiece of Notre Dame’s pass-catching haul, being able to play inside or outside. … The Irish also secured a commitment from Claypool, the first Canadian to make The News Tribune’s “Northwest Nuggets.” A long-term project, he oozes with upside. … If UCLA beats Notre Dame on Alloway, the Bruins would have a pair of top-100 recruits. Howard is the other one. … Fast and versatile, Vaughns could be the best of the bunch as a top-30 recruit overall. His USC commitment appears shaky, at best.
TIGHT END (3)
Devin Asiasi, 6-5/275, Concord, Calif. (De La Salle)
Considering Michigan, UCLA, USC, Washington, Alabama
Jacob Kizer, 6-5/245, Salem, Ore. (West Salem)
Committed to Washington
Cam McCormick, 6-5/225, Bend, Ore. (Summit)
Committed to Oregon
Scouting report: One of the remaining hotly contested recruiting battles is for the West’s only true blue-chip tight end prospect — Asiasi. A top-50 recruit overall, Asiasi was recruited as both a tight end and defensive lineman, but he has made it clear he wants to play offense. UCLA and USC are considered the favorites, but watch out for a late push by Michigan for the teenager, who displayed surprisingly good receiving skills at U.S. Army All-American practices.
OFFENSIVE LINE (15)
Alex Akingbulu, 6-6/265, Harbor City, Calif. (Nathaniel Narbonne)
Committed to UCLA
Michael Alves, 6-5/320, San Diego (Saint Augustine)
Committed to UCLA
Sean Auwae, 6-4/305, Kapolei, Hawaii
Committed to Vanderbilt
Kole Bailey, 6-5/285, Twin Falls, Idaho
Committed to Boise State
Logan Bathke, 6-5/270, Orange, Calif. (Orange Lutheran)
Committed to Oregon
Cohl Cabral, 6-5/250, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Los Osos)
Committed to Arizona State
Jacob Capra, 6-5/275, Auburn, Calif. (Placer)
Signed letter of intent with Oregon
Michael Eletise, 6-4/300, Honolulu (Kaiser)
Committed to Arizona
Henry Hattis, 6-7/275, Rio Rancho, N.M. (Cleveland)
Committed to Stanford
Daniel Juarez, 6-5/290, Corona, Calif. (Centennial)
Committed to Cal
Keenan King, 6-4/300, Las Vegas (Arbor View)
Committed to Washington State
Frank Martin II, 6-6/300, Santa Ana, Calif. (Mater Dei)
Committed to USC
Nathan Smith, 6-7/275, Murrieta, Calif. (Mesa)
Signed letter of intent with USC
Luke Wattenberg, 6-5/275, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (JSerra Catholic)
Committed to Washington
Jonah Williams, 6-5/295, Folsom, Calif.
Signed letter of intent with Alabama
Scouting report: Alabama won this season’s inaugural Joe Moore Award for top offensive line in college football. And the Crimson Tide came into Pac-12 territory — specifically close to chief supreme-blocking rival Stanford — to grab Williams, a top-25 recruit nationally and arguably the second-best tackle prospect behind Texas standout Gregory Little (Ole Miss commit). To be fair, Williams has ties to the South — his father went to Georgia, and his mother attended Auburn. As impressive as his frame is his speed to get out and block on perimeter passes. … Coaches joke that Eletise, the West’s top interior lineman, plays like a “robot” because he repeats the same mechanics over and over again. He is the gem of the Wildcats’ large incoming offensive-line class, and could play immediately. … Typically, Stanford fares well out of state. This year is no exception with 11 out-of-California recruits.
LINEBACKER (11)
Krys Barnes, 6-2/225, Bakersfield, Calif. (Liberty)
Committed to UCLA
Eric Briscoe Jr., 6-3/215, Yakima (Davis)
Committed to Oregon
JoJo Domann, 6-1/210, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Pine Creek)
Committed to Nebraska
Camilo Eifler, 6-2/210, Oakland, Calif. (Bishop O’Dowd)
Committed to Washington
Darrian Franklin, 6-2/205, Downey, Calif.
Committed to Oregon
Mique Juarez, 6-3/210, Torrance, Calif. (North)
Considering Ole Miss, UCLA, Alabama
Caleb Kelly, 6-3/220, Fresno, Calif. (Clovis West)
Considering Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Oregon
Keenan Pili, 6-3/205, Provo, Utah (Timpview)
Committed to BYU
Curtis Robinson, 6-3/210, Santa Ana, Calif. (Mater Dei)
Committed to Stanford
Lokeni Toailoa, 6-2/210, Rialto, Calif. (Carter)
Signed letter of intent with UCLA
Bryce Youngquist, 6-2/215, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Los Osos)
Committed to Oklahoma
Scouting report: Get used to hearing these two names — Juarez and Kelly — over the few remaining days of recruiting. Both are top-20 prospects nationally. Both were USA Today first-team defense members who played in the U.S. Army All-American game. And both are still uncommitted. Juarez, a former USC commit, is the bigger prize — arguably the most decorated recruit to ever come out of North Torrance. Most want him at linebacker, outside or in the middle. UCLA has talked to him about playing both ways — Juarez scored 60 touchdowns as a quarterback last fall. … Kelly is the reigning Butkus Award winner for the nation’s top high school linebacker. Seen as an outside linebacker, Kelly is equally dominant as a pass rusher and against the run. And listen up, Seattle — his dream is to play for the Seahawks.
DEFENSIVE LINE (12)
Oluwole Betiku, 6-4/245, Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra)
Signed letter of intent with USC
Breland Brandt, 6-4/220, Los Angeles (Windward)
Signed letter of intent with UCLA
Isaac Garcia, 6-4/225, Bellevue
Committed to Oregon State
Justin Holt, 6-3/300, Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe Catholic)
Committed to Arizona
Carlo Kemp, 6-3/255, Boulder, Colo. (Fairview)
Committed to Michigan
Osawaru Odighizuwa, 6-3/260, Portland (David Douglas)
Committed to UCLA
Garrett Rand, 6-3/280, Chandler, Ariz. (Hamilton)
Committed to Wisconsin
Boss Tagaloa, 6-3/295, Concord, Calif. (De La Salle)
Considering Cal, Michigan, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington
Maxs Tupai, 6-2/245, Murray, Utah
Considering BYU, Oklahoma, Oregon State, USC, Utah
Evan Weaver, 6-3/245, Spokane (Gonzaga Prep)
Committed to Cal
Amandre Williams, 6-3/210, Maple Valley (Tahoma)
Committed to Washington
Bryson Young, 6-6/230, Clovis, Calif. (Buchanan)
Committed to Oregon
Scouting report: This is easily the deepest and most talented position group nationally in recruiting for 2016. At least six of the top 10 recruits in the country play on the defensive line. The West’s top pass rusher is Betiku, a native of Nigeria who was adopted by former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington. When Arrington moved out to California for a job with the NFL Network, Betiku came with him — and played at Serra. His combination of natural strength and burst has made him a top-50 recruit nationally. He initially gave an oral commitment to UCLA, but switched and enrolled this winter semester with the Trojans. … UCLA is set to do just fine anyway. The Bruins reeled in Brandt, the No. 2 defensive end in the region and who played in the U.S. Army All-American game, and Odighizuwa, who is the nation’s top-ranked prep heavyweight wrestler. They are also one of the favorites to land Tagaloa, the West’s top interior lineman who has the frame and maturity to step in and play immediately.
ATHLETE (10)
Brandon Burton, 6-0/185, Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra)
Considering Florida State, UCLA, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC
Lamar Jackson, 6-3/190, Elk Grove, Calif. (Franklin)
Considering Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon
Chase Lucas, 6-1/181, Chandler, Ariz.
Committed to Arizona State
Darian Owens, 6-2/195, Fresno, Calif. (Clovis West)
Committed to UCLA
Michael Pittman, 6-4/205, Westlake Village, Calif. (Oaks Christian)
Signed letter of intent with USC
Trevon Sidney, 5-11/160, La Puente, Calif. (Bishop Amat)
Committed to USC
Melquise Stovall, 5-8/180, Lancaster, Calif. (Paraclete)
Signed letter of intent with Cal
Khalil Tate, 6-2/193, Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra)
Committed to Arizona
Brandon Wellington, 6-0/215, Sammamish (Eastside Catholic)
Committed to Washington
La’Mar Winston, 6-3/210, Portland (Central Catholic)
Committed to Oregon
Scouting report: What a deep group of versatile, do-everything contributors in the West. Jackson, a top-75 recruit nationally, is equally impressive in all three phases. Most schools see him as a cornerback or free safety, as well as a game-breaking special teams returner. … Like Jackson, Pittman is a big athlete (6-4, 210) who can play on offense at wide receiver or safety on defense. He was one of the Trojans’ first recruits in this class, and enrolled early. … Even for all that Wellington did at Eastside Catholic as a running back, safety and returner, he still might be a tad underrated. UW sees him long term at linebacker.
DEFENSIVE BACK (15)
Brady Breeze, 6-1/200, Portland (Central Catholic)
Committed to Oregon
Treyjohn Butler, 5-11/185, Etiwanda, Calif.
Committed to Stanford
Marquel Dismuke, 6-2/185, Carson, Calif. (Calabasas)
Committed to Nebraska
Isaiah Gilchrist, 6-0/180, Bellevue
Committed to Washington
Jack Jones, 5-11/160, Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Poly)
Considering Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC
David Long, 5-10/175, Los Angeles (Loyola)
Committed to Michigan
Kentrell Love, 6-2/175, Corona, Calif. (Centennial)
Committed to Washington
D.J. Morgan, 6-3/210, Bellflower, Calif. (St. John Bosco)
Committed to Notre Dame
Byron Murphy, 6-0/170, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro)
Committed to Washington
Jordan Parker, 5-11/185, Pittsburg, Calif.
Committed to Oklahoma
C.J. Pollard, 6-1/180, Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra)
Signed letter of intent with USC
Taylor Rapp, 6-0/195, Bellingham (Sehome)
Signed letter of intent with Washington
Gavin Robertson, 6-2/200, Auburn (Auburn Mountainview)
Committed to Arizona
Shurod Thompson, 6-2/195, Brentwood, Calif. (Liberty)
Committed to Oregon State
Troy Warner, 6-2/185, San Marcos, Calif. (Mission Hills)
Committed to BYU
Scouting report: Last year, it was Poly’s Iman Marshall who was the West’s top cornerback recruit. Jones is just as highly-regarded at the same position. Initially thought to be a receiver prospect in the mold of Percy Harvin, but last summer he declared his preference for defense. In fact, he had an interception in the U.S. Army All-American game for the West squad. … It cannot be said Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh won’t do anything to lock up a recruit. During an in-home visit with Long, another elite cornerback, Harbaugh was seen climbing a tree to retrieve a football thrown by one of Long’s brothers. … With the chance of cornerback Sidney Jones and safety Budda Baker leaving after next season, UW stockpiled blue-chip defensive backs with Gilchrist, Love, Rapp and Murphy — arguably Arizona’s top prospect as a cornerback.
SPECIALIST (6)
Long snapper Turner Bernard, 6-1/205, Glendale, Ariz. (Mountain Ridge)
Committed to San Diego State
Kicker Caleb Lightbourn, 6-3/210, Camas
Committed to Nebraska
Kicker Connor Culp, 5-11/195, Phoenix (Desert Vista)
Committed to LSU
Punter Van Soderberg, 6-0/200, Olympia (Capital)
Committed to Washington
Kicker Skyler Southam, 6-0/185, Heber City, Utah (Wasatch)
Committed to BYU
Kicker Jet Toner, 6-3/185, Honolulu (Punahou)
Committed to Stanford
Scouting report: Southam, the West’s No. 1 placekicking prospect, put his powerful leg on display at last summer’s FBU Top Gun Showcase in Ohio, where he kicked a 57-yard field goal in the finals of competition to nab a berth to the U.S. Army All-American game. The Utah record holder for made field goals was also a finalist for the Chris Sailer Award as the nation’s top senior kicker. … Culp also had a banner summer, making a 57-yard field goal in front of LSU coaches to earn a full-ride scholarship — which he accepted. ... Soderberg is the West’s top-rated punter (39.0 yards per punt as senior, 11 inside 20-yard line) and will enroll at UW this spring. With Korey Durkee graduating, Soderberg will compete with Tristan Vizcaino for the starting spot.
This story was originally published January 30, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "The News Tribune’s 2016 Western 100."