Wilner just emailed out his summary (highly recommended to
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NSD News (you can use)
As was the case on this day last year, our focus is entirely on the early news from the early signing period.
And there is plenty of it ...
• The top story of the morning unfolded just after 11 a.m., when inside linebacker Justin Flowe of Upland, the highest-rated recruit on the west coast,
picked Oregon over USC. The decision perfectly symbolizes the Trojans' overall recruiting failings -- they are ranked in the 70s nationally -- and the ability of Oregon (and others) to take advantage.
• Total exodus count as of 11:30 a.m.: Five of the top-six players in California have, or are expected to sign outside the Pac-12; same with the top-four prospects in Arizona.
• The most significant flip of the morning, which was widely expected, came from receiver Johnny Wilson, who had been committed to Oregon but
signed with Arizona State. (The Sun Devils could finish the day with the best incoming collection of receivers in the conference.)
• Perhaps the most talented player to join the conference this winter isn't a high school senior but a transfer: Defensive end Antonio Alfano, a former five-star signee/enrollee at Alabama, officially
joined the Colorado program. If he stays focused on football and school, Alfano could have a momentous impact on CU.
• EJ Smith, a four-star all-purpose back from Dallas and the son of Emmitt Smith, is headed to Stanford.
This video of the announcement includes touching words from Emmitt on his son's upcoming journey.
• Top-rated defensive tackle to sign with the Pac-12 thus far: Omarr Norman-Lott (No. 35 nationally) with Arizona State.
• Top-rated offensive tackle to sign with the Pac-12: Myles Hinton (No. 8) with Stanford.
• Top-rated guard to sign with the Pac-12: Geirean Hatchett (No. 7) with Washington.
• Five-star prospects signed and sealed to the Pac-12: Washington outside linebacker Sav'ell Smalls, Oregon inside linebacker Noah Sewell, and Flowe.
• Pac-12 teams in the 247sports national rankings, which combine quantity and quality or recruits, as of 12 p.m:
14. Washington
15. Oregon
22. Stanford
32. UCLA
33. Cal
34. Colorado
35. Arizona State
47. Oregon State
56. Utah
57. Washington State
68. Arizona
78. USC
• Pac-12 recruiting classes based on average prospect ranking by Rivals (i.e., quality over quantity):
1. Stanford: 3.5
1. Oregon: 3.5
3. Arizona State: 3.4
4. Washington: 3.36
5. Cal: 3.04
6. Utah: 3.0
7. USC: 3.0
8. UCLA: 3.0
9. Colorado: 2.91
10. Oregon State: 2.9
11. Washington State: 2.89
12. Arizona: 2.53
• Number of four-star signees (per Rivals), by team:
9: Washington
8: Oregon
7: Stanford
6: ASU
3: Colorado and Cal
1: USC, UCLA, OSU and WSU
0: Arizona and Utah
• Top uncommitted/unsigned players within the Pac-12 footprint, with frontrunner:
CB Kelee Ringo (Scottsdale): Georgia
ATH Darnell Washington (Las Vegas): Georgia
WR Gary Bryant Jr. (Corona): USC
DE Jason Harris (Gilbert, AZ): Colorado
AP Daniyel Ngata (Folsom): ASU
Check the Hotline on Thursday for an analysis of the Pac-12's collective haul from Day One. -- Jon Wilner