More from Theo
Four-star Westlake receiver Theo Howard is taking his final official visit to Texas A&M this weekend and he’s expected to announce a commitment anytime in the next week or two. In order to get the scoop on where Howard’s head is at heading into this final official visit, our Blair Angulo went out to speak with him Friday night:
How much of a threat is A&M?
"I like how they play freshmen and have guys like Christian Kirk who can step up early," Howard said. "But I'm really just interested to be in that atmosphere, having fun and being at Kyle Field."
On UCLA's losses having an effect on how he views them ...
"Not at all," Howard said. "It's more about the promise. Everyone loses games, so it's nothing serious for me."
On USC losing its head coach...
"Both (local) schools are very even, so I'm just waiting to see what they do with the coaching staff," Howard said.
But it doesn't appear he'll wait until things are sorted out at Troy ... On decision time frame...
"I'll probably take my visit to A&M and then announce a decision next week or the week after that," Howard said. "It's coming soon. I want to get it over with. I'm still weighing things out, but I think I know."
He wore these for the game and, at one point during warm ups, took them off and placed them on the turf nearby. When a teammate walked by the gloves, Theo said, "Hey man, watch your step."
No coaches out
Because of the two Thursday night games, UCLA had planned to use the ensuing Friday nights to head out for recruiting.
A source said that didn't happen this weekend, however, as the coaches stayed in late Friday breaking down Stanford and previewing Cal.
Coaches are expected to hit the road next Friday, as the game against Colorado is not until Oct. 31.
Starks dismissed
The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this week that UCLA running back commit Jalen Starks has been dismissed from Crespi’s football team.
Starks’ mom told the L.A. Times that Crespi head coach Troy Thomas’ relationship with Starks was not a good one: “Thomas constantly picks at my son and others’ self-esteem and doesn’t want to deal with parents. He never tried to work with Jalen.”
When reached via text message Saturday evening, Starks declined to comment on the matter.
In talking with a few people close to the situation Sunday, it sounds like UCLA will still honor his commitment.
Friday night lights updates
Adam Gorney went out to check in on coveted UCLA 2017 target Wyatt Davis. BSR was out at Salesian – Cathedral. Here were the notes:
*Wyatt Davis is incredibly nice and friendly off the field. When it's game time, it's a completely different story.
The 2017 four-star is an offensive guard but plays tackle in Bosco's offense and does a really nice job. Davis, rated as the second-best offensive guard and No. 27 overall in the junior class, blocks after the whistle, handles speed off the edge pretty well and is just tough and strong all game.
It is almost certain Davis will move inside when he gets to college and that should be fine because he's not a finesse player, Davis likes to get after it.
*2017 commits Rahyme Johnson and Rhedi Short went to battle against each other Friday night, and neither really impressed. Johnson has a very good frame with really nice athleticism, so at least his upside is there. But Cathedral spread out Salesian’s defense, forcing Johnson into coverage and space, and he just couldn’t hang with wideouts. He did flash when he was rushing the passer, and given how bad the ’17 LB class looks in California early on, he’s got a shot to be ranked as maybe the top OLB in the state heading into the spring.
As for Rhedi, I like the way he plays safety. He’s a real downhill kind of guy and he’s not afraid to throw his body around. But he wasn’t terribly athletic and his coverage skills appeared to be just average. It’ll be interesting to see how he progresses through the spring and summer. If you had to give out star ratings for the two right now, you'd probably pin Johnson as a low four-star and Short as a three-star.
Short Shots
-Four-star defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence is taking an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. He visited UCLA for the Arizona State game earlier this month. Here’s what our Ohio State site gathered from him Friday night:
Lawrence has already trimmed his list to a top five that includes Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Washington and UCLA. The big lineman has already visited UCLA and has an official visit to Washington in the planning stages as well.
But being down in the south, is he feeling a lot of pressure to stay close to home with Alabama and LSU both in his top five?
"At the end of the day it is going to be my decision," Lawrence said.
-UCLA is beginning to get involved with 2017 Texas DB Javelin Guidry, who has big family ties to Westwood.
-Four-star QB Ryan Kelley, who is UCLA’s top 2017 QB priority, is looking to make his college choice in just a few weeks. Blair Angulo reports he’ll likely see a UCLA game with his parents “soon” after missing his planned unofficial for the ASU game earlier this month.
-Four-star ATH Brandon Burton spoke with Adam Gorney about his FSU visit here. UCLA still looks to be the behind-the-scenes leader here.
-Four-star ATH Michael Pittman visited UCLA for its practice Sunday morning and then took a tour of the school. As an early enrollee, he might try to make it to campus before SC even decides on a new head coach. In speaking with a source close to the situation Sunday afternoon, there's optimism in Westwood that he may flip back to the Bruins.
-Keep an eye on 2017 Pomona linebacker Javaris Steward. Hearing UCLA is taking a long look at the 6-foot-2, 227-poound prospect.
Four-star Westlake receiver Theo Howard is taking his final official visit to Texas A&M this weekend and he’s expected to announce a commitment anytime in the next week or two. In order to get the scoop on where Howard’s head is at heading into this final official visit, our Blair Angulo went out to speak with him Friday night:
How much of a threat is A&M?
"I like how they play freshmen and have guys like Christian Kirk who can step up early," Howard said. "But I'm really just interested to be in that atmosphere, having fun and being at Kyle Field."
On UCLA's losses having an effect on how he views them ...
"Not at all," Howard said. "It's more about the promise. Everyone loses games, so it's nothing serious for me."
On USC losing its head coach...
"Both (local) schools are very even, so I'm just waiting to see what they do with the coaching staff," Howard said.
But it doesn't appear he'll wait until things are sorted out at Troy ... On decision time frame...
"I'll probably take my visit to A&M and then announce a decision next week or the week after that," Howard said. "It's coming soon. I want to get it over with. I'm still weighing things out, but I think I know."
He wore these for the game and, at one point during warm ups, took them off and placed them on the turf nearby. When a teammate walked by the gloves, Theo said, "Hey man, watch your step."
No coaches out
Because of the two Thursday night games, UCLA had planned to use the ensuing Friday nights to head out for recruiting.
A source said that didn't happen this weekend, however, as the coaches stayed in late Friday breaking down Stanford and previewing Cal.
Coaches are expected to hit the road next Friday, as the game against Colorado is not until Oct. 31.
Starks dismissed
The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this week that UCLA running back commit Jalen Starks has been dismissed from Crespi’s football team.
Starks’ mom told the L.A. Times that Crespi head coach Troy Thomas’ relationship with Starks was not a good one: “Thomas constantly picks at my son and others’ self-esteem and doesn’t want to deal with parents. He never tried to work with Jalen.”
When reached via text message Saturday evening, Starks declined to comment on the matter.
In talking with a few people close to the situation Sunday, it sounds like UCLA will still honor his commitment.
Friday night lights updates
Adam Gorney went out to check in on coveted UCLA 2017 target Wyatt Davis. BSR was out at Salesian – Cathedral. Here were the notes:
*Wyatt Davis is incredibly nice and friendly off the field. When it's game time, it's a completely different story.
The 2017 four-star is an offensive guard but plays tackle in Bosco's offense and does a really nice job. Davis, rated as the second-best offensive guard and No. 27 overall in the junior class, blocks after the whistle, handles speed off the edge pretty well and is just tough and strong all game.
It is almost certain Davis will move inside when he gets to college and that should be fine because he's not a finesse player, Davis likes to get after it.
*2017 commits Rahyme Johnson and Rhedi Short went to battle against each other Friday night, and neither really impressed. Johnson has a very good frame with really nice athleticism, so at least his upside is there. But Cathedral spread out Salesian’s defense, forcing Johnson into coverage and space, and he just couldn’t hang with wideouts. He did flash when he was rushing the passer, and given how bad the ’17 LB class looks in California early on, he’s got a shot to be ranked as maybe the top OLB in the state heading into the spring.
As for Rhedi, I like the way he plays safety. He’s a real downhill kind of guy and he’s not afraid to throw his body around. But he wasn’t terribly athletic and his coverage skills appeared to be just average. It’ll be interesting to see how he progresses through the spring and summer. If you had to give out star ratings for the two right now, you'd probably pin Johnson as a low four-star and Short as a three-star.
Short Shots
-Four-star defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence is taking an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. He visited UCLA for the Arizona State game earlier this month. Here’s what our Ohio State site gathered from him Friday night:
Lawrence has already trimmed his list to a top five that includes Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Washington and UCLA. The big lineman has already visited UCLA and has an official visit to Washington in the planning stages as well.
But being down in the south, is he feeling a lot of pressure to stay close to home with Alabama and LSU both in his top five?
"At the end of the day it is going to be my decision," Lawrence said.
-UCLA is beginning to get involved with 2017 Texas DB Javelin Guidry, who has big family ties to Westwood.
-Four-star QB Ryan Kelley, who is UCLA’s top 2017 QB priority, is looking to make his college choice in just a few weeks. Blair Angulo reports he’ll likely see a UCLA game with his parents “soon” after missing his planned unofficial for the ASU game earlier this month.
-Four-star ATH Brandon Burton spoke with Adam Gorney about his FSU visit here. UCLA still looks to be the behind-the-scenes leader here.
-Four-star ATH Michael Pittman visited UCLA for its practice Sunday morning and then took a tour of the school. As an early enrollee, he might try to make it to campus before SC even decides on a new head coach. In speaking with a source close to the situation Sunday afternoon, there's optimism in Westwood that he may flip back to the Bruins.
-Keep an eye on 2017 Pomona linebacker Javaris Steward. Hearing UCLA is taking a long look at the 6-foot-2, 227-poound prospect.
