By Brandon Huffman
Scout.com/FOX SPORTS WEST.com
The stretch run is in full effect, with National Signing Day for the 2011 class less than a week away.
While most of the Golden State's top prospects have made their commitments, there are still a handful of California natives that are still in play.
So who's left? Start with seven members of the Scout National 300, who've yet to make a decision or have softened a commit and taken trips elsewhere.
The highest rated Californian left on the board is Anaheim Servite offensive tackle Troy Niklas. The 6-7 Niklas has officially visited Stanford and USC the last two weekends and will take a trip out to Notre Dame this coming weekend before he announces on National Signing Day on FoxSportsWest.com. The feeling on Niklas is that it will come down to a Notre Dame-USC battle.
Right behind him is Gardena Serra's Marqise Lee, the third-ranked safety nationally by Scout.com. The UnderArmour All-American is down to Miami, Florida, USC and Oregon, but the feeling on Lee is that he will join his Serra teammate George Farmer and reunite with another former Serra mate, Robert Woods, at USC. Lee will also announce his decision on Signing Day on FoxSportsWest.com.
Going down to San Diego, and Point Loma defensive tackle Christian Heyward has one more official visit to take, and he'll stay close to home this weekend and visit San Diego State. Also an UnderArmour All-American, Heyward is down to Oregon, USC and San Diego State and there is reason to think he may stay in America's Finest City and play for the hometown Aztecs.
Moreno Valley Rancho Verde tight end Junior Pomee is the 10th ranked player at his position, and he's down to Arizona, Utah and USC. All three schools have had players from Rancho Verde on their recent rosters, but the feeling on Pomee is that it's a Utah-USC battle, and he's been going back and forth between each.
Westlake Village Oaks Christian tight end Dillon van der Wal and Corona Centennial quarterback Michael Eubank have both committed to Arizona State, but the Sun Devils have had to sweat out official visits last weekend and one last trip for each this coming weekend. Eubank tripped to Utah last weekend and will be in Pittsburgh for his final trip. van der Wal visited Arkansas and will trip to Vanderbilt this weekend. Both are saying they're still committed to Arizona State. Eubank will make his final choice on Signing Day on FoxSportsWest.com
That leaves Encino Crespi receiver Devin Lucien as the final Scout 300 member to make his choice. Lucien has 20+ offers but recently trimmed his list down to Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, Utah and Miami. Lucien will visit either Miami or Utah this weekend, but we think it's an Arizona State, Colorado or UCLA battle for the four-star.
A couple of players outside the Scout 300 have made commitments to Pac-10 schools, but have been taking trips and will finalize their choices too. Los Angeles Crenshaw offensive guard Marcus Martin has been an SC commit for months, but visited Arizona last week and will trip to Colorado this week.
Lakewood offensive tackle Torian White committed to UCLA in June, but he's been taking trips too. He's tripped to Arizona and Oregon State in addition to UCLA and he'll make his final trip, to USC, this weekend. White is the fourth recruit to announce his decision on FoxSportsWest.com on Signing Day.
Another name to watch is Inglewood athlete Patrick Onwuasor, who's deciding between Arizona State, Arizona, Nebraska and Miami.
FOXSportsWest.com will countdown to signing day with exclusive content each day. Log on Friday and see Huffman's rankings and mark your calendar for Monday, Jan. 31 for a chat with Huffman from 11 a.m.
