With Signing Day only one week away, many of California's top prospects remain uncommitted. Here is a look at some of the top players who have yet to decide which college football program they will join.
The first Wednesday of February marks the first day of the signing period for college football. Because most of the players sign their letters of intent (LOI) on this day, it's deemed appropriately Signing Day. However, the signing period runs through April 1, and in reality, players don't need to sign an LOI at all in order to be placed on scholarship to play football in the fall.
But technicalities aside, Feb. 1 is still the big day in college football recruiting as the vast majority of prospective student athletes will sign paperwork that binds them to their school of choice. Most players around the country have already announced where they will be signing, but the verbal commitment isn't binding until pen hits paper next week.
Here is a look at some of the top players around California who have yet to announce where they'll play in 2012.
Arik Armstead (6'8/275) Pleasant Grove, No. 1 OT nationally
Normally, Armstead might be a candidate to consider waiting until after Signing Day to make a decision. He's not only Scout's No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the entire country, he's also a D1 basketball player. Armstead is one of the few guys who could get by without signing an LOI and telling a team in June that he's enrolling, and they'd find a scholarship for him.
Armstead has his heart set on being a defensive lineman, a position in which he's serviceable. But it's not an exaggeration for me to say that he'd be the best offensive tackle prospect I've scouted in 10 years if he dedicated himself to the position.
An early USC commitment, Cal seemed to be the frontrunner until the loss of recruiting coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who left for Washington. Auburn and Notre Dame looked like popular picks at one point, but now the Scouts at Scout think Oregon will be the final destination.
Kyle Murphy (6'7/275) San Clemente, No. 4 OT
Murphy would be the top offensive tackle prospect in the country in most seasons, but this isn't most seasons when it comes to offensive linemen. He's got the ideal build to play the left tackle position, and he's got the mindset to dominate his opponents. If Armstead goes through with playing on the defensive side of the ball, Murphy becomes the state's best tackle prospect, and there's reason to believe he's the best anyway.
While Murphy hasn't given much away during the recruiting process, Stanford has long been considered the leader.
Bryce Treggs (5'11/180) St. John Bosco, No. 5 WR
Treggs is the most polished, college-ready receiver in the state. He's got deep threat speed with precise route running and sticky hands. Treggs was considered a lock to Cal right up until the time he made a commitment to the Golden Bears. He's flirted with some other schools by taking official visits including UCLA in late January. He'll be on Fox SportsWest to announce his final decision and sign his paperwork on Signing Day. If it's anyone but Cal, it will be a tremendous recruiting coup.
Darreus Rogers (6'2/195) Carson, No. 10 WR
Rogers, like Treggs, has been committed for a long time, but with Rogers it's been USC. While Treggs is the most game ready, Rogers might have the most upside with his size and speed. He has the ability to adjust in the air and contort his body for catch. Rogers took an official visit to Arizona State on Jan. 20, but is still expected to sign with the Trojans on Feb. 1.
Aziz Shittu (6'3/275) Buhach Colony, No. 14 DT
Shittu is an active 4-3 defensive tackle who has good quickness and can split a double team while getting penetration in the backfield. Shittu committed to Stanford early in the process, but backed off of that verbal commitment before the summer. He ran the gamut of official visits including Cal, USC and Texas A&M, but it wouldn't be a surprise to anyone to see him end up back with Stanford on Signing Day.
Jordan Payton (6'2/205) Oaks Christian, No. 15 WR
Like Armstead, Payton was an early commitment to USC. In fact, he committed to the Trojans before his junior season had even begun. But Payton and USC went their separate ways and he was part of Cal's big Army All-American day splash when he announced on national television for the Golden Bears with 5-Star safety Shaq Thompson and 5-Star defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy. McCarthy was the first casualty of Lupoi's exit to Washington when he switched to UCLA, and Payton could follow him out the door. Washington looks like a strong candidate for Payton, but he is scheduled to announce on Fox Sports West on Signing Day.
Seth Jacobs (6'2/215) Arroyo Grande 4-Star LB
Maybe the most under-appreciated prospect in the state is Arroyo Grande's Seth Jacobs. He doesn't generate near the buzz as some of his Class of 2012 compadres do, but all he does is make plays. He helped lead his team to a 13-1 record and a CIF Title. Oklahoma State is the leader for Jacobs.
Kenny Lawler (6'3/185) Upland 4-Star WR
Lawler is a big play waiting to happen. A smooth route runner with a feel for finding the openings in coverage, he can also leap over smaller defensive backs to haul in the long passes along the sidelines.The turnover in coaches in the Pac-12 took its toll on players, and Lawler was once committed to Arizona State. Oregon State looks to be in good shape with Lawler.
Jaydon Mickens (5'9/175) Dorsey, 4-Star WR
Another former USC commitment - there seems to be a pattern developing here, which is understandable when a team is limited to15 scholarships rather than 25 - Mickens is a do-everything athlete. He filled in at quarterback admirably for Dorsey when their starter went down. He needs to be in space and is perfect in a wide open offense in the slot. Oklahoma State could capitalize on its big 2011 season with two 4-Star players from California if they reel in Jacobs and Mickens.
Randall Goforth (5'11/175) Long Beach Poly CB/WR
The playmaker on the Jackrabbits' talented defense, Goforth played fulltime at cornerback and logged time at receiver. He's another casualty of the massive coaching turnover being committed to Arizona State. He still considers himself a commitment to the Sun Devils, and he has four teammates still committed to Arizona State, but Goforth recently took official visits to UCLA and Washington.
By Scott Kennedy | Scout.com
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