By Brandon Huffman
Scout.com/FOX SPORTS WEST.com
January 29, 2011
As we stand just four days away from Signing Day, there have been some last-minute surprises in the Pac-10, some posturing for final visits from committed players, and plenty of worry and speculation from the schools that have to wait out their commits taking visits.
Arizona State stands as the most on edge, with two Southland four-stars visiting other schools this weekend, despite being committed to the Sun Devils.
Westlake Village Oaks Christian tight end/defensive end Dillon van der Wal is the highest rated commit for the Sun Devils on their board. He committed to Arizona State, where his dad went, back in November, but two late SEC offers, from Arkansas and Vanderbilt, and two consecutive visits on respective weekends, has the Sun Devil staff sweating.
If that's not bad enough, Corona Centennial quarterback Michael Eubank, another four-star committed to the Sun Devils, is in Pittsburgh for his final official visit, where the new Panthers staff is trying to woo him.
New Pac-12 member Colorado has a player who's already switched one time, Van Nuys Montclair Prep lineman Stephen Nembot, in Boulder for the weekend. A one-time commit to Washington State, Nembot decommitted from the Cougars and committed to Washington a week ago. Now the Buffs staff is hoping he'll do the same one more time.
Moreno Valley Rancho Verde tight end Junior Pomee was at one point, a commit to UCLA, but he changed it up almost immediately. He'll decide next week between USC and Utah. The Utes are also hoping to hold on to his Mustangs teammate, cornerback Ryan Henderson, who's been committed to Kyle Whittingham since spring. But USC, who Henderson grew up watching, made an offer during the season, so know Henderson, too, must decide between the pair. It could be a solid package deal for either school.
Washington didn't just take Nembot away from a Pac-12 foe, they welcomed the Utes into the conference by taking away their quarterback commit in Vista Murrieta signal-caller Derrick Brown.
Brown received a late offer from Washington, and despite a spring commitment to the Utes, took the Huskies offer after visiting Seattle a week ago. That softened the blow of the Huskies own decommitment. Los Angeles Dorsey passer Joseph Gray, himself a verbal to the Huskies, decommitted and chose San Jose State a week ago.
The most high profile player who could still be in play come from Las Vegas but affects both the Los Angeles schools. Las Vegas Bishop Gorman five-star Jalen Grimble committed to USC back in May, but last weekend took an official visit to Miami. He was scheduled to visit UCLA this weekend, after having an in-home visit with Rick Neuheisel, but didn't end up taking his trip.
Still, Grimble may be changing his commitment from the Trojans before all is said and done, and UCLA could be a school that benefits.
Washington State went into the Inland Empire to help their running back corps with a late offer to Etiwanda running back Marcus Mason. The speedy back became a need for the Cougars when they lost in-state running back Bishop Sankey to Washington.
Cal took a couple of Southland kids from Washington (who seems to be involved in just about every high-profile decommitment) when they snagged cornerback Joel Willis from Garden Grove Pacifica and running back Brendon Bigelow from Fresno Central.
In fact, the only team who's really been immune to losing commits is the two-time Pac-10 champions, Oregon. The Ducks lone loss was of Texas native Johnny Manziel, who ultimately picked Texas A&M, his childhood favorite, once they offered.
But if the week of Signing Day has taught us anything, it's that no commitment it safe until the Letter-of-Intent is signed.
