Pac-12 recruiting: Examining the 12 priority prospects in the class of 2025
The Hotline is delighted to provide Pac-12 fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Seattle-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on Feb. 15 …
With National Signing Day in the rearview mirror for 2024, conference realignment set for the fall and, we think, the coaching carousel having come to a halt, the Hotline presents a look at key recruiting targets for each Pac-12 school for next winter.
ArizonaTarget: OT Logan Powell, Phoenix (Ariz.)/Brophy PrepComment: Powell, the No. 2 recruit in the state in the class of 2025, is a key target for the Wildcats’ new coaching staff. It doesn’t hurt that his older brother, Tyler, plays tight end in Tucson.
Arizona StateTarget: WR Raiden Vines-Bright, Bradenton (Fla.)/IMG AcademyComment: Vines-Bright is a native Arizonan and played at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe before a recent move to IMG. His hometown school is trying not to let him get away.
CaliforniaTarget: OL Jackson Lloyd, Carmel (Calif.)/CarmelComment: Lloyd may end up as the most heavily recruited player from the Monterey Peninsula region, but Cal was one of the first schools to pursue the four-star prospect — before his recruitment exploded.
ColoradoTarget: LB Christian Thatcher, Las Vegas (Nev.)/Arbor ViewComment: Thatcher is the No. 1 defensive recruit in Nevada and the state’s highest-rated player who doesn’t attend powerhouse Bishop Gorman. Colorado offered his brother, a class-of-2027 quarterback, this week, and that moved the Buffs higher on Thatcher’s list. CU coach Deion Sanders has hit the transfer portal hard, but high school recruits haven’t been an emphasis. He has a great shot with Thatcher.
OregonTarget: QB Akili Smith Jr., San Diego (Calif.)/LincolnComment: The son of the former Oregon star is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and the No. 10 player (any position) in California. Smith oozes upside, and he’s passionate about the Ducks — a bonus in that he could be a pied piper who attracts other recruits.
Oregon StateTarget: TE Baron Naone, West Linn (Ore.)/West LinnComment: The one-time Beaver commit opened up his recruitment after coach Jonathan Smith departed for Michigan State. But the four-star prospect — and the No. 1 player in the state in 2025 — still has Oregon State high on his board. His father, Charles, played for OSU.
StanfordTarget: QB Bear Bachmeier, Murrieta (Calif.)/Murrieta ValleyComment: Bachmeier is already committed to the Cardinal as the school made it clear from the outset that he was a priority. His older brother, Tiger, played extensively as a true freshman for Stanford in 2023 even though he was originally recruited by the previous staff. But Bear Bachmeier has been the No. 1 target for Troy Taylor all along.
UCLATarget: QB Husan Longstreet, Corona (Calif.)/CentennialComment: Longstreet was the first 2025 recruit to receive a scholarship offer under former head coach Chip Kelly, and you can bet he remains a priority for DeShaun Foster. He originally played for nearby Inglewood (Calif.) before moving to the Inland Empire.
USCTarget: QB Julian Lewis, Carrollton (Ga.)/CarrolltonComment: Lewis is a USC commit, and the Trojans hope he doesn’t waver after reclassifying from the 2026 class to the 2025 group. Why the concern? Because Georgia is making a surge for him (as are others). USC’s staff has its work cut out.
UtahTarget: OT Aaron Dunn, Spanish Fork (Utah)/Spanish ForkComment: Dunn is the No. 1 player in Utah, and the Utes have had regular success luring the state’s top prospects — that is, until Brigham Young swooped in and signed the top player in 2024. So Kyle Whittingham and Co. would like Dunn to restart their momentum.
WashingtonTarget: LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Spanaway (Wash.)/BethelComment: Rainey-Sale was a Husky commit for all of four days. He pledged to UW on the afternoon of the national championship game, then de-committed at the end of the week when Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama. But the No. 1 recruit in the Evergreen State is still a major priority for the Huskies.
Washington StateTarget: TE Kellan Ford, Danville (Calif.)/Monte VistaComment: Ford has ties to WSU through his father, Evan, who played for the Cougars. He also has ties to Washington, through his mom, and UCLA, through his sister. But Washington State was the school he watched growing up with his dad.
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