OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
The Beavers extended out 20 offers to players listed as OLB in the database. While most of the bigger names have committed elsewhere or are looking at national powerhouse programs, there are some very good athletes that the OSU staff are very actively recruiting. Look for the Beavs to take 1-2 LBs this cycle.
TARGETS
Pookie Maka (3* #36 OLB #4 in UT)
6-3 200 lbs.
Cottonwood Senior HS Murray, UT
Maka’s recruitment appears to have slowed down a bit as he awaits word on whether or not he will be able to play this fall following a transfer from Woods Cross HS to perennial powerhouse Cottonwood Senior HS. Maka visited Colorado earlier this spring, along with teammates SDE Fua Pututau and 2017 WR Taniela Pututau. The Buffaloes have moved into an early lead for Maka, but he plans on taking visits before making a decision. Also, as a member of the LDS faith, Pookie has been back and forth on whether or not he plans on taking a mission after he graduates. With a dozen offers on the table (ASU, BYU, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, OSU, Utah, Utah St., UW, WSU, Wisconsin, & Wyoming), Maka has not seen a whole lot of interest recently, expect teams to get involved once again if he is cleared to play. Could be a package deal with Fua Pututau.
McKinley “Kiwi” Mitchell (3* #43 OLB 5.6 RR)
6-3 200 lbs.
Oviedo HS Oviedo, FL
Arguably one of the biggest sleeper athletes in the nation this cycle is Mitchell. He was heralded early on in his high school career as a blooming star, but a knee injury derailed much of his early momentum. He returned last year to a moderately successful junior year but missed out on much of the camp circuit. This summer he made the jump from Plano, Texas to Oviedo HS just outside Orlando, Florida. Being the little brother to former 5* Mike Mitchell (Texas Tech via Ohio St.) and former 4* hoopster Mickey Mitchell (Ohio St.), he has the bloodlines to be a big time prospect. Should he have a big senior year playing against the speed of Florida football, many new programs could emerge in his recruitment. Currently, Kiwi has offers from ASU, Baylor, Navy, OSU, Southern Methodist, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. OSU is looking good to receive an OV this fall. With a big senior year, he could see his rating take a big jump as he will have played HS football in 2 of 3 major talent producing states in the nation (TX & FL), standing out in both states.
Troy Cassidy (3* 5.5 Rivals Rating)
6-3 215 lbs.
Carlsbad HS Carlsbad, CA
Cassidy claims 12 offers, mostly from Pac-12 schools (Arizona, Colorado, OSU, Utah, Washington, WSU, Navy, Nevada, Boise St., San Diego St., Utah St., UNLV). A couple of schools are showing interest including Oregon, Stanford and the LA schools, it’s believed that if any of them were to offer, they could be tough to beat for Cassidy.
Dru Mathis (3* 5.5 Rivals Rating)
6-3 215 lbs.
Buena HS Ventura, CA
Mathis has 11 offers on the table, but only two are from BCS level teams, the Beavers and the Commodores of Vanderbilt. Other BCS teams are in contact with Mathis including Cal, Washington and Wazzu. Outside of the before mentioned programs, Air Force, Colorado St., Fresno St., Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego St., San Jose St., UNLV and Wyoming had all offered Mathis a scholarship. Dru is in the process of setting up OVs to Nevada and Wymoing, and would like to use his remaining OVs for schools that are not easily accessible for him like OSU and Vanderbilt. The 3* OLB has not set a timetable for a decision but rather will make a decision after taking as many visits as possible until he finds the right fit in a program. His brother plays for SDSU.
Alema Pilimai (3* 5.5 Rivals Rating0
6-4 205 lbs.
Tustin HS Tustin, CA
Pilimai just yesterday spoke with Adam Gorney about his recruitment. He plans on setting up OVs to Utah, BYU and Oregon State for this season with the possibility of Wazzu and Utah State also receiving OVs. But as of right now, OSU, Utah and BYU are sticking out the most. Coach Sitaki and Coach Kauha’aha’a have been spearheading Pilimai’s recruitment for the Beavers, establishing the Beavs as one of the frontrunners for his signatures. The Beavs were Alema’s 1st offer, although he was originally offered as a QB, the staff has changed their tune since picking up a commitment from Mason Moran in July and now like him as an OLB.
UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS
Caleb Kelly (5* #5 OLB #19 OVR #2 in CA)
6-3 214 lbs.
Clovis West HS Fresno, CA
Kelly has one of the most impressive offer lists on the west coast, claiming nearly 30 offers. The 5* OLB from Fresno has a top-7 of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio St., Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford and Southern Cal. OVs have been set up to see the Wolverines, Golden Domers, Sooners and the Texas Longhorns with a 5th OV up in the air. Kelly seems to be leaning towards taking unofficial visits to see the more local, west coast schools. He plans on being a signing day decision.
Rahshaun Smith (5* #4 OLB #18 OVR #5 in FL)
6-2 226 lbs.
IMG Academy Bradenton, FL
Smith was a former Clemson commit but earlier this month decided to open things back up. Clemson is still in the running for the 5* but LSU, Maryland, Auburn, Florida, Florida St., Miami and Georgia have all been linked to Smith recently. He currently has OVs lined up to Miami, Georgia, LSU and Clemson.
Shemar Smith (2* 5.4 Rivals Rating)
6-2 200 lbs.
Jackson HS Miami, FL
The Beavs were Smith’s 2nd offer and as of late July were still pursuing him fairly aggressively behind the efforts of Telly Lockette. But as the offers have piled up, he now claims 18 offers, one school has separated themselves from all the rest, the Texas Longhorns. Charlie Strong and the tradition that surrounds the Longhorns’ program have been the difference in Smith’s recruitment. Shemar has set up an OV to Austin for Texas’ tilt with Oklahoma State and it is expected if things go well, that he will commit on that visit. Oregon State, Kentucky, Indiana, Pitt and South Florida are still under consideration in addition the Longhorns but it seems to be a matter of time before he will be a future Longhorn.
COMMITTED ELSEWHERE
Mique Juarez (5* #1 OLB #8 OVR #1 in CA)
Committed to Southern Cal 6-2 215 lbs.
North HS Torrance, CA
Erick Fowler (4* #10 OLB #62 OVR #9 in TX)
Committed to LSU 6-3 235 lbs.
Manor HS Manor, TX
Camilo Eifler (4* #13 OLB #140 OVR #29 in CA)
Committed to Washington 6-2 210 lbs.
Bishop O’Dowd HS Oakland, CA
Bryce Youngquist (4* #14 OLB #152 OVR #32 in CA)
Committed to Oklahoma 6-2 210 lbs.
Los Osos HS Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Darrian Franklin (4* #18 OLB #207 OVR #36 in CA)
Committed to Oregon 6-1 215 lbs.
Downey HS Downey, CA
William Johnson (3* #34 JUCO OVR 5.7 RR)
Committed to Nebraska 6-3 225 lbs.
Arizona Western C.C. Yuma, AZ
David Luafatasaga (3* #32 JUCO OVR 5.7 RR)
Committed to Ole Miss 6-4 225 lbs.
Arizona Western C.C. Yuma, AZ
Dominique Ross (3* #47 OLB #74 in FL)
Committed to North Carolina 6-3 198 lbs.
Trinity Christian HS Jacksonville, FL
Vosean Joseph (3* #49 OLB #77 in FL)
Committed to Florida 6-2 210 lbs.
Miami Norland HS Miami, FL
JoJo Domann (3* #58 OLB #2 in CO)
Committed to Nebraska 6-1 208 lbs.
Pine Creek HS Colorado Springs, CO
Jordan Iosefa (3* 5.6 Rivals Rating)
Committed to Southern Cal 6-2 225 lbs.
St. Louis HS Honolulu, HI
The Beavers extended out 20 offers to players listed as OLB in the database. While most of the bigger names have committed elsewhere or are looking at national powerhouse programs, there are some very good athletes that the OSU staff are very actively recruiting. Look for the Beavs to take 1-2 LBs this cycle.
TARGETS
Pookie Maka (3* #36 OLB #4 in UT)
6-3 200 lbs.
Cottonwood Senior HS Murray, UT
Maka’s recruitment appears to have slowed down a bit as he awaits word on whether or not he will be able to play this fall following a transfer from Woods Cross HS to perennial powerhouse Cottonwood Senior HS. Maka visited Colorado earlier this spring, along with teammates SDE Fua Pututau and 2017 WR Taniela Pututau. The Buffaloes have moved into an early lead for Maka, but he plans on taking visits before making a decision. Also, as a member of the LDS faith, Pookie has been back and forth on whether or not he plans on taking a mission after he graduates. With a dozen offers on the table (ASU, BYU, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, OSU, Utah, Utah St., UW, WSU, Wisconsin, & Wyoming), Maka has not seen a whole lot of interest recently, expect teams to get involved once again if he is cleared to play. Could be a package deal with Fua Pututau.
McKinley “Kiwi” Mitchell (3* #43 OLB 5.6 RR)
6-3 200 lbs.
Oviedo HS Oviedo, FL
Arguably one of the biggest sleeper athletes in the nation this cycle is Mitchell. He was heralded early on in his high school career as a blooming star, but a knee injury derailed much of his early momentum. He returned last year to a moderately successful junior year but missed out on much of the camp circuit. This summer he made the jump from Plano, Texas to Oviedo HS just outside Orlando, Florida. Being the little brother to former 5* Mike Mitchell (Texas Tech via Ohio St.) and former 4* hoopster Mickey Mitchell (Ohio St.), he has the bloodlines to be a big time prospect. Should he have a big senior year playing against the speed of Florida football, many new programs could emerge in his recruitment. Currently, Kiwi has offers from ASU, Baylor, Navy, OSU, Southern Methodist, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. OSU is looking good to receive an OV this fall. With a big senior year, he could see his rating take a big jump as he will have played HS football in 2 of 3 major talent producing states in the nation (TX & FL), standing out in both states.
Troy Cassidy (3* 5.5 Rivals Rating)
6-3 215 lbs.
Carlsbad HS Carlsbad, CA
Cassidy claims 12 offers, mostly from Pac-12 schools (Arizona, Colorado, OSU, Utah, Washington, WSU, Navy, Nevada, Boise St., San Diego St., Utah St., UNLV). A couple of schools are showing interest including Oregon, Stanford and the LA schools, it’s believed that if any of them were to offer, they could be tough to beat for Cassidy.
Dru Mathis (3* 5.5 Rivals Rating)
6-3 215 lbs.
Buena HS Ventura, CA
Mathis has 11 offers on the table, but only two are from BCS level teams, the Beavers and the Commodores of Vanderbilt. Other BCS teams are in contact with Mathis including Cal, Washington and Wazzu. Outside of the before mentioned programs, Air Force, Colorado St., Fresno St., Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego St., San Jose St., UNLV and Wyoming had all offered Mathis a scholarship. Dru is in the process of setting up OVs to Nevada and Wymoing, and would like to use his remaining OVs for schools that are not easily accessible for him like OSU and Vanderbilt. The 3* OLB has not set a timetable for a decision but rather will make a decision after taking as many visits as possible until he finds the right fit in a program. His brother plays for SDSU.
Alema Pilimai (3* 5.5 Rivals Rating0
6-4 205 lbs.
Tustin HS Tustin, CA
Pilimai just yesterday spoke with Adam Gorney about his recruitment. He plans on setting up OVs to Utah, BYU and Oregon State for this season with the possibility of Wazzu and Utah State also receiving OVs. But as of right now, OSU, Utah and BYU are sticking out the most. Coach Sitaki and Coach Kauha’aha’a have been spearheading Pilimai’s recruitment for the Beavers, establishing the Beavs as one of the frontrunners for his signatures. The Beavs were Alema’s 1st offer, although he was originally offered as a QB, the staff has changed their tune since picking up a commitment from Mason Moran in July and now like him as an OLB.
UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS
Caleb Kelly (5* #5 OLB #19 OVR #2 in CA)
6-3 214 lbs.
Clovis West HS Fresno, CA
Kelly has one of the most impressive offer lists on the west coast, claiming nearly 30 offers. The 5* OLB from Fresno has a top-7 of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio St., Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford and Southern Cal. OVs have been set up to see the Wolverines, Golden Domers, Sooners and the Texas Longhorns with a 5th OV up in the air. Kelly seems to be leaning towards taking unofficial visits to see the more local, west coast schools. He plans on being a signing day decision.
Rahshaun Smith (5* #4 OLB #18 OVR #5 in FL)
6-2 226 lbs.
IMG Academy Bradenton, FL
Smith was a former Clemson commit but earlier this month decided to open things back up. Clemson is still in the running for the 5* but LSU, Maryland, Auburn, Florida, Florida St., Miami and Georgia have all been linked to Smith recently. He currently has OVs lined up to Miami, Georgia, LSU and Clemson.
Shemar Smith (2* 5.4 Rivals Rating)
6-2 200 lbs.
Jackson HS Miami, FL
The Beavs were Smith’s 2nd offer and as of late July were still pursuing him fairly aggressively behind the efforts of Telly Lockette. But as the offers have piled up, he now claims 18 offers, one school has separated themselves from all the rest, the Texas Longhorns. Charlie Strong and the tradition that surrounds the Longhorns’ program have been the difference in Smith’s recruitment. Shemar has set up an OV to Austin for Texas’ tilt with Oklahoma State and it is expected if things go well, that he will commit on that visit. Oregon State, Kentucky, Indiana, Pitt and South Florida are still under consideration in addition the Longhorns but it seems to be a matter of time before he will be a future Longhorn.
COMMITTED ELSEWHERE
Mique Juarez (5* #1 OLB #8 OVR #1 in CA)
Committed to Southern Cal 6-2 215 lbs.
North HS Torrance, CA
Erick Fowler (4* #10 OLB #62 OVR #9 in TX)
Committed to LSU 6-3 235 lbs.
Manor HS Manor, TX
Camilo Eifler (4* #13 OLB #140 OVR #29 in CA)
Committed to Washington 6-2 210 lbs.
Bishop O’Dowd HS Oakland, CA
Bryce Youngquist (4* #14 OLB #152 OVR #32 in CA)
Committed to Oklahoma 6-2 210 lbs.
Los Osos HS Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Darrian Franklin (4* #18 OLB #207 OVR #36 in CA)
Committed to Oregon 6-1 215 lbs.
Downey HS Downey, CA
William Johnson (3* #34 JUCO OVR 5.7 RR)
Committed to Nebraska 6-3 225 lbs.
Arizona Western C.C. Yuma, AZ
David Luafatasaga (3* #32 JUCO OVR 5.7 RR)
Committed to Ole Miss 6-4 225 lbs.
Arizona Western C.C. Yuma, AZ
Dominique Ross (3* #47 OLB #74 in FL)
Committed to North Carolina 6-3 198 lbs.
Trinity Christian HS Jacksonville, FL
Vosean Joseph (3* #49 OLB #77 in FL)
Committed to Florida 6-2 210 lbs.
Miami Norland HS Miami, FL
JoJo Domann (3* #58 OLB #2 in CO)
Committed to Nebraska 6-1 208 lbs.
Pine Creek HS Colorado Springs, CO
Jordan Iosefa (3* 5.6 Rivals Rating)
Committed to Southern Cal 6-2 225 lbs.
St. Louis HS Honolulu, HI
