A look at 5 crucial West Coast football recruitments, including Matayo Uiagalelei, Jayden Wayne and Riley Williams

The West Coast is loaded with talented prospects in the 2023 recruiting cycle, particularly at the quarterback position, where the state of California boasts three of the nation’s top five signal-callers.

It’s early, but the major recruiting battles are taking shape and some have already been determined.

USC has gotten off to a blazing-hot start by securing both five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson (Los Alamitos, California) and five-star athlete Makai Lemon (Los Alamitos, California).

In truth, that duo is unlikely to be topped by any Pac-12 Conference program during the 2023 recruiting cycle.

Nelson is the No. 2 overall prospect in the country, while Lemon is the nation’s No. 1 athlete, giving USC a pair of top-16 national commitments from the in-state talent pool for the first time since 2018 (J.T. Daniels, Amon-Ra St. Brown).

To put that into further perspective, outside of USC the entire Pac-12 Conference combined signed just one composite five-star prospect during the 2020 and 2021 recruiting cycles, Washington quarterback (and family legacy) Sam Huard.

Amid rumblings of an eight million dollar exclusive NIL deal, five-star quarterback Nicolaus “Nico” Iamaleava committed to Tennessee, giving the Volunteers their third highest-rated pledge in modern program history, behind only running back Bryce Brown (No. 2 in 2009) and safety Eric Berry (No. 3 in 2007).

Those three recruiting battles will go a long way in determining how programs and their fanbases feel about their respective recruiting hauls in December and February.

Here’s a look at five uncommitted prospects whose recruitments will also be crucial in defining recruiting success for the programs involved:

5-star defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei (Bellflower, California) — Once considered “D.J. Uiagalelei’s not-so-little brother,” Matayo Uiagalelei has worked tirelessly to carve his own path.

And what a path it is.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive lineman, out of St, John Bosco (Bellflower, California), is rated the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 edge-rusher, but would also be in the discussion as the nation’s top tight end if he chose to go that route.

Uiagalalei has generated offers from some of the nation’s top programs, highlighted by Alabama, Clemson, Miami (Fla.), Ohio State, Oregon, USC and others.

It’s still way too early to make a prediction on a potential landing spot, but Uiagalelei has visited Oregon and USC several times, Alabama and Miami (Fla.) are tantalizing options and his older brother, D.J., is the starting quarterback at Clemson.

Given Uiagalelei’s rare blend of size, athleticism and work ethic, he is sure to be one of the most coveted prospects in the entire country regardless of position.

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5-star quarterback Jaden Rashada (Pittsburgh, California) — Rated the nation’s No. 5 quarterback, Rashada is arguably the top uncommitted offensive prize West of the Mississippi River.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound signal-caller recently visited Miami (Fla.) and will take a trip to Oregon for the spring game later this month.

Ole Miss is another program that shouldn’t be counted out.

Others may still get involved, but those three programs appear to be the early contenders.

Whoever gets the California gunslinger will get getting a major talent who could blossom into a future NFL star.

Rashada projects as a college football program cornerstone recruit.  

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5-star defensive end Jayden Wayne (Tacoma, Washington) — Billed as the next defensive superstar out of Washington since he was an eighth grader, Lincoln High School’s Jayden Wayne has emerged as the nation’s No. 4 defensive lineman.

That ranking alone is enough to generate dozens of offers, but given the West Coast’s general lack of big-time D-line talent, he’s an even greater prize.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound defensive end, out of Tacoma, Washington, already holds more than 40 scholarship offers, highlighted by Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, USC, Washington and others.

Miami coach Mario Cristobal first made headway with Wayne while he was in Eugene, so the Hurricanes are definitely in the mix, but so too are Alabama, Oregon, USC and others.

Wayne has superstar potential.

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4-star wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (Los Alamitos, California) — After committing to Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, then re-affirming his commitment when Riley departed for USC, Moore eventually did re-open his recruitment.

The nation’s No. 5 wide receiver took his first visit to USC with Riley as the head coach over the weekend and the Trojans are likely the team to beat.

Given his connection to Nelson and Lemon, the Los Alamitos trio may be a safe bet to stay together in college, forming an elite recruiting nucleus for USC to begin its 2023 cycle.

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4-star tight end Riley Williams (Portland, Oregon) — The state of Oregon doesn’t have a tremendous number of bluechip talents in the 2023 recruiting cycle, but Central Catholic tight end Riley Williams breaks the mold.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound pass-catcher, out of Portland, is rated the nation’s No. 74 overall prospect and No. 4 tight end on 247Sports, but has climbed as high as the nation’s No. 2 on On3Sports.

Williams has a chance to become the most heavily-offered prospect in modern Oregon history, as he’s already topped the 20-offer barrier, highlighted by Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and others.

To call Williams a massive priority for the in-state Ducks would be an understatement.

Williams’ older brother, Korbin Williams, is a walk-on wide receiver in Eugene, and two of Williams’ uncles played for Oregon in past eras.

Still, the Central Catholic star insists he will find the right fit through his own personal recruiting experience.

Williams has expressed significant interest in Ohio State and USC in the past, but it’s early and several programs, including Alabama, are likely to make a serious push before he decides.