Pac-12 football recruiting: Top 15 commitments in 2022 recruiting class; Josh Conerly Jr. to Oregon

The commitment of Rainier Beach consensus five-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. to the Oregon Ducks should finally put a bow on the 2022 recruiting cycle in the Pac-12 Conference.

So, it's time to take a look at the top 15 commitments in the class.

Dan Lanning came to the Ducks late, but managed to hang on to a few of their key pledges and add both a dynamic running back and the headliner of his class in April with Conerly.

Oregon led the way with six of the conference’s top-15 signees.

Despite finishing with just eight members of the class, Lincoln Riley's USC program landed four of the conference's top seven prospects — three hailing from national powerhouse Mater Dei High School.

Stanford secured two signees on the list, while Arizona, Utah and UCLA each boast one apiece.

Here's a look at the top 15 pledges in the conference* (*using 247Sports composite rankings): 

1. 5-star cornerback Domani Jackson (Mater Dei; Santa Ana, California) — USC Trojans

The top-rated pledge in the Pac-12 Conference is Mater Dei High School cornerback Domani Jackson, the No. 5 player in the country in the 247Sports composite rankings.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back committed to USC early in the process, then re-opened his recruitment in November to consider programs such as Alabama and Michigan.

In a major victory for Lincoln Riley, Jackson re-committed to the Trojans in mid-December.

---

2. 5-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (Rainier Beach; Seattle, Washington) — Oregon Ducks

The newest (and last?) addition the list, five-star prospect Josh Conerly, the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle, waited until April to make his decision.

Very early in his recruitment it seemed Washington may have the inside track, but that lead shifted to Michigan as the process rolled along.

Eventually, it looked like USC was set to reel in the five-star talent.

But a late visit to Oregon proved to be the difference, as Conerly shocked the college football world with a commitment to the Ducks.

Conerly is the highest-rated offensive line pledge in program history, eclipsing Penei Sewell (2018) and Kingsley Suamataia (2021), who transferred to BYU this offseason.

Overall, he is the eighth highest-rated commit all-time, behind Kayvon Thibodeaux, Justin Flowe, Haloti Ngata, Jonathan Stewart, Noah Sewell, Cameron Colvin and De’Anthony Thomas.

---

3. 4-star running back Raleek Brown (Mater Dei; Santa Ana, California)—USC Trojans

Mater Dei running back Raleek Brown is unquestionably the top ball-carrier in the West region, so when he initially committed to Riley at Oklahoma it was a blow to USC and the entire Pac-12 Conference.

However, Brown decommitted and eventually re-joined Riley - this time at USC - giving the Trojans a dynamic playmaker in the backfield to add to their long tradition of elite running backs.

Brown is rated the nation’s No. 3 running back and No. 42 overall prospect.

---

4. 4-star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (Servite; Anaheim, California) — Arizona Wildcats

Servite two-way standout Tetairoa McMillan has a dominate force at wide receiver and defensive back last fall, but is also a stellar volleyball player.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound pass-catcher, rated the nation’s No. 4 wide receiver, initially committed to Oregon, but flipped to Arizona in December.

McMillan is the highest-rated signee in the football program’s history, and joins a collection of talented Servite teammates in Arizona’s class — tight end Keyan Burnett, quarterback Noah Fifita and linebacker Jacob Manu.

Overall, the Wildcats were the Pac-12’s biggest welcomed surprise during the 2022 recruiting cycle, finishing with the conference’s No. 2 class (No. 21 nationally).

5. 4-star safety Zion Branch (Bishop Gorman; Las Vegas, Nevada) — USC Trojans

USC scored four of the Pac-12’s top five commitments, rounding out its haul with Zion Branch, the nation’s No. 6 safety.

Branch tallied more than 40 scholarship offers, highlighted by Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Texas and Texas A&M.

---

6. 4-star edge-rusher David Bailey (Mater Dei; Santa Ana, California) — Stanford Cardinal

USC cleaned up with Mater Dei football prospects in the 2022 recruiting cycle, so it made sense that many thought David Bailey would join that nucleus in Los Angeles.

But Stanford secured a major recruiting victory when Bailey elected to commit to Stanford over the Trojans and others.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound versatile defender is rated as highly as the nation’s No. 3 edge-rusher.

---

7. 4-star wide receiver C.J. Williams (Mater Dei; Santa Ana, California) — USC Trojans

A former Notre Dame pledge, Mater Dei wide receiver C.J. Williams not-so-secretly signed with USC during the early signing period, then announced his commitment at the nationally-televised All-American Bowl.

The dynamic pass-catcher is rated the nation’s No. 73 overall prospect and the No. 10 wide receiver in the 247Sports composite rankings.

---

8. 4-star linebacker Lander Barton (Brighton; Salt Lake City, Utah) — Utah Utes

Utah’s defense was nightmare fuel for much of the Pac-12 Conference last fall.

Whether it was the Utes’ stunning season or an in-state advantage, Kyle Whittingham’s program managed to keep Salt Lake City linebacker Lander Barton in his home state.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound ‘backer, out of Brighton High School, is rated the nation’s No. 4 linebacker and held offers from LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Stanford, Texas and USC.

---

9. 4-star linebacker Devon Jackson (Burke; Omaha, Nebraska) — Oregon Ducks

Oregon’s recruiting class, once a top-10 group nationally, dropped well outside the top 50 in the wake of Mario Cristobal’s departure to Miami (Fla.).

Nearly every one of the Ducks’ committed bluechip prospect re-opened their recruitments — and several were gone for good.

But All-American Bowl linebacker Devon Jackson never wavered.

Proclaiming that he committed to the school more than the coaching staff, Jackson re-affirmed his recruitment immediately upon hearing the news of Cristobal’s departure and became a fan favorite overnight.

---

10. 4-star cornerback Jalil Tucker (Lincoln; San Diego, California) — Oregon Ducks

Lincoln cornerback duo Jalil Tucker and Jahlil Florence were arguably the nation’s top high school cornerback tandem last fall.

Oregon seemed to lead for the Jalil/Jahlil’s all along, and both committed to the Ducks initially in August.

Tucker stuck by his commitment throughout and signed with Oregon during the early signing period, a major development for a program that was (initially) reeling with Cristobal’s December departure.

Tucker is rated the nation’s No. 9 cornerback by 247Sports.

---

11. 4-star defensive lineman Ernest Cooper IV (Martin; Arlington, Texas) — Stanford Cardinal

Defensive linemen are hard to find the West region, making Ernest Cooper IV an even more valuable addition for Stanford than he already would be in most conferences.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound defensive end, out of Arlington, Texas, is rated the nation’s No. 22 defensive lineman and committed to Stanford over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas and USC.

---

12. 4-star cornerback Jahlil Florence (Lincoln; San Diego, California) — Oregon Ducks

The first major (re-)addition of Oregon’s Dan Lanning era, Jahlil Florence committed to Oregon in August, but re-opened his recruitment following Cristobal’s departure.

His second recruitment became a major battle between Oregon and USC with the Ducks winning out in the end.

Florence, the nation’s No. 11 cornerback, has incredibly high upside given his raw speed and 6-foot-1-plus, 180-pound frame.

There’s a pathway to becoming a Day 1 or 2 NFL Draft pick as he refines his technique, and he has drawn comparisons to Stephon Gilmore by 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins.

---

13. 4-star safety Kamari Ramsey (Sierra Canyon; Chatsworth, California) — UCLA Bruins

Sierra Canyon defensive back Kamari Ramsey is rated the nation’s No. 13 safety.

The 6-foot, 200-pound prospect, who is the gem of Chip Kelly’s class, committed to the Bruins over Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Texas and others.

---

14. 4-star offensive lineman Dave Iuli (Puyallup; Puyallup, Washington) — Oregon Ducks

Two-way lineman Dave Iuli had a whirlwind recruitment.

After initially committing to Washington, the nation’s No. 10 interior lineman flipped to Oregon following Washington’s surprise loss to Montana in September.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman re-opened his recruitment following Cristobal’s departure, then silently committed to the Hurricanes.

Despite quietly indicating he was unlikely to visit Eugene again, Iuli elected to take a last-minute trip to Oregon and re-committed to the Ducks.

---

15. 4-star running back Jordan James (Oakland; Murfreesboro, Tennessee) — Oregon Ducks

Four-star running back Jordan James committed to Georgia in March and stuck with his commitment until the first day of the early signing period.

By then, James had taken an official visit to Oregon and scheduled (but didn’t take) a visit to Florida.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound back signed with the Ducks over Florida and Georgia.

James is rated the nation’s No. 13 running back.