Brandon Baker, Aydin Breland among nation’s most coveted prospects: Top 5 uncommitted players in West

It’s nearly the beginning of August, but many of the nation’s top 2024 football prospects are already off the board.

Generally speaking, California is the flagship state for high school football talent in the West region, and 15 of the state’s top 20 prospects are already off the board.

Still, there are a few big names out there for the taking.

Here’s a look at the top five - well, six - uncommitted players in the West, as well as a look at where they might be headed.

5-star defensive lineman Aydin Breland (Mater Dei; California) — Rated the nation’s No. 6 overall prospect and No. 2 defensive lineman, Aydin Breland might be one of the nation’s most difficult players to predict.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound defender has taken official visits to Georgia, Miami, Oregon and Texas A&M, but also had LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee and USC in his top 10.

Breland’s top four may be the four schools he visited officially in June, but his recruitment still feels nearly impossible to predict at the moment.

He has yet to set a decision date.

Oregon has gone all-out in the hopes of landing the top two players on this list, but again, several schools would love to disrupt that plan. 

5-star offensive tackle Brandon Baker (Mater Dei; California) — The nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle has traveled all over the country looking at his options - Florida State, Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas.

For quite some time Oregon has been the presumed favorite, and the Ducks still appear to be in a good spot.

But with several big-time programs lurking, Dan Lanning is unlikely to breathe a sigh of relief until Baker is officially signed, sealed and delivered.

The battle for his services is likely to remain fierce to the end. 

4-star interior offensive lineman DeAndre Carter (Mater Dei; California) — Anybody else sensing a trend here?

Mater Dei is the favorite to win the high school football national championship this fall, and for good reason.

The roster is absolutely loaded from top to bottom with elite talent.

DeAndre Carter is rated the nation’s No. 1 interior offensive lineman and holds nearly 30 scholarship offers from many of the country's top programs. 

The 6-foot-4, 340-pound lineman may be nearing a decision - with Auburn emerging as the clear-cut team to beat.

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4-star wide receiver Gatlin Bair (Burley; Idaho) — Elite track speedster Gatlin Bair is experiencing a unique recruitment.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound pass-catcher is one of the nation’s fastest athletes, but has no intention of competing in track and field at the college level.

He does, however, plan to graduate early and begin a two-year LDS mission in January prior to arriving at his school of choice.

Bair is set to announce his commitment Saturday and has a top five of Boise State, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon and TCU.

While most folks in the industry expect Bair to choose Michigan, Boise State got a final visit and is a much more significant threat than they are getting credit for at the moment.

Oregon, once thought to be a major contender, loses ground without the track component.

Even with just days remaining until his decision, Bair’s recruitment is intriguing to follow.

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4-star linebacker Brayden Platt (Yelm; Washington) — It’s Oregon or Oklahoma for Brayden Platt, an All-American linebacker and one of the nation’s best throwers in track and field.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound ‘backer will announce his decision on September 4, and the race is admittedly close.

Both the Ducks and Sooners have been at the forefront of his recruitment for months, but Oregon may have the slight edge.

Platt has a strong relationship with Dan Lanning, and Oregon has an elite track program.

It could come down to the wire, but the Ducks likely feel as though they’ve got a great chance to keep Platt in the Northwest.

Bonus: 5-star RB Nathaniel Frazier (Mater Dei; California) — Rated the nation’s No. 1 running back, Nathaniel Frazier undeniably belongs on this list.

But the 5-foot-11, 206-pound ball-carrier is set to announce his college commitment Sunday and he is widely considered an absolute lock to choose the Georgia Bulldogs.

Given that this list is about the top five uncommitted players, it’s hard to discuss his recruitment without including that the expectation is he’s a Bulldog by week’s end. 

A look at the West's top uncommitted recruits