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Top commits Pac-12 programs hope to hang onto

Each Pac-12 team has a recruit that they really need to hang onto down the stretch.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

January and February are tense times for recruiting fans. Commit lists have seemed to turn into the target lists of opposing programs in recent seasons and fans have pretty much come to assume that their team will lose a few of the commits that they have in the fold at the start of January.

With that in mind, here are the top recruits that Pac-12 schools are trying to hang onto down the home stretch of 2015 recruiting.

Arizona - Keenan Walker T Scottsdale, AZ (Chaparral)

Walker is one of the most highly-rated offensive line prospects to ever commit to Arizona as he is regarded by some as the top offensive line prospect in the West in the Class of 2015. A 6'5 285 prospect, Walker has excellent size and the athleticism and polish to excel in Rich Rodriguez' offense. He received some elite offers from programs like Texas and USC and those programs might still be recruiting him down the stretch, but there has been nothing to suggest that he will waver from his commitment to Arizona before signing day.

Arizona State - Brady White QB Newhall, CA (Hart)

One of the top QB prospects out West committed to the Sun Devils early and looks locked and loaded to Tempe. He isn't the biggest prospect at 6'2 180, but he is a pure passer with a lot of polish that can destroy teams from the pocket.

Cal - Devante Wilson DE Riverside, CA (Riverside College)

The 6'5 245 Wilson could help improve Cal's defensive front immediately with his size, athleticism and strength that make him one of the top JC recruits in the nation this year. They had to pry him away from the Washington schools, but he is now ready to be a Bear and make a speedy impact.

Colorado - Tim Lynott G Aurora, CO (Regis Jesuit)

The Buffs have struggled to keep top in-state talent home in recent years, so getting a commitment from one of the nation's top guard prospects who just happens to be from Colorado was huge for Mike MacIntyre and staff. Colorado beat out programs like Miami and UCLA for his commitment and they may have to fight to hang onto it, but all signs point to them being able to do that.

Oregon - Taj Griffin RB Powder Springs, CA - McEachern

The Ducks have an ultra-talented backfield coming back in 2015, but they don't have a LaMichael James/De'Anthony Thomas type that can break a 75-yard run off a little seam. Griffin could be that guy for the Ducks. He signed a financial aid agreement in September, so the Ducks don't have to worry about losing his services down the stretch.

Oregon State - James Pensyl QB Land O' Lakes, FL

A 6'6 210-pound prospect with a rocket for an arm, Pensyl committed to the Beavers early on and looks like he could be the next Derek Anderson. He was reportedly shocked by the news of Mike Riley leaving but I have not heard if he has opened up his recruiting yet. Don't be surprised though if schools that still want a quarterback in this class make a late run on him hoping they can capitalize on Riley's exit.

Stanford - Cameron Scarlett RB Portland, OR (Central Catholic)

The top prospect from the state of Oregon this year is the 6'1 210 Scarlett, a big back with major power that could be perfect in Stanford's scheme. The Cardinal fought off Notre Dame, UCLA and Washington for his commitment and those schools still might try to make a run at him in the waning months of recruiting, but expect the Cardinal to hold onto his pledge.

UCLA - Josh Rosen QB Bellflower, CA (St. John Bosco)

Rated by Scout.com as the nation's top quarterback prospect, Rosen is the complete package at quarterback and has excelled as the point man for the powerhouse St. John Bosco program. He has already signed a financial aid agreement so Rosen is locked in as a Bruin and will get a shot at replacing Brett Hundley as a true freshman.

USC - Ricky Town QB Ventura, CA (St. Bonaventure)

Town is up there with Rosen as one of the top QB prospects in the nation and the 6'3 205 prospect jumped on board with the Trojans very early. Looking like a typical USC quarterback, Town can already do just about anything you want from a QB in the passing game and he has a shot at eventually becoming the successor to Cody Kessler.

Utah - Cory Butler WR Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles Harbor College)

The Utes will need some magic to replaces Dres Anderson and Kaelin Clay and the explosive Butler might just be the guy to do it. The 5'10 175 receiver can make an immediate impact as a big play threat on offense and as a return man. The Utes pulled him away from an earlier commitment to Kansas and he looks ready to become a Ute.

Washington - Jake Browning QB Folsom, CA

Chris Petersen may have found his Kellen Moore at Washington in the 6'2 200 passing machine that torched California and national passing records while leading his high school team to massive success. Browning has already signed a financial aid agreement, so he is sealed to be a Husky and some Husky fans are already claiming that he has a great shot at becoming their starter as a true freshman.

Washington State - Kyahva Tezino LB Los Angeles, CA - Salesian

Tezino is a smaller linebacker at 6'1 200 that brings a unique combo of speed and aggression to the linebacker position that makes him one of the top linebacker recruits out West in the Class of 2015. Tezino recently committed to the Cougars after many thought that he was destined to sign with Arizona, who signed a number of his teammates in this class and the Wildcats may provide some further competition down the stretch if they continue to try and get him in the boat to Tucson.