Cal, USC among six Pac-12 schools in top eight for 4-star DE

The Pac-12 likely got a big boost when Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge announced his top eight schools for his services. In his top eight, six Pac-12 schools were represented with them being, in no particular order, Cal, USC, Washington State, Washington, Arizona State and Colorado.

Miami (Fl.) and Oklahoma rounded out his top eight.

Rawlins-Kibonge hails from Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon, representing the nation’s 11th-best strongside defensive end and the No. 2 player in the state of Oregon.

At 6’7, 240 pounds, he’s a large get, physically and on the roster as he’s a composite four-star recruit and the 160th-best player in the country according to 247Sports.

He has at least 14 offers and though the predictions are considered to be a lock for Arizona State, the narrowing of the list to six Pac-12 schools furthers the belief that he’ll stay out west.

He compares to William Gholston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 247Sports National Recruiting Editor Brandon Huffman had this to say on Rawlins-Kibonge:

A two-sport star, Rawlins-Kibonge played his first year of football as a junior. An elite high-major basketball player (a commit to the Pac-12), Rawlins-Kibonge gave football a try for the first time and immediately took to it. Explosive off the edge, with quickness to the quarterback, speed to get in to the backfield and in backside pursuit. Raw in technique, still needs to develop an arsenal of moves since he’s inexperienced. Has a long frame and elite athleticism. Projects as multi-year Power 5 starter and projects as late second day or early third day pick

It’s unknown where he’ll decide at this point, but if social media is any indicator, he recently interacted a bunch with the USC accounts, but also just recently went on a visit to Oklahoma, so all news is to be taken with a grain of salt.

Go ahead and stay out West, where it’s best, Nathan! We’ll continue to treat you right.