Joe Mathis Recruiting: UCLA & Washington Favorites, USC, Alabama, Texas A&M In Mix

Both the UCLA Bruins and Washington Huskies have decent odds at landing Joe Mathis, but the USC Trojans, Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas A&M Aggies all have a chance here too. Mathis listed his top five this weekend and they included all five of these schools.

4-star DE Joe Mathis (Upland, CA) told me he will make his decision January 5. Finalists: Texas A+M, Alabama, UCLA, USC, and Washington

— David Lombardi (@DavidMLombardi) December 23, 2012

In fact, Joe Mathis told me favorite among A+M, Bama, UCLA, USC, and Washington will be school where he can get playing time as a true FR

— David Lombardi (@DavidMLombardi) December 23, 2012

Mathis is one of the top defensive lineman still available on the West Coast and could be an impact game changer for whoever lands him. Apparently UCLA and Washington are near the top of the pack for landing Mathis. Mathis enjoyed his visit to Washington a few weeks ago and seemed to have good times at UCLA too.

If there's any determining factor, it could be the Tosh Lupoi factor.

Defensive end Joe Mathis will also choose at Army and his decision is interesting mainly because he will choose between Washington and UCLA, although he'll also have USC, Texas A&M and Alabama hats on the table. Look for Tosh Lupoi and the Huskies to take this one, barring a left turn.

Lupoi is going hard after Eddie Vanderdoes and Mathis in hopes of cobbling together a porous Washington defensive line. The team needs big bodies up front if they plan on beating the best teams in the conference on a regular basis. Mathis would be in good shape to play immediately as Washington lacks true difference makers up front. It would be a big victory for UDub to beat out schools like USC and Alabama for Mathis's services.

Mathis will make his decision January 5th.