The number of uncommitted West region offensive linemen is beginning to dwindle as the recruiting process continues to creep forward on the calendar. But there are still some very talented big men content to take their time, including offensive tackle Riley Sorenson (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Santa Margarita).
The three-star lineman is creeping toward double-digit offers after he received one from UCLA earlier this week. He also holds offers from Pac-12 programs California, Colorado, Washington and Washington State. Though it is still early for him in the recruiting process, Sorenson has taken unofficial visits to Colorado, Oregon and Washington State, among other schools, and he does have two schools out front.
“Right now my two leaders are Washington and Cal,” Sorenson said.
About Washington, Sorenson said, “It’s a great school overall. I like what they are doing with the program. The new stadium is going to be awesome. And Dane [Crane], Connor [O’Brien] and Sean [Dowling] are going there, so having them on the team would be awesome.”
And in regard to Cal, Sorenson added, “I really loved the campus and I talk to coach [Jim] Michalczik pretty frequently. They obviously offer an excellent education and they are a really good o-line school.”
While 61 of California’s top 100 recruits have already made a verbal commitment, Sorenson said he won’t let the rush of early commitments affect the way he approaches the recruiting process.
“I don’t really feel any pressure from anybody to commit as soon as possible,” Sorenson said. “I’m taking as much time as I need to. Once I make up my mind, I want to go into it with confidence. There is no timeframe. I’m just thinking through all my options and scenarios.”
Sorenson said he will definitely make use of his official visits, and will likely spend two on his two leaders. UCLA, Sorenson’s newest offer, will likely have an opportunity to join the race as well, though the 6-foot-5, 328-pound lineman said as of right now, the Bruins are “probably one step behind” his top two.
“It’s more about finding a good academic school,” Sorenson said of what he is looking for during his recruitment. “Is the football program on a good track? Do I like the coaches and what they preach? Things like that.”
As his senior year shifts into focus, Sorenson and his Eagles teammates will take on the 2012 season as defending state champions. It was a junior-dominated team last year, so expectations are high for Santa Margarita.
“Overall, we’re pretty confident,” Sorenson said. “Max [Tuerk] is next to impossible to replace, so we all have to get better. We have to do what we can to replicate last year. We have to have the senior step up even more and give a great effort all season.”