Thursday, March 7, 2013
Cal & Arizona compete for CB
By Brent Sobleski
A Pac-12 recruiting battle is brewing over a California cornerback. Four Pac-12 schools have offered Naijiel Hale (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco). Two stand above the rest, and both recently overtook a Big Ten program.
"California and Arizona are my top two schools now,” Hale told Greg Biggins of Scout.com. “I sat down and looked at everything and I just really feel good about those two programs. I like the new coaches and the new direction at both programs. Cal has a new staff this year and Arizona is a year old and I like what both are saying right now."
Hale previously had Nebraska at the top of his list. He is still considering the Cornhuskers, but Hale is awaiting another Pac-12 offer.
“I’m still hearing USC could be close to offering,” Hale said. “We’ll have to see in a couple of days but it sure feels like it could happen. If they offer, they’ll be very high on my list. I had a great time at their Junior Day and they need defensive backs."
Arizona State and Washington State also offered Hale. Oregon could still enter the mix as well:
Brandon P. Oliver
Ducks look for lockdown corners in 2014"Hale (5-11, 175) recently stated that an Oregon offer would be a dream come true and the aggressive defender hopes to make a visit to Eugene before his senior season. ... Hale is one of the most aggressive and physical corners in the West and should see a spike in offers with a strong spring and summer. "
