Football Recruiting - West Region: Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona Wildcats
What they're selling: Rich Rodriguez's offensive system worked wonders at West Virginia and introduced the nation to Denard Robinson at Michigan. In 2012, the explosive offense scored at least 34 points in 10 of the Wildcats' 13 games.
What they're missing: The Wildcats don't have the Territorial Cup, which went to Arizona State following a 41-34 victory last season. If Arizona is going to climb the Pac-12 ranks, it'll need to win at home and lock up local talent over the Sun Devils.
Arizona State Sun Devils
What they're selling: There's a new attitude at Arizona State, as Todd Graham took the Sun Devils from the most penalized team in the country to one of the least penalized in just one year. Installing that discipline and accountability has been a major selling point for recruits signing up to play with Graham.
What they're missing: The Sun Devils won their final three games of the season for the first time in more than three decades, but losses to UCLA and USC leave them looking up at the Pac-12 South leaders in the battle for national prominence.
California Golden Bears
What they're selling: One of the top public universities in the world, Cal will always be able to pitch its strong academics to recruiting. The new facilities and revamped California Memorial Stadium will help accentuate the package with a pretty bow.
What they're missing: Coach Sonny Dykes has recent Pac-12 experience, but his three years at Louisiana Tech took him completely out of the minds of West region recruits. In-state recruits, essential to Cal's recruiting success, are unfamiliar with what Dykes' systems look like in game action, although the Golden Bears will have a chance to make several statements this fall.
Colorado Buffaloes
What they're selling: The Buffaloes need playmakers at a multitude of position on both sides of the ball. Playing time and the ability to make an instant impact are certainly on the table for Colorado recruits.
What they're missing: Colorado was two points away from a winless season in 2012 and has very little on-field momentum heading into 2013. The Buffs have just four wins in two years in the Pac-12, and until that changes, it'll be difficult to win significant recruiting battles.
Oregon Ducks
What they're selling: The noisy uniforms and noisier Autzen Stadium provide the flash, but there is plenty of substance in the fast-paced offense the Ducks run. It's unlikely that will slow down under new coach Mark Helfrich.
What they're missing: Mostly obviously, they're missing Chip Kelly, which has left a slight cloud over how the program might change direction or continue unaltered under the new staff. But the possibility of looming NCAA sanctions means the Ducks can't sell completely smooth sailing to recruits in this class.
Oregon State Beavers
What they're selling: The Beavers can sell credibility, not just on the field, but with the coaching staff as well. Mike Riley and his staff have proven they can win in Corvallis and year after year, the Beavers' coach comes across as incredibly genuine to recruits.
What they're missing: In state, Oregon State is the decided underdog when it comes to flash and national appeal. The Beavers aren't often referred to as a "dream school" by recruits, so there is rarely a sure-fire commitment for coaches when they go out of state.
Stanford Cardinal
What they're selling: Arguably no school in the country has the combination of academics and athletics of Stanford. When you're recruiting student-athletes, that's a good place to start.
What they're missing: Despite the recent success, Stanford is never going to be able to put together the game-day atmosphere of some of its Pac-12 competition, including Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.
UCLA Bruins
What they're selling: Jim Mora's staff has Southern California buzzing about the new direction UCLA is headed. That's a good thing for the Bruins, who have climbed out of the shadow of USC.
What they're missing: The Bruins had a chance to completely pass USC, but dropped their final three games of the season. There is still a question about whether they've jumped the Trojans for good and until that is settled on the field this season, the Trojans will likely get the benefit of the doubt, regionally and nationally.
USC Trojans
What they're selling: No Pac-12 program can fall back on tradition like USC. And now with the John McKay Center, old school meets new school in a much-needed facility upgrade.
What they're missing: Rumblings about Lane Kiffin's job security began after a 10-point loss to UCLA, grew louder after a loss to Notre Dame and became deafening after a Sun Bowl loss to Georgia Tech. Despite athletic director Pat Haden throwing his full support behind the coach, recruits and their families are having difficulty believing Kiffin and his staff are there for the long haul.
Utah Utes
What they're selling: Offensively, there is plenty of intrigue as to how co-offensive coordinators Dennis Erickson and Brian Johnson direct the attack. Overall, there is still the memory of what Utah was able to accomplish as a BCS spoiler in 2008, and Kyle Whittingham hopes to spark some of that magic in the Pac-12.
What they're missing: In two years, the Utes are below .500 in the Pac-12 and missed out on a bowl game last season. At this point, it's still an uphill climb in terms of convincing recruits they can cause an upheaval in the conference standings.
Washington Huskies
What they're selling: It's tough to find a coaching staff with more energy on the field or recruiting trail, starting with head coach Steve Sarkisian and moving to every assistant coach on the staff. It's a young group that relates incredibly well to recruits.
What they're missing: The Huskies have yet to win eight games in Sarkisian's three years in Seattle, so hitting that number would be a big step toward proving there is some growing on-field momentum.
Washington State Cougars
What they're selling: Mike Leach is still one of the most interesting personalities in college football, and despite some stumbles in his first year at Washington State, recruits are still interested to see what the Cougars can do this fall in his second year.
What they're missing: The Cougars need wins and they need them now. Washington State hasn't posted a winning record since 2003 and when it comes to on-field performance, it simply can't compete with a majority of Pac-12 teams.
" Athlete Jake Mann (Carlsbad, Calif./La Costa Canyon) made a statement early and often, as he was the go-to receiver for Team Elevate and came up with a huge game against Ground Zero in the 8-9 matchup on Sunday. The scrappy receiver was left bloodied after the game, but was the driving force in the close win. Mann will play quarterback this fall, but will play slot receiver at the next level. He visited Texas and Texas A&M this spring and will likely be back to compete in the Longhorns' summer camp. He said Cal, Harvard, Montana, San Diego State, UCLA and USC have been by the school.
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After an early commitment to the Sun Devils -- where his brother Rashad is a defensive back -- the younger Wadood has received increased interest from programs throughout the West. Oregon is one of those programs and the Ducks were a childhood favorite of the versatile Wadood. In fact, Wadood is the only one of the Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco stars to hold an offer from the Ducks.
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Visits boost L.A. schools for LB Calhoun 
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Interest increasing in Alemany safety duo 
But it's on the other side of the ball where Alemany could get a boost, with a senior safety tandem as productive as any in the region.
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After picking up an offer from Oregon earlier this month, Richard added another big Pac-12 offer on Wednesday morning, when he spoke with Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian.
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Trio of Ariz. standouts back from TAMU 
While many of the recruits in attendance at Texas A&M's spring game this past weekend were in-state standouts, a trio of talented players from Arizona flew out to get an up-close look at Kevin Sumlin's program.
Two ESPN Watch List prospects -- quarterback Kyle Allen (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain) and defensive end Qualen Cunningham (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) -- along with 2015 wide receiver Christian Kirk (Scottsdale, Ariz./Saguaro) made the trip and, according to Kirk, came away very impressed.
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Recruiting updates from B2G Invitational 
Quinn Smith
2014, Carlsbad (Calif.) La Costa Canyon |TE| 6-foot-5, 235 pounds
Smith jumped out simply based on his size, but the big tight end also showed why programs across the country have him on their radar. He holds an FCS offer from Eastern Illinois, but it might not be long before he breaks into the FBS ranks. His father attended Arizona and the Wildcats, who have expressed serious interest, would become the prohibitive favorite if an offer was extended. Smith also has heard from Air Force, Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Michigan, Nebraska, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, Washington State and Wisconsin. He plans to camp this summer at Stanford, and said both the Cardinal and Bruins are waiting for his SAT score to come in before discussing an offer. However it's unlikely that Smith, who sports a 4.3 GPA, will be tripped up by academics while working to get to the next level.
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Safety Mattrell McGraw (River Ridge, La./John Curtis) and outside linebacker Petera Wilson (Memphis, Tenn./White Station) hold offers from Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Wilson has also been offered by Florida, Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State; McGraw by Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
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Recruiting coming around for LB Lazarus 
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One offensive tackle ready to make a recruiting impact this spring is 6-foot-4, 270-pound tackle Bobby Johnson (Carson, Calif./Carson).
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Lengthy trip worth it for California QB 
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In 2011, a one-point regular season loss was followed by a 48-32 defeat for the CIF title. Last year, Carson dropped a hard-fought 26-20 decision in the regular season and again fell 39-12 in the semifinals. Pearson credits a senior-laden Narbonne team -- featuring Pac-12 signees Keishawn Bierria and Paulo Lepua on defense -- for coming away with those wins, but he knows that this season has a chance to be different.
"I'm excited for this year," Pearson said. "It's been a long time since I've felt like this. Every year is a big year, but this one is going to mean the most. It's my senior year."
Because there were so many defensive senior standouts in the city section last year, Pearson didn't generate much publicity. But after a season in which he registered 147 tackles, one interception and one fumble returned for a touchdown, Pearson will head into his senior year with plenty of attention.
Carson will open the 2013 season with its third coach in three years, but just as Kevin McCall -- a former Carson player and long-time assistant coach at the school -- will provide some stability as a head coach, Pearson will do the same on the field in a variety of roles.
Capable of playing inside and outside linebacker, defensive end and fullback, Pearson has a chance for another outstanding showing this fall.
"I really do a lot of things," he said. "I can pass rush, stop the run, play the pass. I don't really have a strong side. I can play anywhere. I like it all -- moving around the field."
Pearson's big numbers last season came despite a groin injury, which he is only now truly getting over. Once he is fully healthy, Pearson doesn't anticipate giving himself much rest this spring and summer. He's leaving his camp schedule up to McCall, but Pearson is excited to get to as many events as possible.
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2016 QB Justin Berry impressed out West 
The 2016 dual-threat quarterback visited Arizona State for two days this past weekend and said it was “definitely more than I expected.”
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The West Region consists of the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah, Washington and
Wyoming and provides talent for Pac=12 programs and other national recruiting programs.