By now, you know which teams topped the 247Sports Team Composite and who the big winners were on National Signing Day. But let's take a step back and look at some of the battleground states that make or break recruiting classes and build national championship rosters. Earlier today, we rolled out breakdowns of Florida and Texas. But right now let's dive into the state of California.
Top247 players and who they signed with:
QB JT Daniels, USC
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
CB Olaijah Griffin, USC
CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart, USC
QB Tanner McKee, Stanford
ILB Solomon Tuliaupupu, USC
S Jaiden Woodbey, Florida State
C Justin Dedich, USC
WR Marquis Spiker, Washington
QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
WR Devon Williams, USC
ILB Jack Lamb, Notre Dame
ATH Bryan Addison, UCLA
DT Tyler Manoa, UCLA
QB Jack Tuttle, Utah
DE Abdul-Malik McClain, USC
DT Tuli Letuligasenoa, Washington
OLB Merlin Robertson, Arizona State
OLB Raymond Scott, USC
S Jevon Holland, Oregon
OT Tommy Brown, Alabama
OG Chris Murray, UCLA
S Stephan Blaylock, UCLA
CB Chase Williams, USC
S Aashari Crosswell, Arizona State
OLB Bo Calvert, UCLA
S Julius Irvin, Washington
WR Isaah Crocker, Oregon
WR Kyle Philips, UCLA
WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
DE Jeremiah Martin, Texas A&M
OT Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
S Steve Stephens, Oregon
WR Michael Wilson, Stanford
WR Austin Osborne, Washington
Which out-of-state school had the most success in California
Washington signed four of the Top247 prospects in California, While Oregon signed three Top247 prospects. Notre Dame signed a pair of Californians.
Strengths of the class
The receiver class in California was excellent, led by the No. 2 receiver in the country, Amon-Ra St. Brown and joined by Marquis Spiker (Washingon), Devon Williams (USC), Isaah Crocker (Oregon), Kyle Philips (UCLA), Chris Olave (Ohio State), Michael Wilson (Stanford) and Austin Osborne (Washington).
It was also a good year at safety, headlined by Florida State signee Jaiden Woodbey and his St. John Bosco teammate Stephan Blaylock (UCLA), future Oregon teammates Jevon Holland and Steve Stephens, Washington signee Julius Irvin and Arizona State pledge Aashari Crosswell.
Weaknesses of the class
It was a really down year for California running backs, a year after arguably the top 1-2 punch in state history of Najee Harris and Stephen Carr. Once T.J. Pledger moved to IMG Academy, the West lacked a Top247 running back in the class.
Which area of the state produced the best talent
Orange County had the most signees, with the top three players all prepping in the O.C. and four of the top six. In all, 10 Orange County prospects made the Top247, including four from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, USC signees Amon-Ra St. Brown and J.T. Daniels and offensive linemen Tommy Brown (Alabama) and Chris Murray (UCLA).
FBS QBs and where they’re headed
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei QB JT Daniels, USC
Corona (Calif.) Centennial QB Tanner McKee, Stanford
Long Beach (Calif.) Poly QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
San Marcos (Calif.) Mission Hills QB Jack Tuttle, Utah
Three gems
QB JT Daniels, USC. The Gatorade National Player of the Year, Daniels led Mater Dei to a CIF State Open Division Championship and a mythical national championship as a junior, then reclassified to the 2018 class, started the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and won that.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC. The favorite target of Daniels, St. Brown was the top prospect in the region in this class, until Daniels reclassified, and may be the best of the St. Brown brothers, which includes likely 2018 draft choice Equanimeous St. Brown and Stanford freshman Osiris St. Brown.
CB Olaijah Griffin, USC. After having his prep career end in a loss to Mater Dei, and Daniels and St. Brown, Griffin will get to join forces with them in college. The versatile corner was one of the most dynamic players in the Southland this year and was an electric punt and kick returner.