Where Will 2016 QB Dominoes Fall After 4-Star KJ Costello Commits to Stanford?

Stanford claimed a crucial commitment from top-ranked California quarterback KJ Costello on Thursday afternoon.

The Santa Margarita Catholic High School junior selected Stanford from a trio of finalists that also featured USC and Michigan:

Costello, a 4-star prospect, is rated fourth nationally among pro-style passers in 247Sports' composite rankings. He was listed No. 1 among uncommitted quarterbacks in the 2016 class.

The Cardinal land one of the most coveted offensive playmakers of this cycle after opting not to sign a 2015 quarterback in February. USC and Michigan each signed a pair of players at the position last month.

"I feel like I've released a 500-pound burden off my back. I feel free," Costello told B/R's Damon Sayles. "I made possibly the biggest decision of my life. Now I'm looking forward to moving on and working as hard as I ever have before."

The 6'4", 213-pound talent tossed 23 touchdowns in 2014, completing 60 percent of pass attempts for 3,123 yards. He added 352 yards and four scores as a rusher. 

With Costello off the board, focus shifts to other top talents at the position.

As usual, it's getting late early when it comes to recruiting quarterbacks. 

Among the 25 players who warranted 4- or 5-star status in composite ratings, 10 have already announced commitments. That list includes each 5-star recruit (Jacob Eason, Malik Henry and Shea Patterson), along with the top-rated, dual-threat prospect (Feleipe Franks). 

Credit: 247Sports

Steve Sarkisian has signed three quarterbacks in the past 13 months, while Jim Harbaugh is expected to have just one quarterback on the 2015 roster who he personally recruited out of high school. This should motivate Michigan to intensify efforts elsewhere.

Eason is the biggest prize, despite a longstanding pledge to Georgia. The Washington quarterback is less likely to land in Ann Arbor than intriguing Indiana native Brandon Peters, who recently named the Wolverines to his top-five list. 

LSU also landed in Peters' collection of favorites, despite holding a pledge from Franks. The Tigers appear adamant about securing two quarterbacks in this class, and 4-star Maryland standout Dwayne Haskins is another top target who has LSU under consideration.

Haskins has expressed interest in announcing a commitment this spring, though we could see his recruiting seep deep into summer with Texas, Maryland, Rutgers and Ohio State among other programs in the mix. 

Ohio State and Rutgers are also going head-to-head for New Jersey product Jarrett Guarantano. The Scarlet Knights legacy listed Tennessee in his top three, creating a compelling final push in a recruitment that should be wrapped up fairly soon.

The Volunteers lost grips on a commitment from 4-star North Carolina quarterback Austin Kendall earlier this month and hosted Guarantano on campus last weekend. Butch Jones appears to be in strong position to pluck him away from Big Ten territory, while many expect Kendall to end up at Kentucky.

Auburn is another SEC squad in play for multiple passers. Jawon Pass and Woody Barrett both view the Tigers as a top choice, while Alabama also seems to be in solid standing with both dual-threats.

Decommitments will surely redefine the recruiting landscape moving forward. Last year, we saw decision reversals from Ricky Town, Blake Barnett and Brandon Wimbush dramatically alter the final stretch toward national signing day.

We've already watched Kendall and former Texas Tech commit Tristen Wallace hit the open market after early pledges on the 2016 recruiting trail. Rest assured, there are more surprises to come.

Costello put on a Stanford cap Thursday afternoon, but other coaching staffs will undoubtedly continue their pursuit of the Southern California star.

Classes can be built or broken by the quarterback who leads them. Here in early spring, the nationwide scramble for passers is already well underway.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.