4-Star OL Brett Neilon Impressed by USC and Stanford, Plans Michigan Visit

Southern California offensive lineman Brett Neilon senses his recruitment has switched into another gear during the past month. He feels like a top priority.

"I've noticed since signing day, coaches have been hitting me up a lot more. There's growing attention," Neilon told Bleacher Report on Sunday at The Opening's Los Angeles regional camp.

Expanded interest from college staffs across the country shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering his status as the No. 2 overall center prospect in 247Sports' 2017 composite rankings. The 4-star recruit and Santa Margarita Catholic High School junior saw things pick up last summer, and the pace continues to increase.

Washington, Arizona, Utah, Virginia, Vanderbilt and Michigan are among programs that have offered since January. Those teams join a list that already included schools from near and far, including UCLA, Boston College, Arizona State and Duke.

Though he lined up at left tackle for Santa Margarita Catholic last fall, Neilon targets a transition to center entering his senior season. That's where his collegiate future likely lies, though several coaches have also indicated he possesses the necessary skill set to excel at guard.

The 6'2 ½", 291-pound athlete is a punishing run-blocker who drives defenders downfield with excellent pad level and consistent hand placement. He's athletic enough to extend laterally as a lead-blocker and contributed mightily in that department last season when Santa Margarita Catholic attempted to establish its short passing game.

He spent his junior campaign protecting prized passer KJ Costello, an U.S. Army All-American considered the No. 3 quarterback recruit in the 2016 composite rankings. They could ultimately reunite next year if Neilon elects to join his former teammate at Stanford, where Costello signed last month.

"He loves it up there. I know he'd like to have me at Stanford too, maybe snapping to him. KJ is a world-class quarterback, so that would definitely be cool," he said.

Both players were on campus at Palo Alto last weekend, when Neilon attended a Cardinal junior day event. They also spent time with fellow Santa Margarita product Austin Maihen, an offensive lineman who signed with Stanford in 2015.

"It's a very impressive school, and there's a lot to like about what it can do for you off the football field. It's a place where I think I could be comfortable," Neilon said.

He could also follow a former high school teammate to Michigan, where Santa Margarita Catholic wide receiver Dylan Crawford is set to enroll this summer. Dialogue continues to increase with the Wolverines' staff.

"I talk to Michigan a lot lately," Neilon said.

He's been impressed by early conversations with offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Tim Drevno and plans to visit Michigan within the next few months. 

"Coach Drevno straight up told me he's going after NFL draft picks," Neilon said. "He told me 'We're going to contend for national championships', and the times we've spoken on the phone I definitely get the vibe that he would kind of be like a father figure on campus. I want to go up there and see for myself."

Neilon mentioned the possibility of traveling to Ann Arbor alongside fellow coveted California offensive lineman Wyatt Davis, a 5-star tackle who also expressed serious Wolverines interest Sunday.

Michigan is among several programs attempting to lure Neilon beyond state borders. He mentioned Washington and Washington State as schools that continue to consistently show love.

Credit: 247Sports

Washington, like Michigan, will likely receive an upcoming visit. Neilon also anticipates trips to Cal, UCLA and USC in the near future.

"I'm going to check out some campuses and then kind of narrow things down to a list of schools I'm serious about," he said.

Neilon, who doesn't yet have a set timetable for his collegiate commitment, visited USC last month on Presidents Day and plans to attend a Trojans spring practice. He's already had a chance to sit down with head coach Clay Helton, who made a positive impression.

"He seems like a great guy; someone who is very down-to-earth and truly cares about you physically and mentally," Neilon said. "I think he'll do an excellent job getting the team prepared. He's helped make things stable for the USC brand. Watching the video of Coach Helton get introduced as head coach, those players obviously love him and care for him."

Neilson, pursued by Pac-12 powerhouses and several schools outside the region, will have plenty to consider throughout his recruitment process.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.