4-Star OLB Recruit Khaylan Thomas Reveals Top 5

California linebacker Khaylan Thomas has kept busy on the recruiting trail, collecting offers from teams across the country in recent months. The 4-star prospect is beginning to pinpoint his top choices, and revealed a list of five favorites to 247Sports reporter JC Shurburtt on Sunday.

Thomas identified Arizona State, Miami, Oregon State, Arizona and UCLA as the programs to beat at this point. The 6'2", 210-pound playmaker, who earned heavy collegiate interest after his junior season, aims to announce a commitment before the end of summer, per Shurburtt.

He received offers from three of his Pac-12 favorites (UCLA, Arizona and Arizona State) in February. Miami joined the chase less than two weeks ago, while Oregon State extended a scholarship on May 1.

Thomas left schools like Nebraska, Utah, Colorado and Washington State out of his cluster of top-contending teams. While he now has a list of favorites, the defender expects to survey his options as more opportunities arrive.

“I am going to wait it out for a while and see what else happens,” Thomas told Shurburtt.

Earlier this year, he told 247Sports reporter Barton Simmons that USC and Oregon are a pair of programs he'd be interested in receiving offers from.

Thomas enjoyed a tremendous 2013 season at Etiwanda High School (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), tallying 75 tackles, five sacks and an interception. He saw a significant jump in production from a sophomore campaign that featured 33 tackles and two sacks.

Thomas provides an intimidating presence in the front seven, serving as a balanced defender who handles himself well against both the run and intermediate passing game. He is a strong tackler and deserves consideration as one of the top strikers on the West Coast.

His strong junior season provided a steady rise in national prowess. Thomas is rated No. 15 nationally among outside linebackers in 247Sports's composite rankings.

He is projected to sign with UCLA by 60 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball. 

Recruit information and statistics courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

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