Jared Mayden Sets Decision Date: Which Program Is Best Fit for 4-Star CB?

On the heels of a standout performance at the Dallas Nike Opening regional camp in which he earned a trip to The Opening, 4-star corner Jared Mayden told Ryan Bartow of 247Sports that he will announce his commitment at the camp featuring the nation’s top prep talent in the summer. 

The 6’0”, 190-pounder from Sachse (Texas) High School rates as the No. 13 cornerback in the country and the No. 142 player overall in the 2016 class.

Mayden has close to 40 offers under his belt, and as his Crystal Ball page indicates, there doesn’t appear to be a clear favorite in his recruitment. 

Bartow notes that Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas Tech and UCLA are schools recruiting Mayden the hardest—with the Buckeyes atop that list.

But which school provides the best fit for Mayden at the college level?

For starters, Mayden has a versatile skill set that makes him a coveted prospect for top programs.

“He’s a guy that blends great size at the cornerback spot,” said Bleacher Report College Football Analyst Michael Felder. “[He] played corner, played a little at the nickel corner spot on the inside. Great size. Great athleticism. [He has] the ability to understand what the coaches were asking him to do. Great technique from him.” 

Those attributes are part of what make him one of the top corners in the 2016 cycle.

As Joey Helmer of OUInsider noted, Mayden had previously reported a top three of Ohio State, Oregon and TCU before backing off that earlier this month.

While the Buckeyes, Ducks and Horned Frogs are all likely to still be in the picture, schools such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State and Texas may have an opening to to become a factor with Mayden. 

Perhaps a key indicator for Mayden will be the itinerary of visits he’s lined up before he will make his choice.

According to Bartow, the Lone Star State standout plans to visit Oregon and Alabama in April. His last visit will be to Florida State in June—with Arkansas mentioned as another school who could get him on campus before his decision date.

Mayden has a game that translates well at many of the schools on his list of suitors because of his versatility. 

In particular, out of state options such as Florida State and Ohio State have both done a good job in moving corners around and letting them play in different positions.

Another school that could be a good fit for Mayden, as Felder points out, is Texas.

“We talked about how he loves football,” Felder said at the Dallas Nike Opening Regional Camp. “To me, that’s a guy that fits in with Charlie Strong.”

However, as Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Damon Sayles notes, it’s fellow in-state power TCU that could prove to be the best fit for Mayden’s game.

“I can also see him a little bit closer to home at TCU,” Sayles said. “Gary Patterson loves those types of athletes. He can learn a lot from Gary Patterson. I wouldn’t be surprised that if he were to go there, he would [also] land some of his teammates from Sacshe High School.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.