LaMar Winston Reveals Top 8: Odds on Where 4-Star Lands

Linebacker LaMar Winston released a list of favorites Thursday evening that's heavy on potential Pac-12 landing spots.

The 4-star Oregon standout trimmed his options to eight teams, revealing his decision on Twitter:

"

I want to thank every college that has recruited me, it has truly been a blessing. Here are my top 8 schools#Blessed pic.twitter.com/A1wbYFGBE8

— #WhyNotLa'Marvelous (@LamarWinstonJr) May 22, 2015"

His list includes seven Pac-12 programs. Michigan is the lone exception after offering Winston a scholarship earlier this month. 

The 6'4", 200-pound prospect is a rising senior at Central Catholic High School in Portland. He is considered the state's top overall recruit in 247Sports' composite rankings, which list him 16th nationally among outside linebackers.

Winston secured 74 tackles—13 for loss—during the past two seasons. He flashed formidable playmaking skills in 2014, averaging 25 yards per reception en route to seven touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

Now that Winston has shared which collegiate programs remain on his radar, it's an appropriate time to take a look at the top contenders in this race. We cut the list in half to focus on four teams with the strongest chance of landing the linebacker, handing out odds for each option.

Oregon: 2-to-1

The Ducks carry obvious clout as his sole in-state option. Oregon already landed fellow Portland product Brady Breeze, a 4-star defensive back.

Head coach Mark Helfrich has his program in position to land the state's top three prospects for the first time this decade. Breeze is rated second among Oregon recruits, while Ducks tight end pledge Cameron McCormick is third on the list. 

After a run to the national championship game featuring a Heisman Trophy winner, Oregon has never been more popular. Winston can stay close to home in Eugene and join a national powerhouse in the process, adding to a defense that has quietly begun to balance things out on a team known for its prolific offensive attack. 

"I don't know if Oregon is still my favorite, but I still like them a lot," Winston told Andrew Nemec of The Oregonian. "I'm looking forward to getting down to Oregon some more."

Washington: 3-to-1

Head coach Chris Petersen has been persistent on the recruiting trail following his first season with the Huskies. His squad picked up a third 4-star pledge earlier this week when California running back Sean McGrew picked Washington over UCLA. 

In-state defender Brandon Wellington is at the foundation of this class. The 4-star safety committed last summer, and Petersen is in a position to pair up perhaps the Northwest's top defensive duo with Winston in play.

Washington signed several linebackers in the 2015 class, but none warranted the attention Winston has received. The Huskies hosted him on campus for a junior day earlier this year, and university proximity is possibly an enticing selling point, as Winston could view Seattle as far enough from home but not so far away as to cause discomfort.

Credit: 247Sports

Michigan: 5-to-1

The Wolverines are a relative newcomer to this race, extending a scholarship offer earlier this month. Michigan assistant Jay Harbaugh already visited Winston in person, displaying the program's serious interest.

As we mentioned earlier, Michigan is the only school in his top eight that doesn't reside in the Pac-12. Head coach Jim Harbaugh aims to return the program to prominence, and a key part of that effort is exhibiting a nationwide recruiting reach.

His current class includes six committed athletes from five states, ranging from Indiana to Alabama. Harbaugh still has plenty of West Coast recruiting ties from his tenures at Stanford and San Diego, and he is expected to host Winston on campus for an official visit, per Nemec.

USC: 6-to-1

Among multiple California suitors, we like the Trojans' chances best. USC is steadily regaining traction as a national "destination school" for recruits across the country, further evidenced by 2016 commitments from 4-star Georgia wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe and 4-star Michigan linebacker Daelin Hayes.

Winston received an offer from head coach Steve Sarkisian in late February, and he's consistently reciprocated interest since. USC is set to welcome him to campus in July, according to Nemec.

The Trojans' roster strength at linebacker could actually serve as a weakness in this pursuit. USC arguably landed the nation's top class at the position last signing day and already holds pledges from a pair of top-rated 2016 linebackers in Hayes and Mique Juarez, creating a crowded depth chart in Los Angeles.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.