Schools to Watch for Mique Juarez After 5-Star Decommits from USC
Another prized USC recruit has reopened his recruitment.
Mique Juarez, a sensational in-state linebacker from North Torrance High School in Los Angeles County, announced intentions to explore alternative collegiate opportunities Tuesday morning:
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
His decommitment comes less than 48 hours after 4-star Michigan linebacker Daelin Hayes backed off a verbal pledge to the program. These decisions occur in the wake of head coach Steve Sarkisian's dismissal amid substance abuse accusations.
Backlash on the recruiting trail has been swift for USC. The Trojans have tumbled from sixth to 13th overall in 2016 composite class rankings since Sunday.
Juarez, a 5-star talent rated second nationally among outside linebackers, initially committed to USC last winter. This development opens the door for other teams to enter the equation, though several continued to pursue throughout his Trojans pledge.
Michigan, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma are among universities that extended offers since Juarez's Jan. 18 announcement. He already held scholarship letters from a collection of Pac-12 programs, including Oregon, Washington and UCLA.
The firmness of his pact with the Trojans seemed to be waning in recent months. Crosstown rival UCLA looked like a rising challenger in this race, as pointed out in a September report from Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.
Juarez told Bartow last month the Bruins were “pushing the most” in his recruitment. Throw in plans for a "final commitment" ceremony at the Army All-American Bowl, held Jan. 9, and USC wasn't exactly on solid footing for the next few months.
The Bruins are a natural fit to instantly slide into the role of "favorite" moving forward. UCLA claimed the past four experts' predictions in Juarez's 247Sports Crystal Ball, leading to a 75 percent confidence rate that should continue to climb in days to come.
He was clearly comfortable staying close to home for college based on a commitment to the Trojans, and a switch into UCLA's class would still allow him to maintain practically identical proximity between family and campus.
Bruins head coach Jim Mora has assembled an outstanding group of pledges in the defensive front seven. His haul features 5-star defensive end Oluwole Betiku, fearsome Los Angeles-area edge-rusher Breland Brandt and 4-star linebackers Lokeni Toailoa and Krys Barnes.
A formidable collection could become even more impressive and potentially dominant with Juarez on board. As we often see in college football recruiting, one team's loss can quickly become a rival's gain.
While UCLA ascends to the top of possible landing spots, other schools warrant attention here. Juarez told Bartow in September he aims to line up official visits at Ole Miss, Ohio State and Oklahoma, though he's hasn't spoken expansively about those programs in public to this point.
Expect dialogue between the linebacker and those teams to immediately intensify, while coaching staffs across the country ask him to take a second look now that he's shed the "committed" label.
Juarez enjoyed an outstanding junior season, leading to widespread recruiting attention. He tallied 107 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three interceptions and six forced fumbles last fall, per Dave Thorpe of the Daily Breeze, adding 2,200 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns.
This may rub salt in the wound for USC fans, but Bleacher Report recruiting analyst Sanjay Kirpalani compared the versatile Juarez to a current Trojans standout during B/R's CFB Recruiting 200 series.
"The comparison for Juarez to Su'a Cravens is a fitting one. He's very similar in that he has the skill set of a safety playing in the box as a linebacker," Kirpalani noted. "His versatility to line up in different spots and create havoc as a pass-rusher or as a run-stuffer is impressive."
Juarez has the look of an instant impact performer in a college defense. However, after almost a year of plans that suggested otherwise, his biggest impact at the Coliseum will probably occur as an opposing player.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
