B/R Recruiting Notebook: 5-Star WR Talks Offers; 4-Star Brothers a Package Deal?

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. — The Opening and Elite 11 Los Angeles regional competitions took place on Sunday, and more than 400 athletes battled to earn an invitation to finals competition in Beaverton, Oregon, this summer. Sunday also was an opportunity to catch up with several athletes who are deep into their recruiting processes.

Here's the latest from a few heavily recruited athletes in the 2017 and 2018 classes.

Out-of-state schools showing WR Lewis most interest

It was a good weekend for Los Angeles 5-star wide receiver Joseph Lewis. After visiting Arizona on an unofficial trip Saturday, the Hawkins High School prospect shined Sunday at The Opening regional and earned an invitation to The Opening finals.

Lewis, the nation's No. 4 wide receiver and the No. 20 overall player in the 2017 class, said he's up to "24 or 25 offers" now and added that every offer is equally important. Texas A&M was the latest school to offer.

"The schools communicating with me the most are Oklahoma, Arizona State, Nebraska and Oregon," Lewis said after Sunday's performance at Redondo Union High School.

What was noticeable in Lewis' exchange was the lack of in-state schools mentioned. Lewis has offers from USC, UCLA, Cal, San Diego State and San Jose State, but he said the out-of-state schools have been the ones he's been hearing the most from as of late. That, however, doesn't mean in-state schools are out of the picture. In fact, USC is a definite school to keep an eye on.

"It really doesn't matter," Lewis said of playing out of state. "As long as I feel comfortable, that's how I'll make my decision."

Lewis doesn't have any upcoming junior days or unofficial visits scheduled, but he did say he has an idea of the school he wants to attend. He's looking for a place with a positive environment, a winning football tradition and, perhaps most importantly, a place with a high graduating percentage of its players.

"I want a good coaching staff and coaches who can help you on and off the field," said Lewis, who wants to open his own sports facility and also one day have his own clothing brand after college. "I want a program who builds family. I want to have a good relationship with the coaches and players. That's what I'm mainly focused on."

College teammates? For the St. Browns, possibly

The St. Brown brothers from Mater Dei High School—2017 Osiris St. Brown and 2018 Amon-Ra St. Brown—competed in Redondo Beach on Sunday. Could the wide receiver duo become a wide receiver trio by the 2018 football season?

The St. Browns have an older brother, Equanimeous St. Brown, at Notre Dame, and while the conversation of reuniting the brothers in Fighting Irish uniforms is a common topic of discussion, Osiris and Amon-Ra are both set on letting the process run its course before any decisions are made.

"We think about it sometimes, but at the end of the day, we want to do what's best for us," Amon-Ra said. "If we can play at the same school, that'd be great, but whatever's best for us is what we'll do at the end of the day."

"That would be like a dream, three brothers at the same college at the same time," Osiris added. "At the same time, we want to have our own recruiting processes and check out which schools fit us the best and go from there."

Osiris has 19 reported offers, including Washington, Cal, USC and Stanford. Amon-Ra said he has offers from Arizona State, Alabama, Boise State and Utah. Both athletes also have Notre Dame offers, and their 247Sports "crystal ball" predictions trend to them choosing the Irish when it's time for them to sign their respective national letters of intent.

It's not a secret that big brother Equanimeous wants to reunite with his brothers. Osiris was on an unofficial visit to USC and tweeted "FightOn?" to his followers.

Equanimeous shared his sentiments with a quoted retweet:

"He wants us to go to Notre Dame, but it's not like he's pushing us," Osiris said. "He knows we're going to do our own recruiting processes."

Pac-12 school recruiting WR Bynum hardest

Damon Sayles/Bleacher Report

Bellflower, California, 4-star wide receiver Terrell Bynum was one of several big-name athletes who attended USC's junior day Saturday. The St. John Bosco High School standout, however, said another Pac-12 school has been the most consistent in recruiting him early in the process.

"A lot of schools have caught my attention early," Bynum said, "but I think Washington is recruiting me the hardest, with a couple of other schools behind it."

Bynum isn't rushing his process, as he's looking to begin narrowing down schools (he has 18 reported offers) in an effort to verbally commit before the start of Bosco's 2016 season. Among the schools that have offered are USC, UCLA, Washington and Michigan. Utah is the latest school to offer, and schools like Notre Dame and Oregon are showing major interest in the 6'1", 175-pound athlete.

The winning school will get a speedy athlete who has great hands and runs solid routes. That school also will get someone who is a true student of the game.

"I watch a lot of film so I'll know my opponent," Bynum said. "I don't get surprised during the game. I feel that's my best attribute. I can sit down and watch film and understand what's going on and find the holes in a defense."

The Opening alum's advice: 'Embrace the moment'

A couple of The Opening alums were spotted Sunday, as USC signee Jack Jones and USC early enrollee C.J. Pollard both attended The Opening Los Angeles regional. Pollard, a Junipero Serra High School graduate, offered key advice not only for the athletes competing for a ticket to The Opening finals, but also for those preparing to compete at spring camps and combines.

"Get up, go hard and embrace the moment," Pollard told a group of athletes. "Don't be afraid to compete against the best, because the best is going to give you the best looks. If you go against the best and shine against the best, you'll get a lot of publicity yourself."

Serra has its share of players to keep an eye on. One of the younger athletes that could be heavily recruited in a couple of years is 2019 cornerback Max Williams, who already has reported offers from Florida State, Maryland, Louisville, Washington State and Boston College.

QB Kelley: 'Oregon is perfect for me'

Good news, Oregon fans: Your quarterback of the future is solid with his commitment.

Very solid.

Chandler, Arizona, 4-star quarterback Ryan Kelley told Bleacher Report that his commitment to the Ducks—which he announced publicly on Nov. 12—is still firm, despite recently picking up new offers. Kelley, the nation's No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the 2017 class, has 13 reported offers, the latest coming from Central Florida.

"I'm committed to Oregon," the Basha High School standout said. "I have great relationships with all their coaches. When I took my visit there, I didn't want to leave."

Kelley added that schools like Arizona State, Notre Dame and Texas A&M have been recruiting him the hardest. He also understands that the recruiting process is roughly 11 months away from ending for him.

However, Kelley said it will be "very tough" for a school to knock Oregon out of the top spot.

"Right now, everything with Oregon is perfect for me," he said.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles