B/R Recruiting Notebook: IMG CB Talks Possible Stops; Twins Discuss Future Plans

For a weekend highlighted by the NBA All-Star festivities in New Orleans, college football recruiting held its own with big news. While one SEC program had an outstanding week overall, a Big 12 team and an ACC team helped their causes over the weekend regarding 2018 recruiting.

The Pac-12, however, may have scored the biggest commitment of the weekend. Palaie Gaoteote, the nation's top-ranked linebacker out of Las Vegas power Bishop Gorman High School, announced his pledge to USC Sunday afternoon.

Gaoteote had offers from UCLA, Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Oregon and several other programs. He told Shotgun Spratling of Scout that the decision was easy, as he has family members who have been longtime Trojans followers.

"I've always been a USC fan growing up," he said. "It's always been my dream school. It's always been a dream of mine to attend USC. It just felt right in my heart. I was 100 percent sure of it."

LSU scored big throughout the close of the week, landing five commitments overall—all hailing from the state of Louisiana. Arguably the biggest name of the five is 4-star defensive tackle Davin Cotton, a Shreveport native who also had reported offers from Tennessee and Mississippi State.

LSU also had commitments from 3-star linebacker Micah Baskerville and versatile safety Ar'darius Washington, two of Cotton's teammates at Evangel Christian Academy. Plaquemine defensive tackle Nelson Jenkins and Copiah-Lincoln Community College defensive end Travez Moore, who is from Bastrop, also committed to the Tigers.

Miami and Baylor scored recruiting wins, as well. The Hurricanes on Saturday landed a couple of hometown pledges in 4-star running back in 4-star Camron Davis and 3-star safety Randy Russell, both out of Miami Carol City Senior High School. Baylor on Saturday added its first two 2018 pledges—two in-state prospects—in 4-star wide receiver Josh Fleeks from Cedar Hill, Texas, and 3-star offensive tackle Jackson Kimble from Southlake, Texas.

In 2019 recruiting news, Oklahoma jump-started its class by picking up two 4-star commits Sunday. The Sooners' future quarterback will have two studs as potential targets in Texas wide receivers Theo Wease Jr. and Arjei Henderson.

As pointed out by Bob Przybylo of Scout, both wide receivers announced their commitments via Twitter at the same time: 1:20 p.m. CT Sunday.

"

Soon to be a sooner... ☝⭕️ #BoomerSooner #Norman19 pic.twitter.com/N55BGi6A7C

— Theo Wease Jr (@weasejr_) February 19, 2017"

"

Bigger Things‼️ #Norman19 pic.twitter.com/aPB2sSLiCr

— Hendi™ (@king_hendi) February 19, 2017"

Here are some additional updates on some of the nation's top college football recruits.

'Bookie' visits FSU, talks upcoming visits

IMG Academy 4-star cornerback Brendan "Bookie" Radley-Hiles had a busy-yet-fulfilling weekend. On Sunday, he was one of 12 athletes—including five from his school—to compete at The Opening regional in Orlando, Florida, and earn an invitation to The Opening finals.

The day before, Radley-Hiles was in Tallahassee, Florida, for Florida State's junior day. He told Bleacher Report on Sunday that he gave the visit "a 9" on a 10-point scale. Radley-Hiles has close to 30 offers, but he's yet to report one from the Seminoles.

Three schools that have offered, however, are Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. He said those are three schools he's heard from often throughout the offseason.

"I want to visit Texas and Oklahoma definitely soon," he said. "I'll be in attendance for the Nebraska spring game. Those schools have showed me the most love. I'm just looking for the school where I can get a high-quality degree and showcase my ability in a town where I'm supported to the fullest."

Radley-Hiles transferred to IMG in December after playing last year at Calabasas High School in California. He said he's excited about the upcoming spring and summer seasons with the talent surrounding him in Bradenton, Florida.

"It's been a great transition because of the support and friendship the guys showed me as soon as I got here," he said. "They really bring you in and treat you as if they've known you for 10 years."

Moore twins: Possible teammates one day?

When Yoakum, Texas, 4-star athlete Jordan Moore ended his recruiting and committed to Texas A&M on Dec. 21, two questions immediately followed?

Which position will he play in college? And will his twin brother, 4-star wide receiver Joshua Moore, follow suit?

Jordan told Bleacher Report that he will play cornerback at Texas A&M. As for being able to call his brother a teammate at the next level, he said he would love it, but that's still to be determined. After all, they are no longer teammates in high school; Joshua transferred to IMG Academy earlier this year, while Jordan remains at Yoakum High School.

"Regardless of where he goes, we'll always be brothers," Jordan said of Joshua. "It's family first. Just because we put on a different jersey doesn't mean we don't have the same blood. We have the same last name, and as long as he's putting on for that last name, then I can't complain."

"

Need I say more?.. pic.twitter.com/SeitQYpl9b

— JoshuaMoore (@_TheJoshuaMoore) January 22, 2017"

Joshua, who earned an invitation to The Opening finals after performing in regional competition Sunday in Orlando, claims more than 50 offers and is fresh off a junior-day visit to Florida State. But schools like Ohio State, Oklahoma and LSU, as well as Texas and Texas A&M, are ones to watch as his recruiting continues.

"The reason why [Jordan] committed was the relationships [Texas A&M] built with him and the chance at early playing time," Joshua said. "They've shown tremendous love to both of us, but for me, it's all about the the overall development, both mentally and physically. The plan they have set up for me after football is the main factor that'll play into where I want to go."

Mitchell now the top-ranked uncommitted LB

Credit: Student Sports

With Palaie Gaoteote committing to USC and with quality linebackers a must-grab for many college programs, all eyes will be on Virginia Beach, Virginia, 4-star Teradja Mitchell, the nation's No. 2 linebacker in the 2018 class.

At 6'2" and 237 pounds, Mitchell can play both the inside and outside linebacker positions. It's his versatility, speed, tenacity and lateral movement that makes him such a hot commodity in recruiting. Mitchell has 30 offers but released a top 11 at the beginning of this month.

"

T O P 1 1 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/QXqBzXEOub

— Teradja Mitchell ™ (@WhosThatNumber7) February 2, 2017"

Last month, Mitchell spoke with Michael Clark of Scout about potential X-factors—on and off the field—that could separate teams as he continues to narrow down his list.

"I want to see each school's business program," Mitchell said when asked about potential visits to Florida, LSU, Alabama and Michigan. "I will also hopefully be able to see them practice and talk to players at each, so I can get the input on what life is like at the schools."

One school to keep an eye on is Florida State. Mitchell is at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, and the Seminoles earlier this month signed a 4-star player from the school in running back Khalan Laborn. Florida State also has recruited the state of Virginia well in recent years.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of Scout.com. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles