Top Metro recruit says no to Stanford
It doesn’t appear that Fremont-Oakland senior Naki Tuakoi will be attending Stanford after all.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end, the Bay Area’s top 2024 college prospect according to 247Sports, announced on social media this week that he has reopened his recruitment.
He had committed to the Cardinal on June 12 after taking official visits to Arizona and Stanford.
Tuakoi said the coaching staff at Stanford has been supportive and “shown me love throughout the entire recruiting process.” He thanked all the coaches by name, including head coach Troy Taylor.
“Your belief in me means a lot and I’ll always appreciate y’all for taking a chance on a kid from Oakland,” he wrote.
Tuakoi didn’t offer a reason for his decision.
The other school where he made an official visit, Arizona, is another logical possibility, especially since his Fremont teammate Sefo Akuila committed to the Wildcats on Sept. 6.
Among other possible destinations for Tuakoi: Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oregon, USC or Michigan State. Pac-12 teams Oregon State, Utah and Washington State have also offered.
Oregon, headed to the Big Ten, has been a popular destination for many local products, including several current Ducks, wide receivers Troy Franklin and Jurion Dickey (both of MenloAtherton), defensive backs Evan Williams (St. Francis) and Nikko Reed (Moreau Catholic-Hayward), linebacker Jerry Mixon (Sacred Heart Cathedral) and Dickey’s brother JuJuan, a defensive lineman.
It’s been a tough senior season for the 4-star Tuakoi, ranked the 29th top senior recruit in California. His Tigers are 0-7and have been outscored 174-48.
A look at how some other local still-uncommitted top recruits are faring and where they might end up:
QB Maealiuaki Smith (Serra, No. 43 California ranking by 247Sports): The 6-4, 195-pounder is having another All-Metro type season for Northern California’s top-ranked team (8-0). He’s completed over 65% of his passes for more than 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has 20 reported offers, but all signs point to Smith going to Oklahoma State, though BYU is still in the hunt.
OL Kalolo Kaihea (Riordan, No. 47): Part of a massive offensive line that up to last week was averaging 47 points and 434 yards per game. The 6-7, 260pound tackle has 11 offers and is scheduled to make his first official visit this weekend to Arizona. San Jose State is another strong possibility.
OL Ikinasio Tupou (Palo Alto, No. 87): Another big tackle (6-6, 290) who has 13 offers. Washington appears likely, although Arizona, BYU and Utah are in the mix.
ATH Ananias Walker (Windsor, No. 103):
The 6-1, 180-pound receiver and defensive back has played in just three of Windsor’s eight games after transferring in the spring from Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park. He has nine catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns and three tackles. Among his eight offers are Cal, Arizona, Oregon and Miami.
RB Herschel Turner (Mount Diablo-Concord, No. 106):
A game-breaking running back who ranks fifth in the nation in rushing (2,244 yards, 18.1 yards per carry, 33 touchdowns), Turner has 10 offers including Utah, Washington State, UNLV and Yale.
Among the top Metro recruits who appear firm on their commitments: San Jose State — S Joseph Bey and LB Jabari Mann (Serra), OL Tevita Manukainiu (Aragon-San Mateo); San Diego State — LB Danny Niu (Serra); Washington State — CB Kamani Jackson (El Cerrito); Colorado State — OL Berlin Lillard (Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland).