Many top recruits pick out-of-state teams
San Ramon Valley-Danville incoming senior linebacker Marco Jones said he tried to get his family to move to Texas the past few years.
“Football in Texas is just different,” he said. “I also wanted to experience a different part of the country, and it’s been a dream to play in the SEC.”
Last week, Jones, the Chronicle’s No. 1 college prospect from the Class of 2025 and No. 11 in California according to 247Sports, committed to Texas A&M.
On Sunday, Riordan wide receiver/cornerback Chris Lawson, the Chronicle’s No. 4 and the state’s No. 19 recruit, committed to Washington, now of the Big Ten.
“In Seattle, I can really grow as a person on and off the field,” Lawson said. “Washington is the best choice for me.”
Jones and Lawson are part of a growing trend of local and California’s top football recruits heading out of state.
Of 247Sports’ top 100 California 2025 recruits, 77 have already committed, and 54 of those are leaving the Golden State.
Of the top 20 Metro recruits, only four have committed to staying in state — Pittsburg safety Jadyn Hudson (UCLA), Oakland offensive tackle Siosiua Vete (Stanford), Pittsburg linebacker Etene Pritchard (San Diego State) and Marin Catholic-Kentfield tight end Braiden Bachich-Dixon (San Jose State).
All but four of those 20 have made their college commitments, a high percentage compared to most years.
Riordan’s Lawson, a 6foot-1-inch and 185-pound two-way standout narrowed his 23 offers to Cal, Oregon and Washington.
He was one of nine California athletes, including four from the Bay Area, to pick the Huskies. The other locals joining Lawson are Valley Christian offensive lineman Champ Taulealea, Bishop O’DowdOakland athlete Deji Ajose, Monte Vista-Danville running back Julian McMahan and Menlo-Atherton tight end Devin Hyde.
Lawson was Washington’s 21st commit overall. He hauled in 68 passes for 969 yards and 11 touchdowns last season while adding 26 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Riordan coach Adhir Ravipati calls Lawson truly “special,” and he’s coached and trained some superb high-level athletes, including NFL players such as receiver Troy Franklin (drafted in the fourth round of 2024 draft by the Broncos), running back Jordan Mims (Saints) and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (Vikings), all while winning a state title during his fouryear tenure at Menlo-Atherton (2015-18).
Lawson “reminds me of Jalen McMillan from San Joaquin Memorial now in the NFL,” said Ravipati, referencing the receiver with the Buccaneers. “Chris is a dynamic athlete who’s very fluid and explosive. He’s got great instincts and plays with an edge and enthusiasm that comes from being an intense competitor.
“Chris is just a difference maker who honestly could play either wide receiver or cornerback at the next level and be an All-American type of player.”
San Ramon Valley’s Jones, a 6-foot-5-inch and 240-pounder, has terrorized offenses the past two seasons, recording a staggering 315 tackles. Not only a big hitter, he is superb in pass coverage, with a combined seven pass breakups and five interceptions.
He’s also a baseball recruit and plans to play both sports for the Aggies, who have new head coaches in both programs: Mike Elko (football) and Michael Earley (baseball).
“Marco will add an extremely athletic box defender who can play the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage,” said San Ramon Valley coach Aaron Becker, a former college quarterback who has been the Wolves’ head coach since 2013. “He is a defensive weapon unlike any other I’ve ever coached and very, very few I’ve coached against.”
California prospects leaving the state might have to do with the demise of the Pac-12 Conference. Golden State schools haven’t exactly been tearing it up on the field lately, either.
Consider these records the last five seasons (not counting 2020’s COVID-19 campaign): USC (36-28), UCLA (32-30), Cal (30-33), Stanford (22-39), San Diego State (40-25), Fresno State (45-21) and San Jose State (25-36).
By comparison, schools that draw many California recruits have done well in the same span: Oregon (5315), Washington (47-20), Washington State (36-28), Utah (48-21), Boise State (47-20) and BYU (37-27).