Defensive back Priest Willis is a much more realistic option. Willis continues to list LSU as one of his leaders, and LSU continues to push hard for him. California safety Tahaan Goodman consistently says that he and Willis would like to play together in college and the only conceivable place they could do that would be UCLA. But lately, I've heard a few rumblings that Goodman could take an official visit to LSU sometime in January. If that happens, then LSU could be in the picture for both guys. It should be noted that the discussion of them playing together is only coming from Goodman. Willis doesn't seem to talk about it too much, and I wonder just how much he supports this idea. The odds are that these two wind up at UCLA, but LSU is very much in the picture for Willis. One thing to watch here is that the San Diego Chargers are apparently interested in UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. If Mora somehow left for the NFL, that would obviously help LSU's chances of landing Willis and possibly Goodman.

http://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2013/1/11/3863732 /recruiting-update-lsu-set-to-host-junior-day

Everyone is counting us out of the race to land Priest and that's fine. Because you know who's not counting us out? Priest. Nothing else matters.

pt42wildcatkilla wrote: Everyone is counting us out of the race to land Priest and that's fine. Because you know who's not counting us out? Priest. Nothing else matters.

I hope you're right, but I get the impression he's giving the local papers lipservice about ASU.

I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

It sure looks like it wont be us. Ide rather he go to LSU then UCLA. Why would you chose ucla over LSU?

Willis took 2 unofficial visits to UCLA to watch games at the Rose Bowl this year. He has a great relationship with Mora and the DB coach, Martin.

Willis' family absolutely loves Mora.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for UCLA since both starting CBs graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about UCLA.

HeavyDevil wrote: I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

Then he would go to Cal or Stanford if it was academics. Shoot Stanford's better at football too then Ucla & Lsu

Coach Meat's (Demetrice Martin) work with the secondary has been suspect.

Even with the conference's third best pass rush ( based on sacks/game), UCLA had conference's 8th best pass defense. Even with some young guys out there, that's pretty bad given the help from the pass rush.

ASU, on the other hand, had the conference's top pass defense. ASU loses a starting safety and corner, which means there is a high likelihood Priest would get early PT. Furthermore, the key pieces of ASU's pass rush are returning (Sutton, Young, Bradford, and Onyeali). Those guys would help him look good.

Coach Meat has his catchy "boom" chant, but Coach Ball greatly improved ASU's secondary.

It won't surprise me if Priest chooses UCLA, but he's not going to get better coaching, an earlier opportunity, or be a part of a better defense there than at ASU.

Iguodala9 wrote: Willis took 2 unofficial visits to UCLA to watch games at the Rose Bowl this year. He has a great relationship with Mora and the DB coach, Martin.

Willis' family absolutely loves Mora.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for UCLA since both starting CBs graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about UCLA.

HeavyDevil wrote: I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

Willis took MULTIPLE unofficial visits to ASU to watch practices as well as games at the Sun Devil stadium this year. He has a great relationship with Graham and the rest of ASU's staff.

Willis' family absolutely loves Graham.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for ASU since a main starting CB graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about ASU.

Goodman and Willis going to LSU would put something like 30 dbs on that roster. If guys aren't interested in playing time then they're probably not interested in football that much either. I don't get that impression from Willis, everything i've seen and heard indicates that he's a gamer, this is why I believe he'll be a Sun Devil.

Iguodala9 wrote: Willis took 2 unofficial visits to UCLA to watch games at the Rose Bowl this year. He has a great relationship with Mora and the DB coach, Martin.

Willis' family absolutely loves Mora.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for UCLA since both starting CBs graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about UCLA.

HeavyDevil wrote: I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

Not even close to the amount of time Priest has spent at ASU and with our coaching staff... so that really isn't all that impressive. Not to mention you're going to hear the kind of stuff about "His family loves coach XYZ" for every different school.

SunDevil03 wrote:

Iguodala9 wrote: Willis took 2 unofficial visits to UCLA to watch games at the Rose Bowl this year. He has a great relationship with Mora and the DB coach, Martin.

Willis' family absolutely loves Mora.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for UCLA since both starting CBs graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about UCLA.

HeavyDevil wrote: I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

Not even close to the amount of time Priest has spent at ASU and with our coaching staff... so that really isn't all that impressive. Not to mention you're going to hear the kind of stuff about "His family loves coach XYZ" for every different school.

Well, I know its a lot farther for Willis to drive down to Southern California than to go to Tempe. So he put himself out more to take the unofficial visits to UCLA than ASU.

Look, I dunno that Willis is 100% going to UCLA. Just giving some reasons why some people think Willis is high on UCLA.

We'll find out in a few weeks, won't we?

But what does he think about the fact that ASU will beat UCLA next season?  Does that not weigh on his conscience?

Iguodala9 wrote: Willis took 2 unofficial visits to UCLA to watch games at the Rose Bowl this year. He has a great relationship with Mora and the DB coach, Martin.

Willis' family absolutely loves Mora.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for UCLA since both starting CBs graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about UCLA.

HeavyDevil wrote: I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

Iguodala9 wrote:

SunDevil03 wrote:

Iguodala9 wrote: Willis took 2 unofficial visits to UCLA to watch games at the Rose Bowl this year. He has a great relationship with Mora and the DB coach, Martin.

Willis' family absolutely loves Mora.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for UCLA since both starting CBs graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about UCLA.

HeavyDevil wrote: I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

Not even close to the amount of time Priest has spent at ASU and with our coaching staff... so that really isn't all that impressive. Not to mention you're going to hear the kind of stuff about "His family loves coach XYZ" for every different school.

Well, I know its a lot farther for Willis to drive down to Southern California than to go to Tempe. So he put himself out more to take the unofficial visits to UCLA than ASU.

Look, I dunno that Willis is 100% going to UCLA. Just giving some reasons why some people think Willis is high on UCLA.

We'll find out in a few weeks, won't we?

I don't think anyone is arguing that he is high on UCLA as clearly he is or they wouldn't be in the top 3. What people have a problem with is some Bruin fans saying he is a silent commit and the race is over. He could very well end up at UCLA but the race is far from over.

NewpzDevil wrote: Coach Meat's (Demetrice Martin) work with the secondary has been suspect.

Even with the conference's third best pass rush ( based on sacks/game), UCLA had conference's 8th best pass defense. Even with some young guys out there, that's pretty bad given the help from the pass rush.

ASU, on the other hand, had the conference's top pass defense. ASU loses a starting safety and corner, which means there is a high likelihood Priest would get early PT. Furthermore, the key pieces of ASU's pass rush are returning (Sutton, Young, Bradford, and Onyeali). Those guys would help him look good.

Coach Meat has his catchy "boom" chant, but Coach Ball greatly improved ASU's secondary.

It won't surprise me if Priest chooses UCLA, but he's not going to get better coaching, an earlier opportunity, or be a part of a better defense there than at ASU.

ASU also had, by far (according to Sagarin) the weakest SOS in the entire conference. ASU was 52nd, and the next closest was Utah at 41st. Everyone was was in the 30s or better.

In addition to having the weakest SOS, it also seems that around 1/3 of your games came against back-up QB's or heavily injured starters. 

And our pass rush was predicated on leaving our CB's on one-man islands for many of the games. They had to dial it (pass rush) back a bit because Hester and Price just don't have the speed to do it. They're big corners but they were burned multiple times on the year, or were called for PI, just because they didn't have the speed. With Ishmael Adams (freshman) being injured for most of the season and Rios not being ready, Martin just had to go with what he had. 

Losing Abbott, Hester, and Price is going to open up a lot of PT opportunity in LA. Willis will have the opportunity to compete for 3 of our 4 DB spots right away.

And the key components of our pass rush are returning, in addition to bringing in some huge playmakers at both LB and DL. So Willis would be set for more than just one year with the front 7, where it's not as guaranteed at ASU for years to come.

Is it January 18th yet? This Priest saga is hetting drawn out too long by this kid.

Probably not as much as the FACT that UCLA beat ASU THIS season...... if anything that is weighing on his conscience....

Of all the games on UCLA's pac12 home schedule; ASU at the Rose Bowl in late November is one of the least concerning.

AZSarge wrote: But what does he think about the fact that ASU will beat UCLA next season?  Does that not weigh on his conscience?

Iguodala9 wrote: Willis took 2 unofficial visits to UCLA to watch games at the Rose Bowl this year. He has a great relationship with Mora and the DB coach, Martin.

Willis' family absolutely loves Mora.

On top of all of that, Willis has a VERY GOOD chance to start next year for UCLA since both starting CBs graduated and there is not a lot of depth at that position.

There are a LOT of things for Willis to like about UCLA.

HeavyDevil wrote: I wonder why everyone seems so sure that he favors UCLA?  Any evidence to suggest that, other than the assurances of the supremely confident UCLA fans that frequent this board?

spayNnueterallCATS wrote: Is it January 18th yet? This Priest saga is hetting drawn out too long by this kid.

10000% wrong.  He has no obligation to do anything to soothe the angst of message board posters.  He can take his time and visit all schools that interest him.  He doesn't even have to sign on NLOI day.

Don't see how Priest Willis is causing any drama.  And even if he were doing it on purpose, good for him.

^ keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. ASU certainly has the ability to beat the Bruins next season. I know it's hard to believe with UCLA being such as vastly superior team in terms of talent and coaching, but stranger things have happened.