California high school football recruiting notebook: Utah, USC add Southern Section talent

Sierra Canyon's Wyatt Becker became Utah's first commitment in their 2025 recruiting class on Wednesday night

Author:
Bodie De Silva, SBLive Sports
Publish date:
Nov 16, 2023 12:53 PM EST

Sierra Canyon junior quarterback Wyatt Becker announced his commitment to Utah on Wednesday night. In his second season as the full-time starter for the Trailblazers, Becker has led Sierra Canyon to an 11-0 record heading into Friday's Southern Section semifinal showdown against Mater Dei.

Becker collected more than 20 offers from schools across the country over the past two years before choosing the Utes. He's averaging 220 passing yards per game this season to go along with 29 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He's also scored four times on the ground, averaging six yards per carry.

Chinedu Onyeagoro dominates the edge

The 2023 King/Drew football season wrapped up last week with a 21-14 loss to Franklin in LA City Section playoffs. Junior linebacker Chinedu Onyeagoro broke out last season as a sophomore with 17 sacks and followed it up this year with 21 sacks in addition to two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

His work has earned him a four-star ranking by 247Sports as he approaches double digit scholarship offers.

Read more about Onyeagoro's recruitment here

Isaiah Buxton reopens recruitment

Mater Dei Catholic defensive back Isaiah Buxton has been one of the state's most productive defensive backs over the past three seasons. Having wrapped up his high school career two weeks ago, Buxton announced last week that he is no longer committed to Arizona.

He totaled 77 tackles, nine interceptions and two forced fumbles over his three varsity seasons, helping the Crusaders capture CIF State titles each of the past two years. Buxton committed to Arizona in April, choosing the Wildcats over several offers including Cal and Washington State.

Now back out on the open market, Buxton figures to restart his recruitment as he searches for where he will call home beginning next season.

Justin Tauanuu flips to USC

Not long after announcing his decommitment from Stanford last week, Huntington Beach offensive lineman Justin Tauanuu will remain closer to home.

Tauanuu announced on social media that he has committed to USC, becoming the 17th member of the 2024 recruiting class and the fourth that projects to play on the offensive line.

The Oilers lost four out of five games to end the regular season but have flipped the script and now find themselves in this week's CIF Division 6 Southern Section semifinal round.

Recent commitments in California

Marcellus Chandler, 2024 WR, Vanden: San Jose State

Chase Jackson, 2024 LB, Damien: Sacramento State

Maealiuaki Smith, 2024 QB, Serra San Mateo: Oklahoma State

Justin Tauanuu, 2024 OL, Huntington Beach: USC