Washington recruiting signing day notebook: As big decisions come down, 5-star Rainier Beach offensive tackle Joshua Conerly Jr. taking his time
Rainier Beach's Joshua Conerly Jr. is in no hurry.
In fact, he has every intention of taking his recruiting to overtime.
The start of signing day came and went Wednesday as some of the biggest names in the country revealed their home destinations for college football.
Conerly, the top offensive tackle recruit in 2022, according to 247Sports.com, has a list of six finalists for his services - Michigan, Miami, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and Washington - but won't be announcing the winner until March, at the earliest.
And because of his untapped athletic ability, those schools will patiently wait.
"Conerly is a smooth, flexible big man who explodes from his hips on contact," said Brandon Huffman, national recruiting editor for 247Sports.com. "He is agile enough to get to the second level on run plays, as well as handles pass rushers with his kick step and punch, where he locks them out."
In the meantime, Conerly - SBLive WA's state offensive lineman of the year - continues to rack up national-level achievements.
Last month, he played in both the All-American Bowl in San Antonio and the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii. He also received the Anthony Munoz national high school lineman of the year award.
When it's all said and done, Conerly might leave the high school ranks as the best offensive lineman to ever come out of Washington.
In the meantime, he is enjoying the final few weeks as one of the most sought-after recruits.
"It’s been a fun process, and I really have enjoyed every moment of it," Conerly told SBLive WA after a basketball game last week. "But all good things come to an end, you know."
SUMNER STANDOUT GETS LATE D1 OFFER
Sumner's Peyton Wing was well on his way to another all-4A SPSL first-team type season.
It was derailed by a serious right knee injury that cut his season short after six-plus games.
So was a great deal of his potential recruiting stock, which took an obvious hit.
Set to sign with the College of Idaho, Wing got an unexpected surprise text message from Portland State University a couple weeks ago. The Vikings were interested in making him part of their future.
"I went on a visit, loved the campus, the coaches and players," Wing said. "At the end of it, they offered me."
And Wing - who is still months away from resuming full-speed workouts, even though he has been doing leg strengthening lifts - accepted. He signed to be part of Portland State's class of 2022 recruits Wednesday morning.
"I was waiting for somebody to give me a chance," said Wing, the 2021 spring league player of the year. "And I am thankful it happened."
(Featured file photo by Vince Miller)
