Wootten 150: Cassidy's takeaways after day two
LAS VEGAS – The annual Wooten 150 Camp wrapped up on Friday, and the second and final day of action featured a number of nationally relevant recruits still mulling their college decisions. Below, Rivals national analyst Rob Cassidy shares some news and notes on three such prospects that helped shape the event’s second day.
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More: Cassidy's takeaways from the first day of the Wootten 150 Camp
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GEORGIA TECH, ARIZONA STATE AND AUBURN AMONG THE PLAYERS FOR JAHKI HOWARD
Jahki Howard’s recruitment has included a few twists to say the least. There have been canceled decision dates and a constantly-evolving list of programs involved in his process. As his game has stabilized and improved over the last year, however, so too has his college future. These days, it feels as though the four-star wing could be headed toward a final decision after he concludes a handful of upcoming visits.
“I have a few visits I’m setting up,” Howard said on Friday. “I’m going to Auburn on Oct. 21 and then I am taking a visit to Georgia Tech, but we don’t have a date just yet for that one. Those are the two main schools I am setting up.”
Howard, who already took an official visit to Arizona State says he likes what he saw in Tempe and will consider the Sun Devils going forward. He has set no timetable for a commitment. According to Howard, Arkansas and USC are also involved to some extent.
“It was a nice campus,” Howard said of his visit to ASU. “I really liked it. I’m not gonna lie, I really liked everything about it. They have a great atmosphere and a big fan base.”
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IAN JACKSON SHOOTS DOWN ST. JOHN’S RUMORS
There’s been a fluctuating level of buzz about North Carolina commit Ian Jackson considering backing off his pledge and exploring St. John’s as an option since the Red Storm hired Rick Pitino back in March.
The omnipresent buzz was muffled this week in Las Vegas, as Jackson shot down any possibility of a late-cycle change of heart with confidence and gusto.
“I’m going to North Carolina,” Jackson said matter-of-factly on Friday afternoon.
Of course anything is possible in recruiting, but the vigor with which the five-star is shooting down decommitted rumors seems to indicate there's nothing to see here. Jackson is expected to sign with the Tar Heels during next month's early signing period.
Jackson was one of the event’s top performers on Thursday, as he showed off his full arsenal of offensive weapons. He didn’t work out on Friday, but hung around the gym doing interviews and watching games.
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HUDSON GREER TAKING VISITS BUT HEARING ADDITIONAL OFFERS MAY BE IN THE WORKS
Hudson Greer has already visited both Arizona and Texas and is preparing for a UCLA visit that will start on Oct. 20. And while the in-state Longhorns feel like the early program to beat because of its proximity to home and the number of times Greer has already been on campus, the weekend he’s about to spend in Westwood certainly has the feel of an important moment in Greer’s recruitment.
“I was offered pretty much a year ago, but I haven’t been able to go there just because of scheduling conflicts, so I don’t know a lot yet. I’m really looking forward to learning everything when I get there.”
Greer remains focused on the offers he has for the time being, but the four-star wing says he’s starting to hear buzz about a pair of bluebloods that may enter his recruitment in the year ahead.
“I’m hearing some little bits of chatter about Duke and then, maybe Kansas as well,” Greer said. “We’ll see what happens. I’m really happy with what I have right now, though. So we’ll see what happens with them,”