With National Signing Day just days away, we look at the five most important commits in the Stanford recruiting class.
The Stanford Cardinal finished an up-and-down 2018 season with a 9-5 record following back-to-back losses to USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game, and to TCU in the Alamo Bowl. Running back Bryce Love finished as the Heisman runner-up and opted to return for his senior season, but the Cardinal lost a lot of talent from last year’s squad. The defense, which struggled most of the season, was hit hardest by graduation and early NFL Draft entries.
However, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of Stanford football, beginning with a small but talented crop of high school recruits. As we prepare for National Signing Day, we take a look at the five most important commits and signees of the 2018 Stanford recruiting class.
5. Trey Stratford, Center
Stanford was hit hard by graduation on the offensive line. Three starters and a top reserve are out of eligibility, including center Jesse Burkett. Though the Cardinal do a great job of replenishing from within on an annual basis, offensive line should have been an area of emphasis in the 2018 recruiting cycle. However, Stratford, the No. 9 center prospect in the country in the 247Sports Composite, is the only O-Line prospect currently listed as a signee or hard commit.
4. Thomas Booker/Andres Fox, Defensive ends
On the other line of scrimmage, the defensive line is in pretty good shape for 2018 – even though superstar Harrison Phillips will be playing on Sundays instead of Saturdays next fall. Starting ends Jovan Swann and Dylan Jackson return, as does top backup Thomas Schaffer.
Nevertheless, there should be opportunities for newcomers to work themselves into the rotation. Thomas Booker and Andres Fox should each get a look. Booker, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound strongside defensive end prospect from Baltimore, ranks No. 280 overall and No. 11 at his position nationally. Fox, listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, is a Mobile, Alabama native ranked No. 262 overall and No. 16 among high school pass rushers.
3. Kendall Williamson, Cornerback
The biggest holes on the Stanford roster heading into 2017 are in the secondary. The Cardinal must replace their leading tackler, safety Justin Reid, and top cornerback, Quenton Meeks, who both left school early for the NFL Draft. The unit will also be without Alameen Murphy, Brandon Simmons, and Alijah Holder, each of whom ranked among the team’s top 14 tacklers from last season.
Therefore, expect some new faces to see early playing time. Three of the 13 players listed in the 2018 Stanford recruiting class are defensive backs, and the closest to an immediate impact player is three-star Kendall Williamson. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds and with a 4.5-second time in the 40 to his credit, Williamson doesn’t have much work to do physically to get ready for college. Though he’s ranked as the No. 423 overall player and No. 41 cornerback in the nation in the 247Sports Composite, Williamson was given a fourth star and ranks No. 342 overall in 247Sports’ official rankings.
2. Michael Wilson, Wide receiver
Stanford is known for its tight ends, but there have been several talented wide receivers catching passes on The Farm over the years. David Shaw welcomes back each of his top four pass catchers, and eight of the top nine from last season, including J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. However, if a player is talented enough, he’ll have an opportunity to play right away.
Michael Wilson could compete for early playing time. A fluid route runner at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, with better than average hands, Wilson was ranked No. 241 overall and 42nd among high school wide receivers. He is also listed as the No. 30 player from California and was named to the U.S. Army All-American roster.
1. Jack West, QB
Clearly the most important member of the 2018 Stanford recruiting class is Jack West, a four-star quarterback prospect from Alabama. West ranks as the No. 235 player overall, No. 10 pocket passer and No. 7 player in a talented state. A 6-foot-4, 217-pound Under Armour All-American and Elite 11 standout, West chose Stanford from a long list of interested schools including Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Florida, USC and UCLA.
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At first glance, West is the prototypical Stanford quarterback. He has good size and a strong arm, and a high football IQ. Though he isn’t a dynamic runner, he is athletic enough to buy time in the pocket and can scramble for a first down on occasion. With Keller Chryst opting for a graduate transfer and third-stringer Ryan Burns graduating, West will battle 2017 five-star signee Davis Mills to be the backup to K.J. Costello next season, and the Quarterback of the Future for the Cardinal.