Pac-12 Recruiting: Utah mines JUCO ranks for RB once more

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Utah has picked up a commitment from Devontae Booker, one of the best JUCO running backs in California.

Originally committed to Washington State before he could not pass the NCAA Clearinghouse, Booker flirted with Fresno State before heading to American River College in Sacramento. He rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, and he should provide a good lift to the backfield with John White set to graduate.

"I fit well with the scheme [at Utah]," Booker told Dan Sorenson of UteZone.com. "I've been running the same thing at AMC. We've been running inside zone, outside zone, power plays, things like that. I think it will be a good transition to play in that offense."

Sun Devils to get much-needed early delivery: Arizona State's defense has made improvements this season, but with several talented players exiting -- including stud linebacker Brandon Magee -- reinforcements are needed, and in a hurry. Enter Chans Cox. And in a hurry. Cox, a four-star linebacker out of Lakeside (Ariz.) Blue Ridge High, told ASUDevils.com's Kevin Stewart that he was excited to leave high school early and enroll at Arizona State in January.

"This all just feels awesome," Cox told Stewart. "I am very excited about all of this and to know that the time has come for me to take the next step. I am looking forward to sitting down with coach Graham and making all of this paperwork official."

ECA Trojan commit still keeping the faith: Southern Cal might be on its way to another possible five-loss season, which would be the team's second in three years after zero in the previous nine, but the Trojans are still one of the teams to beat on the recruiting trail. Eastern Christian (Md.) Academy's Khaliel Rodgers, the No. 2 offensive guard in the country according to Rivals.com, is still 100 percent committed to the Trojans, and he still plans on bringing some help. Kenny Bigelow, rated the No. 2 defensive end nationally by Rivals, and David Sills, a star class of 2015 quarterback, remain verbally committed to USC as well.

"I'm solid on this thing [USC commitment]," Rodgers told USCFootball.com. "I am looking forward to blossoming next year and have us go far. That's what I am looking forward to. Like I said, I am totally solid on USC. Then again, I don't understand why some schools or recruits pick on other schools when that team is losing and you are not there. It's not your year to sign and you are worrying about them losing a game? You shouldn't be worrying about that. I think it is kind of stupid. I am solid all the way through."

Where you talkin' bout, Willis? Priest Willis, the No. 1 cornerback in the west according to Scout.com, told Scout's Greg Biggins that he trimmed his list to seven. A true impact player with the size and speed to start immediately at most schools, Willis said he was still considering Notre Dame, LSU, Nebraska, UCLA, Arizona State, Virginia and Florida State. The Tempe (Ariz.) Marcos de Niza star told Biggins he intends to commit at the Under Armour All-American game in early January.

UCLA committ Jack schedules official visits: In the topsy-turvy world of college football recruiting, an official visit is rare, something to be treasured. So are elite linebackers. Bellevue (Wash.) High star Myles Jack is one, and though he remains verbally committed to the Bruins, schools aren't exactly backing down on him. In fact, he set up some official visits, though he told Scout.com's Brandon Huffman that he was still solid to UCLA.

“I'm going down to Mississippi State on Jan. 25, and that is the only one I have officially set,” Jack told Huffman. “And I know I'm going to take one to Utah because I told the coaches I would. And then one to UCLA of course, I talked with the coaches about when we want to set that up. I'm sure I'm probably going to take on to Washington. And then I have to see from there. If any other new schools come along, I want to save one for them. But those are the only ones I have for sure.”