Sooners Rising in California?
Ever since Oklahoma made an offer to in-state Sooner legacy Casey Thompson there has been a focus of 2018 quarterback recruiting on the Southmoore product. However he isn't the only rising junior signal caller that has caught the eye of offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and one of the biggest names on that list of quarterback targets is Newbury Park, Calif. four-star Cameron Rising.
And it seems that Rising will return the interest in the Sooners by making his way by Norman, as well as several other college campuses, next month.
"I'll be at LSU on July 16, Alabama on the 17, Houston on the 18, TCU on the 19, Oklahoma State on the 21 and Oklahoma on the 22," Rising said.
"I want to see if I get that feeling, I want to see the academics side of the programs, how I get along with all the coaches/players and if I could see myself living there for four years of my life."
The trips will be Rising's first away from the West Coast and in those trips closer to home he has learned plenty that he can employ for his upcoming trips.
"Yes I've learned the differences between coaches. The way they teach their players. I figured out that I tend to do better with coaches that have a lot of energy. And yes I have also learned how to handle myself around the coaches and everyone else in the programs," he explained.
Rising, who was recently offered by UCLA, is the younger brother of 2016 Arizona State signee Tyson Rising, and says that prior to his Bruins offer he had some clear favorites. Though he isn't ready to list them, well not exactly.
"Everything is open at the moment but there are some schools that are starting to jump in front of the others," he said. "I'll tell you this my brother goes to one and I'll be visiting some of the others next month.
The four-star Southern California signal caller may be ready to take his first visits away from home but he says his choice will come down to the moment he knows something is right.
"Once I feel comfortable (I'll decide), that is the plan for now," the planned sports medicine major said.
Riley came to Newbury Park to see Rising throw in the spring and it seems that as Rising starts to narrow his numerous options the potential relationship with Riley, and any other quarterback coaches, will play a huge role in his choice.
"I think coaches are one of the most important things. Then the schooling aspect. Then the fact if I could live there for a few years of my life," Rising explained.
"He told me that he liked my game and I think he really liked the fact that I could extend plays."