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Guys, I just got off the phone with UC's remaining big target for the 2020 class, Garfield (Wash.) four-star power forward Tari Eason. The top three remains, of UC, USC and Colorado.
As has been reported, including by our own Eric Bossi and Corey Evans, Eason is still set to announce his decision on Dec. 21. He told me that's his aunt's birthday and he wanted to do something special, plus right before Christmas for his mom and the rest of his family.
As I posted on here a couple of days ago, coach John Brannen just made an in-home visit with Eason Sunday night. And Eason told me they had a great time and that his mom (who will be crucial and has been in this) really liked Brannen. They talked a lot about how he could fit with the Bearcats and Eason said he likes how they run a lot of four-out, one in on offense.
"It went well," Eason said. "Coach Brannen is a great coach, in my opinion. He has great things in mind."
Eason officially visited Cincinnati back in October for the UCF game. And he told me repeatedly how much he was impressed by the fan support. He loved that people knew who he was and how welcomed he felt.
The thing that could be telling (and you always try to find those), is that USC made an in-home with Eason on Sunday. But neither Eason, or his mom have posted anything on Twitter about that. And that says a lot, since USC is who I keep hearing is the team to beat. I still think that, but I don't think it's as clear cut as many think. I honestly think it's close to 50-50 between Cincinnati and USC, with an ever so slightly lean towards the Bearcats.
I don't get the sense that Colorado is in it like the other two. He did officially visit there in September for the Nebraska football game, but he didn't have as much to say. The USC official was in September for the Utah game.
From what I've heard, Eason's mom is more connected to the LA area, so that's part of the pull. But when I asked about location being a factor, Eason told me, "It could be in Nigeria, it doesn’t matter." So, we'll see.
Hard to get a firm read here, but Cincinnati is squarely in this. We'll keep tabs on Eason and I'll post any other updates when available.
Full story coming.
Guys, I just got off the phone with UC's remaining big target for the 2020 class, Garfield (Wash.) four-star power forward Tari Eason. The top three remains, of UC, USC and Colorado.
As has been reported, including by our own Eric Bossi and Corey Evans, Eason is still set to announce his decision on Dec. 21. He told me that's his aunt's birthday and he wanted to do something special, plus right before Christmas for his mom and the rest of his family.
As I posted on here a couple of days ago, coach John Brannen just made an in-home visit with Eason Sunday night. And Eason told me they had a great time and that his mom (who will be crucial and has been in this) really liked Brannen. They talked a lot about how he could fit with the Bearcats and Eason said he likes how they run a lot of four-out, one in on offense.
"It went well," Eason said. "Coach Brannen is a great coach, in my opinion. He has great things in mind."
Eason officially visited Cincinnati back in October for the UCF game. And he told me repeatedly how much he was impressed by the fan support. He loved that people knew who he was and how welcomed he felt.
The thing that could be telling (and you always try to find those), is that USC made an in-home with Eason on Sunday. But neither Eason, or his mom have posted anything on Twitter about that. And that says a lot, since USC is who I keep hearing is the team to beat. I still think that, but I don't think it's as clear cut as many think. I honestly think it's close to 50-50 between Cincinnati and USC, with an ever so slightly lean towards the Bearcats.
I don't get the sense that Colorado is in it like the other two. He did officially visit there in September for the Nebraska football game, but he didn't have as much to say. The USC official was in September for the Utah game.
From what I've heard, Eason's mom is more connected to the LA area, so that's part of the pull. But when I asked about location being a factor, Eason told me, "It could be in Nigeria, it doesn’t matter." So, we'll see.
Hard to get a firm read here, but Cincinnati is squarely in this. We'll keep tabs on Eason and I'll post any other updates when available.
Full story coming.