"
UCLA, Cal and
Miami are three schools I'll look at going to first," Woodard told 247Sports.
The Hurricanes have been relentless in the Inland Empire in recent weeks, checking in with both Woodard and USC commit Quentin Hale. There has been considerable noise within the area, accentuated further when five-star cornerback Donte Wright flipped to Miami from Georgia.
Woodard has ascended to the top of the board for Miami as a legitimate target as position coach Kevin Beard looks to add to a group that already features blue-chipper Nick Lennear.
Yet, according to sources with knowledge of Woodard's recruitment, the in-state suitors should not be discounted.
Both the Bruins and Golden Bears are also pursuing Chaparral quarterback Dane Weber, with that race nearing a finish line. The Elite 11 Finals selection intends to make his commitment by the end of the month.
Getting Weber would boost the chances for Cal or UCLA in the Woodard sweepstakes, too. Distance is another possible factor, according to a source. Proximity to family was one of the main appeals of committing to USC early, and the Bruins and Bears would both provide the option to stay on the West Coast at the next level.
"Eli was comfortable backing off his commitment and will now work on setting up the visits," a source said. "It's not just those three schools. There is an influx of interest and there had been other schools gauging too that he couldn't really communicate fully with since he was committed."
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This won’t be a lay up IMO. I know the CBs have rolled in but we all know those don’t mean what they once did, just probably lead right now but will have to hold off the local schools.