SEC Program Enters the Mix for Matayo Uiagalelei

Matayo Uiagalelei is one of the top pass rushers in the country and has high interest in the Ducks.

Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei has been going through the recruiting process for quite some time.

You could argue it's his second time he's gone through it after taking visits alongside his older brother and current Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.

Matayo is entering the semifinals of the California Southern Section playoffs with the Braves and Ducks Digest stopped by Bosco to check in on one of Oregon's top targets.

St. John Bosco’s Matayo Uiagalelei is one of the top uncommitted 2023 prospects in the country with the early signing period just about a month away. Oregon, Ohio State and USC all heavily involved pic.twitter.com/N9zceN1wX0

— Max Torres (@mtorressports) November 18, 2022

Uiagalelei was at USC to see the Trojans play Arizona State earlier this season and was most recently in South Bend to see his brother play the Irish. 

It's typically more of the same when I talk recruiting one of the faces of the Bosco progrma. Oregon, USC and Ohio State are the three schools most frequently mentioned in connection to the five star. 

However, in my most recent conversation with him I learned that an SEC program has entered the mix.

"I reached out to Georgia, so I'll probably take an official in the next couple of weeks."

Why did Georgia enter the mix so late in his recruitment?

"My recruitment wasn't really going anywhere. Not in a bad way--I just wanted to look back and see if there were any schools I might've wanted to talk or might've just talked to and fell out of touch (with). Or some other schools that I might be interested in. I think Georgia was really the only one that came up so I just reached out to them."

READ MORE: All-American CB Roderick Pleasant previews Oregon official visit

As he works to cover all his bases down the home stretch in his recruitment, he spoke about why Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have his attention.

"You can see it last year they had a historic defense. Trevon Walker last year, number one pick. That's my position. Just to see those guys--same thing as the other schools. Just to meet the coaches, see the guys that have come out of there, how they can help me."

He's talking to a pair of big names in Athens as the Bulldogs enter the picture in his recruitment.

"I reached out to Kirby Smart, so I've talked to him. I've talked to the outside backer coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe."

Uiagalelei is hearing the most from Oregon, USC, Ohio State and Georgia. Now he's planning to take his official visit to Athens next weekend following the Thanksgiving holiday. 

READ MORE: Bo Nix 'Preparing himself as if he can go' ahead of Utah showdown

On the outside it feels like it's been a drawn out process for the All-American. Even though it may be stressful, he's grateful to be in the position he's in.

"I'm thankful for it. I'm not getting tired of it, it's just a hard decision," Uiagalelei said of the recruiting process. "It's the biggest decision I've ever had to make in my life. Every place seems really good. It's just hard."

The Southern California standout doesn't have any other trips scheduled aside from his upcoming trip to Athens, which means the Bulldogs may end up making the final impression.

"If I do (take a visit) to any other schools, it'll be pretty all of the sudden."

Uiagalelei doesn't appear any closer to a decision but he does plan to sign and enroll early at his school of choice.

"There's not much time left," he said. "I still don't have like a date. What I've been saying is probably until the very end."

READ MORE: Oregon turning up the heat in pursuit of LSU commit Daylen Austin

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