Recruiting Update: January 7, 2013

California wide receiver Sebastian LaRue (image via Santa Monica Mirror)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2013
Santa Monica (CA) Santa Monica wide receiver Sebastian LaRue decommitted from USC.  He's the second wide receiver to decommit from the Trojans in recent weeks, joining Eldridge Massington, who subsequently committed to UCLA.  LaRue is also considering Notre Dame and took an official visit to Washington State, likely due to Mike Leach's reputation as a pass-happy coach.  LaRue is considering a visit to Michigan.

Placer (CA) Placer defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes decommitted from USC.  Vanderdoes is one of the best defensive tackles in the class, and he appears to be heavily considering Notre Dame, along with LaRue.  Alabama, UCLA, USC, and Washington are also being considered.

OFF THE BOARD
Spotsylvania (VA) Chancellor cornerback Chris Holmes changed his commitment from North Carolina State to Duke.  Holmes was offered as a potential replacement for Gareon Conley, but he never visited the Wolverines.  He could also play safety and wide receiver.

Upland (CA) Upland defensive end Joe Mathis committed to Washington during the Army All-American Bowl.  Michigan was high on Mathis's list at one point last summer, but the Wolverines stopped recruiting him several months ago.  There have been questions about his academic standing and suggestion that he might need to spend a year at prep school to qualify.

Seffner (FL) Armwood safety Leon McQuay III committed to USC during the Army All-American Bowl.  He had officially visited Michigan and was seriously considering the Wolverines along with Florida State and Vanderbilt, but perhaps the biggest thing on his mind was finding a school that could foster his development as a music producer.  It's tough to argue with USC due to its location, and they do a pretty good job of pumping out NFL talent, too.

Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad committed to Miami at the Army All-American Bowl.  The most persistent rumor was that he would be committing to Notre Dame, and there was actually some scuttlebutt that he was a silent commit to the Fighting Irish; however, there were also rumors that he didn't meet the academic requirements.  And judging from the past actions of Miami players, I doubt there are many academic hoops to jump through for admissions there.

Brooklyn (NY) Thomas Jefferson defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko committed to Clemson during the Under Armour All-America Game.  At one time the Tigers had verbals from the top defensive end in the country, Robert Nkemdiche, and Elijah Daniel, both of whom have decommitted since then.

Louisville (KY) Trinity wide receiver James Quick committed to Louisville during the Army All-American Bowl.  It was a neck-and-neck race between the Cardinals and Ohio State, but Louisville got the verbal.  There's still time for that to change, though.  Quick's teammate Jason Hatcher is committed to USC, but he has visits scheduled to Florida, Kentucky, and Louisville.  Another teammate, cornerback Ryan White, also holds an offer from Louisville but is committed to Vanderbilt.

Long Beach (CA) Jordan cornerback John Ross committed to Washington during the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.  Ross was being pursued by Michigan as a cornerback, but he will likely play wide receiver for the Huskies.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here's my analysis of the Michigan commits at the Under Armour All-America Game.  Posts on the Semper Fidelis and U.S. Army games will be coming soon.