5-star OL Josh Conerly, Jr. in no hurry to make his decision

SEATTLE – Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. will be one of the highest-ranked players to take his recruitment the distance this cycle. The five-star offensive tackle is focused on five schools, but he has taken only one of his official visits.

The no. 20 recruit in the Consensus On300 has plenty of time to take the other four official visits because he does not plan to sign in December.

“I am planning to sign in February,” Conerly told On3. “I am going to take my time and sign late.

“I will be taking more visits, so that will help me with my decision. Relationships are very important to me, and that is why I am looking hard at Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Oklahoma, and USC.

“It is about who is real with me and who I feel is being genuine. I am looking hard to make sure what coaches are telling me is what I will get if I go there.

“The honestly and support is very big to me.”

Two great visits to Michigan for Conerly, Jr.

The first visit to Ann Arbor was over the summer, then Conerly returned in September for an official visit. He saw the Wolverines play his home-state school, Washington.

“My first visit was good, and when I went there for a game, it was great,” Conerly said. “When I was there in September, the game stood out most. It was a lot of fun.

“The crowd was great and getting to see the coaches in action was great.”

Offensive line coach Sherrone Moore is the lead recruiter for Conerly. Jim Harbaugh is engaged with the Wolverine target as well.

“Communication is still great and they pushing hard. I talk to coach Moore two or three times a week and coach Harbaugh and I talk once or twice too.

“Michigan is definitely still pushing hard and the coaches are real, so I like that.”

Conerly to visit Oklahoma soon?

Oklahoma hosts Iowa State and November 20, and there is a possibility Conerly will be in Norman. Nothing is set yet, but that visit is being considered, and if he goes, it is likely to be an official visit.

“I do plan on taking an official visit to Oklahoma, but I am still not 100-percent sure when yet,” Conerly said. “I want to get out there to see what it is like. Oklahoma is a school I like.”

Offensive line coach Bill Benedbaugh has connected with the no. 1 player in player in Washington.

“I talk to coach B quite a bit. He is my guy. I know I can learn a lot from him. He is a great coach, he is fun to talk to, and he is like an OG when it comes to offensive line coaches.”

Conerly likes what he sees in the Sooner offense too. He has watched them on TV, and he sees what coach Bedenbaugh preaches.

“On TV, I see an offense that is explosive, an offense that is balanced, and good work from the offensive line. offense. The Oklahoma quarterbacks put up big numbers, and it is because the offensive line protects him.

“Under coach B, the offensive line is strong, and that allows the quarterback and offense to put up big numbers.”

Dream schools, Oregon and Washington high on Conerly’s list

Conerly grew up a fan of two schools – Oregon and Washington. Both schools are relatively close to home, especially the Huskies, and each is still very much in this race.

“Oregon was my third offer and my first Pac 12 offer, so they have been recruiting me for a long time,” Conerly said. I have gotten to know coach (Alex) Mirabal (offensive line) very well. I like him a lot. He is a great coach and we talk two or three times a week.

“Coach Mario Cristobal is a great head coach and he knows a lot about offensive line too. We have great communication also.

“Oregon is a great school with great coaches, and I plan on visiting there. It could be the Civil War game against Oregon State, but I am not sure yet.”

Being right down the road, Conerly has taken in a Huskie game this fall. He is familiar with the local school he has a strong connection with the coaches.

“Coach (Scott) Huff (offensive line) is not just a great coach, but he is a great person. He is a coach I feel cares about me a lot. We have had some great conversations.

“Coach Jimmy Lake is like that too. He is coach Huff are great people and very good coaches.”

The school has been on his radar from the beginning too.

“Washington is the school a lot of people around here grow up dreaming to go to. It was definitely one of my dream schools. I have watched them for a long time and I like the overall program.”

He is not sure if he will take an official visit to Washington yet or not. Whether he does or doesn’t, the Huskies are expected to be on his list to the end.

Conerly plans to visit USC officially

A school in L.A. might be too. Conerly visited USC unofficially in June. He is expected to go back. They are still without a head coach, but that does not affect his interest.

“USC is USC,” Conerly said to On3. “Going there is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is a great school that is going through a lot, but they have shown love from the beginning.

“They are still making time for me, they show me I am a top guy, and now I just want to see what happens with the coach. USC is a great school, I plan on taking an official visit there, and I could be there for the UCLA game.

“I am taking my time with them. They show me I am a priority, so I am making sure they are one for me too.”