RB Rayshon Luke has his mind made up, will commit on Saturday

SAN ANTONIO — On Saturday, two of the top uncommitted running backs in the nation will reveal where they’ll be playing football at in college.

Those prospects are Rayshon Luke and Trevor Etienne, both of whom will announce their decisions during tomorrow’s All-American Bowl.

For Luke, a couple of contenders in his recruitment — Arizona and Louisville — offered him only five weeks ago. His other finalists are in-state programs San José State and UCLA.

Luke, who plays for powerhouse St. John Bosco in Bellflower (California), spoke with On3 about what he’s looking for in a school at the next level.

“That family-oriented, Bosco brotherhood,” Luke said. “If you don’t feel comfortable with the coaches or comfortable with the people, you’re not going to enjoy it. That’s what I’m looking into. My life starts now. Once I find a good place in my heart — which I already have — everybody will know on the 8th.”

Late offers won’t hinder Arizona or Louisville

Arizona is viewed by the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine as the favorite for Luke. There was a time, however, when they weren’t even in the picture in his recruitment.

The Wildcats extended an offer to Luke back on Dec. 4. Over the next seven days, the staff came to St. John Bosco for a school visit with Luke, and got him on campus for an official visit as well.

Luke says Arizona’s program checks off a few key boxes for him.

“It’s Arizona. It’s five hours away from Cali. Of course, who wouldn’t want to be home?” Luke said. “Coach Jedd Fisch, he makes it feel like home… he’s amazing. Coach Scottie Graham, the running backs coach, is amazing. They all make me feel like I’m one of theirs, and I’m not one of theirs yet. That’s just what I look into. I like the family-oriented organization.”

Arizona’s offense averaged 356 yards per game and 4.91 yards per play, scoring 18 total touchdowns on the year. It was not the most explosive offense in college football last season, but Luke likes what he’s seen.

“The offense is amazing. It’s balanced. Run the ball, throw the ball,” Luke said. “I don’t want too much running or too much passing. Plus, I’m trying to do running back and slot, so it will work in my favor to do both.”

Compared to the other schools in his top four, Louisville is by far the one that is the farthest from Luke (1,800-plus miles). The No. 19 running back on On3’s 2022 Consensus Rankings is not letting distance impact his interest in the Cardinals.

“They’re in the mix because they’re in the ACC,” Luke said. “Who wouldn’t want to be a part of one of the biggest conferences in college football? I feel like I have that type of talent to be in the ACC. Louisville is a great school… [The visit] was amazing. I learned a lot of stuff.”

In-state programs are in contention for Luke

Luke is not opposed to the idea of leaving California for college, but he’s also showing strong interest in two in-state schools. One of those — UCLA — is the closest to Luke of his four finalists.

Running backs coach DeShaun Foster’s presence on the staff is an integral part of Luke’s interest in the Bruins.

“UCLA is home, right down the street. And the UCLA Bruins, who wouldn’t want to beat USC?” Luke said. “UCLA has a special place in my heart. Coach DeShaun Foster, amazing dude. I look at him as a father as well. How he took me in and made this recruiting process for me fun.”

San José State got involved in Luke’s recruitment back in February 2021, and they’ve not let up in their pursuit of him. Luke took an official visit to the school the last weekend of November and had an in-home visit with the entire staff the following week.

“San José State is a great, great school,” Luke said. “Coach [Alonzo] Carter, Coach [Brent] Brennan, Coach [Eric] Scott, they’re all amazing dudes. I look at them as parents. They’re very nice and loving. Just the school and administration.”

On3’s RPM gives Arizona a 67.7 percent chance at landing Luke. Louisville has the second-best odds at 30.7 percent.