Zags reach out to 3-star center Jacob McFarland

Rising senior and three-star recruit Jacob McFarland identified Gonzaga as an interested program along with a handful of other schools, according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-11 center from Moreno Valley, California, is considered one of the highest risers of his class after a strong showing in summer circuits.

“It was surreal. I was jumping up and down when [Gonzaga] called,” McFarland told 247Sports. “I talked to Brian Michaelson and Roger Powell. They have a really good program. Chet Holmgren is one of my favorite players and he went there.”

No official visit to Spokane has been arranged. With the dead period exception from Aug. 6-15, recruits are allowed to make such in-person visits from Aug. 1 through Sept. 8, which is defined as the “quiet period”. Open recruiting is allowed from Sept. 9-Nov. 6., and then again from Nov. 11 through March.

As of now, McFarland has a scheduled visit with Wyoming in September, but has received interest from all over the country. USC, Houston and Providence are the most recent programs to offer him a scholarship, along with Pepperdine and Washington State to name a few. He’s also heard from Arizona State, LSU and Gonzaga.

McFarland is targeting the winter to make his decision.

Jon Soch shared high praise for 6’11” F Jacob McFarland of Rancho Verde (2023) calling him the “most impressive big he saw at UAA Finals” 🏀🔥 #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/NTlQe3VjOy
— West Coast Elite (@wceua) August 5, 2022

Ahead of his senior season, McFarland’s motor and athleticism set the foundation for what he can become as a player at the next level. His biggest upside right now is his defensive presence, specifically as a shot-blocker, with the mobility to become a true rim protector should he fill out his frame. There isn’t much to his game offensively yet, but he still finds ways to impact the game as a lob-threat given his ability to run the floor well.