Rodrick Pleasant Previews College Commitment
One of the nation's top uncommitted recruits in the class of 2023 is ready to come off the board.
Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra cornerback Rodrick Pleasant will make his college commitment on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. PT on ESPN. He announced a top five of Boston College, Cal, Oregon, UCLA and USC earlier this month.
Pleasant has had a busy past couple of months since wrapping up his senior season with the Cavaliers.
That got started with an official visit to UCLA right after the Bruins flipped quarterback Dante Moore from Oregon. He spoke about that trip and what stood out.
"The people. UCLA obviously got Devin Kirkwood. I played with him here," Pleasant said. "He's like a big brother to me. Dante Moore, he reminds me a lot of myself. Great person and ultimately he sees the big picture. It was a great visit for me."
READ MORE: Top Oregon recruiting storylines heading into national signing day
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound cornerback took his final official visit to USC on Jan. 13, a trip that was different despite numerous trips to see the Trojans.
"Just showing me what it would be like if I went there. That was a big thing," he said. "The people are amazing. It was a great visit."
Rodrick Pleasant is the top uncommitted defensive back in the country for 2023.
Max Torres/Ducks Digest
He's been able to build relationships with head coach Lincoln Riley as well as defensive backs coach Donte Williams, but when reflecting on the trip noted that the connection he's built with Williams may be the strongest.
"Donte is my guy. I really speak to Donte more than anybody. Lincoln's cool, but I've built my relationship with Donte. It was great. Grinch is great. Lincoln's great. Great people."
Playing for the Trojans would give him a chance to stay close to home, run track and be a difference maker on the football field. Factors like that are what make for a solid pitch from Lincoln Riley and company.
"Everything you just said. That's been their breakdown. Just telling me I can be a priority and be a difference maker for the school, not just the program."
What stands out the most for Pleasant when it comes to USC?
"Staying close to home. That's the biggest thing. My brother did it (Dominic Davis). He played there. That's probably the biggest thing, being close to home."
READ MORE: Oregon lands commitment from 2024 edge rusher Jaxson Jones
During the recruiting process he's been able to get close with a number of USC's 2023 signees.
"Zach (Branch) and Makai (Lemon). I got really close with them. Malachi (Nelson). They have some great guys."
Despite a lot of momentum for the Trojans, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks continue fighting and selling Pleasant on what he can achieve in Eugene.
"That I'll be a difference maker-- do everything," he told Ducks Digest. "Have a huge role there, come in there and help. They're building something special, that's what they tell me, I can be a part of something special. I'm a priority and I would really be a good fit for their program."
Dan Lanning made the trip to Los Angeles last week for an in-home visit with Pleasant and his family.
"It went well. It was a great visit. They talked about me being a priority. It was nice for me and my family to be able to see him in person."
Rodrick Pleasant during his Oregon official visit.
Getting a feel for Oregon has led him to connect with multiple staffers, mainly Demetrice Martin, Rashad Wadood, Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi--all of whom he speaks with frequently.
"Defensive minds," he said of the quartet. "Great people that ultimately want to see me succeed at the end of the day."
As he heads into his college commitment on Wednesday, he's holding a few things as most important.
"Just to let God lead me. That's the biggest thing," Pleasant said. "Just someplace that feels like home. That's the biggest decision for me. This is a life-changing decision and I'm excited about it."
READ MORE: Oregon football announces date and time for 2023 spring game
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