Prediction: Oregon State Beavers set to add highest-rated HS defensive prospect in program history

Spring Valley High School (Nevada) standout Kelze Howard is set to announce his commitment Friday
Prediction: Oregon State Beavers set to add highest-rated HS defensive prospect in program history
Prediction: Oregon State Beavers set to add highest-rated HS defensive prospect in program history /

The Oregon State Beavers haven't landed a 247Sports composite four-star recruit since wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins on November 19, 2016

But that is about to change.

Prediction: Kelze Howard to Oregon State Beavers

Following an official visit to Corvallis, Spring Valley High School (Nevada) defensive lineman Kelze Howard has set a decision date for Friday at 2 p.m. PT on CBSSports HQ. 

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah and several others.

But as his decision nears, Howard is down to a list of five finalists: Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, USC and Utah: 

The commitment date comes after a whirlwind month of June in which Howard shuffled around his official visit schedule several times.

Originally set to visit Arizona, Nebraska, Oregon and Utah, he ended up taking trips to see the Wildcats and the Beavers.

The end result appears to be a massive recruiting victory for Jonathan Smith and his coaching staff.

"I loved it there on my visit. I loved the atmosphere, the weather, the players, the coaches, the plan in place for me and really everything about the visit," he told 247Sports. "I’ve always liked the state of Oregon, even though I’ve never been out there before. I’m not sure what it is but I’ve always been really intrigued about living out there and Oregon State really impressed me a lot.”

Howard is a 247Sports composite four-star recruit and rated the nation's No. 146 overall prospect and No. 19 defensive lineman.

 If the bluechip defender does, in fact, choose Oregon State, he would be the highest-rated high school defensive prospect ever to choose the Beavers.

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Published
Andrew Nemec, SBLive Sports
ANDREW NEMEC, SBLIVE SPORTS

Andrew Nemec covers national high school recruiting and brings more than a decade of experience. Andrew hosts "Recruiting with Andrew Nemec" on ESPN-affiliate 1080 The FAN in Portland, Oregon. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Oregon.