National expert: Washington 5-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.'s decision is '50-50' with USC, Oregon battling

Five-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. has long been thought to be a heavy USC lean, but 247Sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman says Oregon (and possibly others) are closing fast

Rainier Beach five-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. will announce his commitment Friday on CBS Sports HQ at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET. 

For the past several months, it has felt like he would be choosing USC over fellow finalists Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington.

But the 6-foot-5, 283-pound offensive tackle took a late visit to the University of Oregon and the Ducks have made a major push.

On Thursday night's "Recruiting with Andrew Nemec" on 1080 The FAN, 247Sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman explained why USC has generated so many predictions, but also indicated that it has become a 50-50 battle for Conerly's services - 50 percent to USC and 50 percent to the rest of the pack (although Oregon takes up the vast majority of that second 50 percent): 

Conerly would be the highest-rated offensive tackle pledge in Oregon football program history, and would be No. 2 for USC, behind only 2004 center Jeff Byers.