Some top high school football players undecided with signing day at hand

If college football recruiting was compared to a horse race, USC might typically be illustrated by Traveler busting loose from the middle of the pack and flying past the field down the stretch.

The Trojans have annually been fast closers on national signing day, even when NCAA sanctions limited the size of their class.

USC closed strong enough last year that it had the nation’s top-rated recruiting contingent, according to some assessments.

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But by the close of business Wednesday — the first day high school seniors can sign letters of intent for football — expect a new national recruiting champion. And a new leader in Los Angeles as well.

UCLA has 23 commitments and the top-rated class in the Pac-12 Conference, No. 10 nationally, according to Scout.com.

And if some last-minute announcements go their way — and they could — the Bruins’ ranking will only improve.

Here’s a look at five highly rated recruits who were, as of Tuesday evening, still considering UCLA, USC or both, and had not announced a choice:

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Mique Juarez, North Torrance High

Linebacker; 6 feet 2; 235 pounds.

Finalists: Alabama, Brigham Young, Mississippi, UCLA.

Juarez committed to USC last January but announced his decommitment the day after Steve Sarkisian was fired. Since then, it has been anyone’s guess where Juarez will play. Over the last month, his home has been a revolving door for Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference coaches making in-home visits. Getting Juarez, an Army All-American, would be a major coup for UCLA.

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Jack Jones, Long Beach Poly

Defensive back; 5-11, 175 pounds

Finalists: Alabama, Texas A&M, USC.

Jones made a list of his top five schools last spring and, surprisingly, did not include USC. Now, 11 months later, USC not only is in the mix but is the favorite to sign him. If Jones does pick the Trojans, it will be the third consecutive year USC has signed the top-rated player out of Long Beach Poly. Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster chose USC in 2014 and defensive back Iman Marshall followed last year.

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Francisco Perez, Baldwin Park

Offensive lineman; 6-3, 300 pounds

Finalists: California, UCLA.

Perez committed to California in July, but UCLA never stopped recruiting him. He made official visits to California and UCLA last month and there’s a good chance he will change his commitment Wednesday and sign with the Bruins.

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Boss Tagaloa, Concord De La Salle

Defensive lineman; 6-1; 295 pounds

Finalists: California, Michigan, UCLA, USC, Washington.

Tagaloa has been a longtime lean toward UCLA, but USC made his recruitment interesting when a late offer was extended last month. He has since made official visits with De La Salle teammate Devin Asiasi to Michigan, UCLA, USC and Washington.

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Devin Asiasi, Concord De La Salle

Tight end; 6-4; 265 pounds

Finalists: Michigan, UCLA, USC and Washington

Rarely, if ever, does a package deal come to fruition when players sign their letters. Though Asiasi made all of his official visits with De La Salle teammate Tagaloa, they might not sign with the same program. If they split up, it probably will mean that Asiasi has decided to stick with USC, which offered him a scholarship early in his junior season, and Tagaloa has gone elsewhere.