WSU football recruiting: Charles Watson, a three-star DB from Hawaii, de-commits

Washington State lost yet another verbal commitment in their 2017 recruiting class Sunday evening as Charles Watson, a defensive back prospect from Wahaiwa, Hawaii, announced on Twitter that he’s opening up his recruitment.

"After serious consideration from me, my family, and my coaches I have decided to decommit from Washington State University and open my recruitment back up," Watson, a three-star prospect, tweeted. "I will still take an official visit (to WSU) and I’m still considering WSU a top choice.

"I just want to make sure when I take my visits (that) I’m open minded and that I’m making the best decision for my future and really look at what every school has to offer."

Watson, who verbally committed to area recruiter Joe Salave’a and Washington State on local television in mid-July, took an official visit to Oregon State over the weekend. As noted in his tweet, Watson still plans on taking an official visit to the Palouse, though no date has been set for that trip.

In addition to WSU and OSU, Watson, ranked the top safety in Hawaii, holds offers from Colorado, Hawaii, Vanderbilt, Fresno State, San Diego State, San Jose State and UNLV.

Watson is the third highly regarded prospect to de-commit from the Cougars’ 2017 recruiting class in the last week, joining running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio and defensive tackle Lamonte McDougle. Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins also de-committed last month.

The Cougars now have three defensive back prospects committed in the current cycle — cornerbacks George Hicks, Zaire Webb and Tayari Venable, the Cougars’ longest-tenured commitment who also tripped to Oregon State over the weeekend.

The class is now ranked No. 61 in the 24/7 Sports Team Rankings and No. 8 in the Pac-12.