Carlisle makes weekend switch

Amir Carlisle has made the switch.

The longtime Stanford commit has changed his pledge to USC after he and his family visited with the Trojans this weekend and saw everything they needed to be sure it was the perfect fit.

Carlisle, a four-star running back from Sunnyvale (Calif.) Kings Academy, had been committed to the Cardinal since June 2009. Throughout his recruitment, though, the 5-foot-10, 181-pound prospect kept his options open and in these final weeks was deciding whether Stanford, USC or Notre Dame would be the right spot.

The visit to USC was crucial in Carlisle's final decision. He'll play running back for the Trojans and can also be used as a wide receiver because the four-star prospect is so versatile on offense.

"He'll be used as a running back, he'll be in the running back room with coach (Kennedy) Pola and it's a great fit for Amir overall - academically, athletically, spiritually and socially," said Carlisle's father, Duane.

"He's excited about the opportunity to play running back there. Kennedy Pola is an outstanding running backs coach.

"The tradition of running backs at USC, that goes without saying. The offensive scheme is great. It's a pro-style offense. Amir is not a big, downhill back, he's a back that can run between the tackles and he's also a back that can move all over the field because of his versatility and pass-catching ability."

Carlisle, one of the better offensive players at the Under Armour game, had a tough decision to make. Stanford was a longtime favorite and he had been committed for more than a year but with coach Jim Harbaugh leaving, that had to play a role in his decision-making process.

He had an outstanding time on his visit to Notre Dame and the Irish were certainly involved as well. But USC had all the right things for Carlisle and his family and in the end that was the best fit for him in all facets.

"Amir went on an official recruiting trip back in the fall by himself to USC," Duane Carlisle said. "He wanted us to go down and this past weekend USC had a lot of their commits in and a lot of their highly-recruited prospects so that we could get a full picture and get our thoughts on the school and so forth.

"We knew everything we needed to know about Stanford because Amir was committed to them for a year and a half. My wife went to Notre Dame with him so that trip went great. He said, 'Hey dad, I'd like if you guys would come down on a trip with me (to USC),' so I could get the whole perspective.

"We saw everything. They did a great job lining up all the right people to talk to. They got him all the necessary information to make his decision."