Five-star USC bound

USC landed one of the nation's best players at any position when running back Marc Tyler (6-0, 215, 4.5) from Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian gave his pledge to USC on Monday.

The original plan for Tyler was to keep his committal a secret until tomorrow (Thursday June 15th) when he was going public with his decision.

The word leaked and spread as fast as a bonfire.

"I just felt more comfortable there (USC)," Tyler said. "They have great intensity."

"It reminded me of my Pop Warner days in Palmdale," Tyler said. "They work hard and have fun."

"Another reason I chose USC was that it was close to home," Tyler said. "My Dad (former UCLA and NFL star running back Wendell Tyler) played his whole career in California so I wanted to play in California."

You may think that one of the greatest Bruins of all-time would have reservations about his son playing against his old school's archrival.

"My Dad is excited for me," Tyler said. "We went to USC on Monday and met with everybody. He wants what's best for me."

"My Dad wants me to get a degree," Tyler said. "He knows that football won't always be around."

Tyler was outstanding as a junior rushing for 2,196 yards and 39 touchdowns. He is also an outstanding receiver out of the backfield catching 22 passes for 421 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

In the end USC had too much going for it, Tyler couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Other schools that offered Tyler were Notre Dame, UCLA, Washington, Cal, Arizona, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Oregon State, Tennessee and a host of other schools making Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell a prophet when he said to Rival.com in a very early interview about his talented player, "Before it is all said and done, Mark will be able to name his school. He will be one of those players who will get offers from everyone."

How right he was.

Great get for USC.