Four-star lineman picks USC
Nico Falah pulled out one hat from a bag he received at The Opening, it was a hat from USC, and the Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco offensive tackle answered the question right there.
"Next year I'll be attending the University of Southern California," Falah said during a news conference at his school on Wednesday.
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Falah, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound four-star prospect, committed to USC over about 18 other offers including many from the Pac-12.
Oregon was also a serious contender in his recruitment and according to reports UCLA had backed off the four-star standout in the last week or so but the Bruins had been involved for a long time.
Falah, rated No. 12 at offensive tackle in the 2013 class and No. 119 overall by Rivals.com, had many suitors but for a long time he knew USC was the place.
Wearing a USC shirt during the last day of The Opening, Falah said at that event he was still open but many people believed the Trojans led in his recruitment for some time.
"I felt right there, my heart felt right there," Falah said. "I knew I could be successful there and it's the place for me.
"I can be the best player I can be there and hopefully win a national championship."
Playing for USC offensive line coach James Cregg was also a draw for Falah, rated as the No. 14 recruit in the California state rankings by Rivals.com.
"Coach Cregg is a cool guy," Falah said.
"Once you get to know him he's a cool dude. He likes his linemen and he's a really good coach and he can get me to the level I want to be."
Falah is committed to USC but the four-star said he plans to take all five official visits. He said he's talked with Trojans' coach Lane Kiffin about it and Kiffin understood the situation.
The St. John Bosco prospect said he'll probably visit the four Pac-12 schools in California and Oregon but nothing has been settled yet.
Sitting only feet away from his parents, who were leaning to UCLA, Falah made his decision and is not looking back. Falah's parents supported his decision and that mattered most.
"It was hard," Falah said. "They supported me and that's why I love them. I'm a Trojan."