Rivals100 QB picks Stanford
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. -- Back and forth K.J. Costello went, debating his three favorites, reviewing the pros and cons
and agonizing over a decision that could help determine his football future.
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Santa Margarita Catholic four-star quarterback. He had plenty of other offers,
other schools to choose from, other paths to take.
His mother went to USC for a time before transferring to San Diego State. Costello admitted he was wowed by Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
These three were the last ones standing and on Thursday the second-best
pro-style quarterback in the class announced his commitment to the Cardinal
during a ceremony at his high school.
"I will be playing my college football career at Stanford University," Costello
said.
Weighing his decision for months and thinking he might even commit much earlier
than this, Costello looked at all the factors, careful considerations because
this decision -- especially for quarterbacks -- is so important.
USC has tremendous depth at his position but not a clear answer after Cody Kessler leaves. Costello saw an opening there. Stanford, in some ways, is
in a similar situation with some untested but skilled backups waiting for their
opportunities. Anywhere Costello decided on, there would be serious competition
for the starting job.
Even Michigan remained a contender late because Costello loved his visit there
last offseason and recent conversations with Harbaugh greatly impressed him.
Turning down an opportunity to play for a former NFL coach with the chops of
Harbaugh was difficult.
It needed to be done because Costello fell in love with Stanford and knew he
found his future home. The four-star said he knew for sure about two weeks ago
that's where he would commit.
"I felt like I would have been 100 percent comfortable at any three of those
schools," Costello said. "I feel like the hardest one, the one I would have
regretted most passing up was Stanford. That's what sealed the deal. The No. 1
academic institution, an incredible degree and they're up-and-coming on the
football side. It's something I really wanted to be a part of."
The four-star quarterback, who's ranked No. 25 overall in the 2016 class by
Rivals.com, threw for 3,123 yards with 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last
season.
He had limited resources at wide receiver this past season but in 7-on-7 events
Costello has been spectacular throwing to four-stars Tyler Vaughns,
Dylan Crawford (who has transferred to Santa Margarita for his senior
football season), Trevon Sidney and others.
Will some of those guys be influenced by his decision? Crawford, one of the top
receivers in the state, has talked about playing alongside Costello in college
and this decision cannot hurt those chances. Crawford said Thursday he will
seriously consider Costello's choice in his own but it won't be the only factor.
Costello will do everything in his power to bulk up Stanford's recruiting class
at wide receiver, a position of tremendous strength in California this
recruiting cycle -- and other offensive positions as well. Like the quarterback
group in 2015 was one of the best in at least a decade in California, the wide
receivers have a chance to be that incredible this time around.
Others Costello said he will work on include four-star tight end Kaden Smith from Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus and four-star receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe out of Georgia.
"It's no joke (Crawford) and I have been talking the last two months, we've
become best friends," Costello said. "We can't wait to kick it off in the season
but there's no doubt I'm going to be in his ear. I'm also going to let him make
his own decision.
"I'm not going to say where he's going but I hope he's in the Cardinal family."
Like with many top prospects, Stanford was patient recruiting Costello. He had
taken visits there but still did not receive an offer. In some ways, when the
offer finally did arrive that style of recruitment made it even more special.
Costello has found his next home and he could not be happier.
"It's been about two months where I could see myself at any of those three
schools," Costello said. "It's been a hard two months but the toughest one for
me to pass up was Stanford and that's what made the decision."
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