Roberts lands long-awaited USC offer

Rivals250 wide receiver Austin Roberts started his prep career in the state of Florida, and now resides in Carmel, Ind., but it was an offer from a West Coast school that caught his attention this past weekend.

"I have been really excited about USC," Roberts said. "That is a school I have been after since I was a freshman and sophomore back at [Tampa] Plant. I kind of gave up hope that they were going to recruit me because I had heard almost nothing until two weeks ago. I'm just very happy and excited about this offer."

The offer came through for Roberts on Saturday during his conversation with Trojan's assistant coach Mike Ekeler. He is scheduled to have a chat with USC head coach Lane Kiffin soon.

"I am supposed to talk with Coach Kiffin later this week and get some more details on where they see me at," Roberts said. "From what I heard from Coach Mike Ekeler, they see me as a bigger receiver they can move around and be a big red zone threat that they haven't had in a couple years."

Roberts has been aiming for a summer decision, and he has identified several top teams among the schools that have offered. With USC now involved, though, they have a chance to factor in and a visit to the school this summer is likely.

"I am definitely going to be out there because I go to LA every summer to see my mom's half of the family," Roberts said. "It is definitely a visit that I need to take to help me along with the process. I have my mother's love for California. I really love Southern California and everything it has to offer."

Earlier this spring Roberts identified Florida, Miami, Ohio State and Stanford as four schools that were near the top of his list. Additional schools are moving into that territory, but they remain top contenders.

"All four of those schools are definitely schools I am going to continue looking into," Roberts said. "I am going to go visit [Louisville] during the summer, so I am really excited about that one. I am going to play.

"I really want to go see Tennessee. I guess they are trending upwards, but I really want to see them before I say they are in the top group. Florida State I really want to get a chance to see, but it is going to be really hard because I'm not going down to Florida this summer."

With the offer, USC has now entered that conversation as well. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Roberts has wanted to make his decision during the summer, but is also not averse to going through the fall if a team hasn't solidified itself as the clear choice.