Visit crucial for Cope-Fitzpatrick
It has become abundantly clear to Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick that USC is the place for him. This weekend's official visit was what he needed to be sure.
"I'm pretty much ready to sign today," Cope-Fitzpatrick said.
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"I didn't know that until this weekend. I had a lot of questions and (Saturday) I sat down with my position coach, coach (Justin) Mesa, and we talked for about four hours. He answered all my questions and there is no question I want to be at USC."
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end from Rocklin (Calif.) Whitney had also been considering Oregon, UCLA and Colorado but after his trip to USC, Cope-Fitzpatrick said his recruitment is pretty much finished and he plans to sign with the Trojans.
There is almost no doubt left that USC is the best fit.
"It was a great trip," Cope-Fitzpatrick said. "It was one of the better ones I had in terms of being able to see everything and just the comfort level I had down there.
"What I'm thinking is it's a great, great place and it's pretty obvious to me and my family that it's the place I want to be. USC is definitely a great place and I can't wait to get there and start playing. I can't wait to start my career."
Cope-Fitzpatrick has already visited the three other Pac-12 programs that were heavily pursuing him and the four-star said he doesn't plan to take any trips next weekend before National Signing Day.
His teammate at Rocklin Whitney, four-star quarterback, Jake Rodrigues, has committed to Oregon but the Ducks - and every other team - is seemingly out of his recruitment after the visit to USC.
Rivals.com rates Cope-Fitzpatrick as the fourth-best tight end and No. 156 prospect in the 2012 class. He moved up after having a superb week at the Under Armour game over the holidays.