By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Smyrna, TN

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, a four-star prospect from Tennessee, announced that he will showcase his skills at the collegiate level with the USC Trojans.

The 6-0, 190-pound Ramsey said Trojans coach Lane Kiffin, a former coach at the University of Tennessee, was one of the primary reasons that he gave his commitment to the USC.

"He's a chill person outside of the football field," said Ramsey, a four-star prospect from Brentwood Academy said. "You can definitely get along with him but he's going to push his kids and get the best out of his kids."

Ramsey said he doesn't believe rumors being thrown at Kiffin, who left Tennessee in 2010 to join the Trojans.

"He's a loving person despite all the rumors you hear in Tennessee with him. I don't feel like any of it is true. I love how he is. I love the man he is. I can't wait to play for him," he added.

Explaining his decision, Ramsey said he long felt wanted by the Trojans, especially by secondary coach Marvin Sanders.

"Coach Sanders told me all the time that I was the No. 1 corner on his board," Ramsey said. "That meant a lot to me, especially coming all the way out from California to Tennessee to get Tennessee's top player. That meant a lot to me. Usually, it doesn't happen like that so I'm very, very grateful to be in that situation."

Before making his decision, Ramsey also contemplated on staying close to home by playing for Vanderbilt, and not the Vols.

"It came down to USC and Vanderbilt," Ramsey said. "It was very tough for me. It was a long process. Vanderbilt is a great school. It's like USC in a lot of ways for how prestigious it is, the academics and the networking and things like that. It really came down to my second visit to USC."

Despite giving his commitment to the Trojans, Lamont Ramsey said his son won't shut down the recruiting process.

"I think he will probably still look around a little bit," Lamont Ramsey said. "He's always said he wants to take his visits. How we look at it is he's earned the right to do that. If he wants to take them and other schools are willing to let him come, we're open to it."

But this is not a problem with Kiffin and USC as they allow commitments to take other official visits.

 

 

Top Prep Cornerback Jalen Ramsey Commits to Southern Cal