With
the cameras rolling, Serra receiver and defensive back Marqise Lee
delivered his big announcement on where he will play his college
football.
"I'm staying in my backyard. I'm going to
USC," Lee told Fox Sports News Wednesday on National Signing Day,
pulling the USC cap on his head over the Oregon and Miami caps.
Lee rejoins former Serra teammate Robert Woods at USC and will
attend with Serra receiver George Farmer, who had committed to the
Trojans in November.
All three are close friends, and the trio won a CIF and state title last season during Lee's junior campaign..
"It's going to be amazing," Lee said of reuniting with his
teammates. "I enjoyed playing with them my sophomore and junior year. To
play with them another time is going to be great."
Lee said Woods and Farmer didn't put too much pressure on him.
"They didn't bother as much because they went through the process. They knew how tough it was," Lee said.
Lee made his announcement with five family members standing behind him.
Lee has shown a
propensity to score on either side of the ball, playing defensive back
almost exclusively as a junior before stepping up for Woods on offense
this past season. Lee is also a lockdown defender in basketball with a
remarkable jumping ability.
"I'll probably
play offense, but if I have to play defense, I will," Lee said.
"Whatever gets me on the field quicker. I'm comfortable with offense or
defense. It doesn't matter to me.
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While Inglewood linebacker Jaswha James had firmly committed
to Oregon State, Inglewood receiver Patrick Onwuasor entered the school library
for their signing ceremony a bit conflicted.
Onwusaor wore a University of Arizona T-shirt, a University
of Miami cap and had an Arizona State cap attached to his belt.
Then he made it official in front of the cameras.
"Patrick Onwuasor, University of Arizona," Onwuasor said,
trading his Miami hat for an Arizona cap.
Onwuasor sifted through 21 offers during a dizzying process,
including Miami, Arizona State, Nebraska, Washington, USC, Utah and Boise
State. Onwuasor said there were endless texts, phone calls and emails.
"At first, this was fun, then it got heavy," Onwuasor said. "I
prayed over it with my family and my coaches. Coach Thomas, Coach Ali and Coach
Bass helped me through it."
Onwuasor had taken trips to Nebraska, Arizona, Hawaii, Miami
and Arizona State. Onwuasor took his Miami trip with Lee, Farmer, Moala and
former Narbonne and Harbor College star Byron Moore.
Onwuasor liked that Arizona offered him a chance to play
receiver.
"Compared to other schools, Miami is on a chart by itself,"
Onwusaor said of the recruiting trip. "But I really liked Coach Stoops and
Coach Nichols at Arizona. Coach Nicholas and I had a great connection. I feel
it's the best fit for me."
*NOTE: Complete South Bay list to come later today.
