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KJ Costello Commits to Stanford Over USC and Michigan

By Alicia de Artola

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Four-star quarterback KJ Costello announced his commitment Stanford Thursday, spurning USC and Michigan for the chance to join David Shaw’s Cardinal.

The Trojans seemed to possess a strong chance at landing the player, given family connections to USC, but ultimately the strong push by Stanford won out. The fact that USC signed two four-star quarterbacks, Ricky Town and Sam Darnold, in the 2015 class may have also played a role in Costello’s choice to avoid a logjam in Los Angeles.

Stanford did not take a quarterback in this year’s class, so Costello will have a chance to start for the Cardinal sooner than later, once Kevin Hogan departs after this season.

Costello is one of the most highly-rated quarterback in the 2016 class. Ranked as the No. 4 recruit in the state of California by 247Sports, the Rancho Santa Margarita prospect has earned a spot among the top five pro-style quarterbacks in every major recruit ranking service.

RELATED: After missing on 2016 quarterbacks, USC should be all-in on Tate Martell in 2017

Though the Trojans likely won’t be adding another gifted quarterback in this class having missed out on Costello, the position is still a strength. Already, USC looks set to enter 2016 with a former No. 1 pro-style recruit in Max Browne along with Town, who was the No. 6 pro-style quarterback in 2015, and Darnold, who was the No. 5 dual-threat available.

More importantly, losing Costello actually gives the the Trojans the license to go all in on major targets for the 2017 class, specifically Tate Martell, the Nevada dual-threat who turned heads as a sophomore at Bishop Gorman.

The Trojans’ 2016 class currently boasts 4-star linebackers Mique Juarez and Daelin Hayes, along with 4-star defensive end Isaac Garcia.

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