The USC Trojans recovered a major recruiting miss from earlier this year when four-star tight end Tyler Petite announced his flip from Duke to USC on Twitter Friday.
After much thought, I've decided that it would be best for me to continue my football career at USC! Fight on Trojan Fam✌️
— Tyler Petite (@TylerPetite) December 12, 2014
As expected, the reaction across social media was joyous. After all, Petite was potentially the biggest miss of USC’s 2015 recruiting class when he chose Duke over the Trojans back in July. There are few positions more in need on USC’s roster than tight end. With immediate playing time a near guarantee for the player, it was considered a huge failure for the Trojan staff to lose out on such a prized recruit to the lowly Blue Devils. Over at Scout, Greg Biggins quoted Petite’s reason for flipping.
"You only get one chance to be a Trojan and I didn't want to pass that up," Petite on his decision to flip from #Duke to #USC
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) December 12, 2014
Meanwhile, Gerard Martinez, also of Scout, gave some insight into the process that brought Petite into the fold.
Tyler Petite stunned #USC fans by selecting #Duke in July. But he says the Trojan coaching staff never gave up and stayed after him.
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) December 12, 2014
Petite was mainly recruited by tight ends coach Marques Tuiasosopo. #USC has one scholarship TE on the depth chart going into 2015.
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) December 12, 2014
Tyler Donahue of Bleacher Report noted the accomplishments Petite has achieved this year.
4-star TE Tyler Petite just shared he's flipped his commitment from #Duke to #USC.
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) December 12, 2014
The All-American had 860 yards and 9 TDs as a senior.
While Josh Webb of USCfootball.com weight in on the get.
Huge get for #USC to flip Tyler Petite from #Duke. The Trojans have been needing TEs and he was a guy they shouldn't have lost to Duke.
— Thanos (@FightOnTwist) December 12, 2014
As for what’s next, the boys at USCfootball.com, Ryan Abraham and Web, hinted that tight end may not be a concern for USC much longer.
#USC tight end recruiting could go from famine to feast very quickly.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) December 12, 2014
USC is still going heavy after Chris Clark and Tyrone Wheatley. Fans clamoring for tight ends could soon get their wish.
— Thanos (@FightOnTwist) December 12, 2014
“@FightOn_n_GA @insidetroy Wow... It's going to go fast and furious soon isn't it?” Yes it will.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) December 12, 2014
Finally, here’s some reaction from fans and other observers on Twitter:
So #USC has flipped duke commit Tyler Petite oh happy days the #uscempire is in the rise again
— albertmarsh83 ?? (@albertmarsh83) December 12, 2014
@OriginalRichSC Tyler Petite is a Trojan? This staff is relentless...
— Marty Chargin (@MartyChargin) December 12, 2014
Duke losing Tyler Petite is absolutely brutal. That one hurts. It was a big win at the time.
— Varand Khachadouri (@VarandK) December 12, 2014
Tyler Petite leaving dukes 2015 class stings bad.
— Zac Lyon (@Z_Lyon741) December 12, 2014