Max Redfield, the nation’s No. 3-rated safety, decommitted from the USC Trojans Sunday after their 62-51 loss to the Oregon Ducks.
Redfield of Mission Viejo, Calif., began to have second thoughts several weeks ago after his official visit to Notre Dame in early October and loved the experience.
The country’s No. 37 player overall according to ESPN 150, is 6-foot-3 and has 195-pound frame. He announced his decision through his Facebook page.
“Going back on my word is something I never imagined doing and it hurts me to do it but in the end I feel is necessary to do in order to decide what college I want to go to and in the end what path I want to take in life,” Redfield wrote. “For many different reasons I am choosing to decommit from USC and re-open recruiting. I am sorry to the people I might let down or hurt in this decision but it is a decision that is crucial for my future athletically, academically, and spiritually.”
One of the schools that is not sorry for Redfield’s decision is Oregon. Earlier last week the star told Duck Sports Authority he would take an official visit to the school after his high school football season ends.
“I would still like to visit Oregon,” he said. “I would go up there with an open mind.”
Redfield will also take an official visit to the University of Washington, but will keep the Trojans as a viable option.
Redfield had two interceptions last year playing safety for Mission-Viejo, but also played wide receiver, catching 32 passes for 528 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. He said he enjoys playing safety much more than receiver.
“It’s kind of a feeling where you think the ball is going to go, reading the quarterback,” Redfield said in an interview with Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times in August. “I feel I have the certain skills to do that. You’ve got to be aggressive. You have to have a chip on your shoulder. You’re in the back of the defense, so you’re the last line of defense. Everybody is in front of you. You order them around and make sure everything is in check. Then it’s make a play on the ball.”
Even with the potential loss of Redfield, the Trojans still have the No. 1-ranked recruiting class. They are now down to 17 commitments for their 2013 recruiting class.
