Linebacker Lokeni Toailoa commits to UCLA over USC

UCLA defeated USC – for now -- in a recruiting battle for Rialto Carter High linebacker Lokeni Toailoa, who announced his verbal commitment to the Bruins on Monday.

Toailoa’s father wore a UCLA hat and a USC shirt to the ceremony.

“I was torn between the two, I couldn’t really decide,” Toailoa said. “I woke up this morning and wanted to be a Bruin.”

Toailoa said he brought a USC hat to the ceremony in case he changed his mind.

The 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker is considered a top prospect in the 2016 class.

Toailoa said he felt student life at UCLA fit him best.

“Football is a business and coaches come and go,” he said. “I took coaches out of the equation and could still see myself as a Bruin.”

Toailoa can sign a letter of intent on Feb. 3, 2016.

Questions about USC? Email me at [email protected] or tweet @LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.