Tatupu’s Choice Sways Recruit

After USC linebacker Lofa Tatupu declared for the NFL draft on Friday, Eureka linebacker Rey Maualuga changed his college plans.

“I was really planning on going to Oregon to make my family happy,” said the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder. “It was close by and I liked the playing time there.”

Maualuga announced Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl his intention to attend USC.

“Now that Lofa is gone, it opens an opportunity for me to step in and contribute,” he said. “That’s what I want as a freshman.”

-- Thayer Evans