Gorman’s Jalen Grimble follows cousin’s lead, commits to USC

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Sunday, May 2, 2010 | 6:34 p.m.

Jalen Grimble could have played college football for any university in the country.

The Bishop Gorman High senior-to-be defensive lineman had 23-plus scholarship offers, receiving interest from power schools such as LSU, Nebraska, Alabama and others.

But for Grimble, who is rated as a four-star prospect by recruiting website Rivals.com in its evaluating system of five stars, nothing beats the opportunity to continue playing with his cousin.

Grimble gave a verbal commitment to USC on Saturday prior to the Trojans' spring game. It’s the same school his cousin, Gorman tight end Xavier Grimble, signed with three months ago.

The cousins have been teammates since their days of youth football while playing for Jalen Grimble’s dad, Jerry Grimble.

While several assumed Jalen Grimble would follow in Xavier Grimble’s footsteps, the family stressed the decision wouldn’t be based strictly on family ties. They made unofficial visits to Utah, UCLA, UNLV, Oregon, LSU and Nebraska in being as thorough as possible in evaluating the options.

The best option, however, was apparently USC. And being coached by Monte Kiffin, the Trojans’ respected defensive coordinator, was something that immediately attracted the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Jalen Grimble.

“Having a defensive coordinator like Monte Kiffin is a player's dream to play for,” he said. “I couldn’t turn down a coach like that.”

Xavier Grimble, the nation’s top-rated tight end by Rivals for the class of 2010, said he didn’t pressure his cousin into the decision, but he is glad they will continue their careers together.

“It’s pretty amazing to think about,” Xavier Grimble said. “We have been playing together since we were tackling each other in the den as kids. We’ve won Pop Warner titles and two high school state championships together. We are already talking about winning a national championship.”

Jalen Grimble, who had 59 tackles and eight sacks last fall, was also impressed with a trip to Nebraska’s spring game two weeks ago. It appeared to be a two-school race between USC and Nebraska. Verbal commitments are non-binding and don't become official until national signing day in February 2011.

“I liked everything about (USC),” Jalen Grimble said. “USC is just a great place. …The coaches were fired up about having the both of us.”

The same holds true for the Grimble family. It will be an easy drive on Interstate 15 to watch the cousins play on Saturdays.

“It was his choice,” Xavier Grimble said. “I wanted him to make his decision and enjoy (the process). He was going to pick what was best for him. That happened to be USC.”