Oluwole Betiku to USC: Trojans Land 5-Star DE Prospect

Oluwole Betiku, one of the top defensive prospects in the 2016 recruiting class, decided Friday he's going to play college football at USC. 

Betiku broke the news on Twitter: 

"

Thankful to God, Family and football ,I will be a Trojan fighting on to greatness at USC #FightOn ✌️✌ ❗️❗️ pic.twitter.com/ZDt0WkroPM

— Oluwole Betiku (@Kingwole47) December 26, 2015"

Although he originally verbally committed to UCLA, Betiku chose the Trojans over Texas A&M, Florida State and Notre Dame, per Ryan Bartow of 247Sports. 

Betiku is a 5-star prospect, who rates as the No. 11 overall prospect for the 2016 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. The Junipero Serra High School (Calif.) star also checks in as the top weak-side defensive end and No. 1 recruit out of California.

The Nigeria native possesses a rare set of skills that allowed him to shoot up the rankings, becoming one of the nation's most coveted players in the process. His combination of size (6'3½", 240 lbs), athleticism and growing understanding of the game leaves no limit on his potential.

Betiku told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani in October that his journey is focused on creating a better life for his family.

"I came into the game of football just to make a way for my family," Betiku said. "Make a way in my life and just to find a good situation. My mom and dad are still in Nigeria. My sister is over there and my brother. I want to be the breadwinner of the family one day. I feel like sports was going to be the way."

A few weeks after that interview, the defender announced his decision to decommit from UCLA in order to reconsider his options.

"At this time I have decided to open up my recruiting," Betiku wrote. "It is in my best interest to take my time with the recruiting process and weigh my options carefully; it's a lifetime decision, and I pray God guides me to make the best decision. I'd like to thank UCLA coaching staffs. God bless."

Now that he's settled on a decision, he can focus on the future. While there's no doubt he still needs more development time in terms of learning the position's finer points to improve his technique, this is a signing based on what he could become with a couple of seasons of coaching.

This is the 16th commit in USC's 2016 class, and Betiku will be joining high school teammate C.J. Pollard, a 4-star safety, according to 247Sports.

All told, Betiku has come a long way in a short period of time as a football player. There will still be growing pains, but in an era when edge-rushers are among the most important players on the field, he's got a chance to become a major asset.