Vavae Malepeai to USC: 4-Star RB Decommits from Oregon, Joins Trojans

Running back Vavae Malepeai reportedly flipped his commitment from Oregon to USC on Wednesday during national signing day festivities.

Sam Spangler of KHON2 passed along the news, which the network's sports director, Rob DeMello, confirmed with the coveted recruit's parents.  

Malepeai is a 4-star prospect who rates just outside the top 200 nationally for the 2016 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. More importantly for the Trojans, he checks in as the No. 8 running back among the incoming group.

He powered his way into the Hawaiian record books during his senior season at Mililani High School. He leaves the state with the all-time rushing records in both yards (4,549) and touchdowns (71), according to USA Today.

Along with his rushing ability, it also sounds like USC is getting an all-around good person. Kalani Takase of ScoringLive passed along comments from Mililani athletic director Glenn Nitta about how Malepeai handled himself at the school:

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Besides being really humble, just the way he carries himself on campus, it's not like, 'I'm Vae Malepeai.' He's just another student on campus and he doesn't bring attention to himself. He's always courteous, always says hello, he's very respectful. I mean, on the field he's an animal, but off the field he's just a teddy bear. It's amazing just to see his demeanor off the field—quiet, unassuming—everything that you want in your student-athlete is how Vae is.

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The Trojans feature a crowded backfield depth chart, led by Ronald Jones II and Justin Davis, who both rushed for over 900 yards during the 2015 campaign. So Malepeai will need to fight for every ounce of playing time he receives at the outset.

That said, he's a high-upside prospect, and that talent should eventually shine through, even if it takes a season or two before he finds himself in a defined role. It's certainly a nice signing-day addition to the USC class, which 247Sports currently ranks just outside the top 10.