National Signing Day 2011: Hobbi Spurns the 'Devils And Commits to the Trojans

The belly of the beast has been fed once again, courtesy of the Grand Canyon State. Cyrus Hobbi, the sixth-ranked offensive guard (Scout.com), announced that he will play his college ball in Los Angeles for the USC Trojans. 

Arizona State lost Hobbi, the seventh Arizona prospect since 2007 to sign with USC. 

Eventually, all of the tradition, the Heisman Trophy winners, the National Championships and ability to propel his skills to the next level were the deciding factor between USC and ASU. 

But admittedly so, the recruiting process for Hobbi was a rollercoaster. “After each official visit, I felt like I wanted to commit to that school,” Hobbi said.

Hobbi then stated, “Once I walked into the L.A. Coliseum, I knew I wanted to be a Trojan.”  

The luster of the bright lights of Los Angeles lured another Arizona product to cross state lines. Certainly, the “Hollywood atmosphere” helps with Hobbi, as the incoming freshman is looking to pursue a degree in theatre and has aspirations of one day acting on the big screen.

However, the Trojans might prefer if Hobbi focuses on the big picture of becoming another elite Arizona recruit turned superstar NFL prospect similar to Everson Griffen and Kristofer O’Dowd.

In the end, the best athletes always want to compete at the highest level, and USC offers that, while ASU is still striving to achieve similar status.

Although, the day did not start off on the right foot for Dennis Erickson and Sun Devil fans. Even before Hobbi’s announcement, Gionni Paul, a one-time verbal commit for the Sun Devils, switched his verbal commitment to the University of Miami, FL.  

Paul was the only linebacker prospect the Sun Devils looked to sign until the switch to “The U”. Paul opted to stay close to home, as he is from Lakeland, FL.

For maroon and gold fans, unfortunately, a similar decision making process to stay close to home was not in the cards for Cyrus Hobbi.