In the news:
Originally published January 30, 2012 at 7:42 PM | Page modified January 31, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Zach Banner on picking USC: "This is right"
Lakes' five-star lineman is latest top recruit to spurn Washington.
Seattle Times staff reporter
MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Zach Banner hugs his mother Vanessa after he announced at a news conference at his high school Monday that has chosen to play his college football at USC.
MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Lakes High School lineman Zach Banner dons a USC cap Monday after announcing he would sign a letter of intent with the Trojans. The 6-foot-9, 320-pound senior's other finalists were Oklahoma and Washington.
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LAKEWOOD — After thanking family, friends and coaches, Zach Banner made his announcement.
The 6-foot-9, 320-pound lineman sat at a table with three hats — Washington, Oklahoma and USC — and was flanked by Lakes football coach Dave Miller and basketball coach JoJo Rodriguez.
He held his right hand under the table, hiding another hat as he began to reveal what everyone had gathered to hear.
"I, Zach Banner, am taking my talents, and my efforts, to the University of Southern California," the senior said, as he put on a USC hat.
The U.S. Army All-American, rated a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, picked the Trojans over Washington and Oklahoma, a decision he said just felt right.
"It's just that feeling," Banner said. "I can't really describe it. I think all the other recruits that commit and sign, they understand what it's like to commit and just get that feeling that this is right. If I didn't have the feeling, I would have told you guys, 'Hey, I'm waiting.' "
Banner is the fourth of five Seattle Times Blue Chip recruits to spurn the hometown Huskies, joining Puyallup lineman Joshua Garnett (Stanford), Mariner running back KeiVarae Russell (Notre Dame) and Lakes receiver Cedric Dozier.
Dozier and Garnett were both at Banner's announcement Monday. Dozier, who is committed to California, is expected to announce Tuesday whether he will stick with the Golden Bears or flip to Washington State.
Banner said he got a good feeling from all three schools, but before he went to bed Sunday, he decided, "I want to be a Trojan."
"It's hard to pick one," Banner said. "It's like a lot of different types of ice cream. You just don't know what to choose that day. You just choose the best one for you."
After making the announcement and going through interviews and handshakes, Banner hopped off the stage and found his mother, Vanessa, for a long, emotional hug.
"I'm excited and ready to start this new chapter with him," she said.
Once the celebration ended, Banner turned his attention to basketball and the Lancers' game against Enumclaw. He said he has talked to Trojans basketball coach Kevin O'Neill and plans to continue competing as a two-sport athlete in college.
Throughout the recruiting process, Banner's family urged him to make a decision he felt was best for his future. He was patient. He waited until it felt right. He found what he was looking for at USC, a program that could contend for a national championship next season.
"I found my family, and I'm ready to stick with it," he said.
Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com
