USC secured its eighth verbal commitment for the 2007 recruiting class Thursday, when highly-rated running back Marc Tyler (Westlake Village, Calif.-Oaks Christian) chose the Trojans over both his father's alma mater and his roommate's college of choice.

Tyler, the son of former UCLA and NFL running back Wendell Tyler, has lived with Oaks Christian teammate and Notre Dame commit Jimmy Clausen throughout high school. The two helped Oaks Christian to a 13-0 record in 2005, with Tyler rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 39 touchdowns. But Tyler chose to go his own way when picking a college.

"Coach [Pete] Carroll talked to me after my freshman year and told me he wanted me then," Tyler told ESPN.com. "I just feel like it's the right time to announce now."

Tyler made his decision public Thursday, but he had told Clausen of his decision earlier in the week. "He was a little mad at first, but he knows it will be a good decision for me," Tyler said.

One of the country's most sought-after running back recruits, the 6-foot, 215-pound Tyler chose the Trojans over Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA and Oregon.

"One of the things that's interesting about his choice," said Scouts Inc. recruiting director Tom Luginbill, "is that USC signed three running backs this season -- Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable and Emmanuel Moody -- and Johnson could play as a true freshman this fall. That tells me a lot about (Tyler's) competitive makeup. He doesn't care who is there. He thinks he's good enough."

USC's reputation for letting true freshmen earn playing time, in fact, might have contributed to Tyler's decision.

"They've proven over the last few years that it doesn't matter if you're a senior or a freshman, they're going to play the best player," Luginbill said. "That really helps them in recruiting, because kids know it's open across the board."

Tyler joins seven other early commitments to USC, six of whom are from California. Running back Broderick Green (Little Rock, Ark.-Pulaski Academy) is the only out of state prospect to commit thus far. At least three of USC's early commitments -- Tyler, linebacker Christopher Galippo and offensive tackle Martin Coleman -- are expected to be among the ESPN 150 when rankings are released next month.

I would've gone to michigan though.

Another great get for the Trojans. He falls somewhere between the 3rd and 5th best RB in this class IMO.