MKRob Sports

Boyd Anderson linebacker Kent Turene, a 6-foot-3, 230-pounder, verbally committed to the University of Southern Cal on Monday.

Turene chose the Trojans over more than 30 offers, including Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia and LSU.

“Man I feel excited and just relief,” Turene said. “It just came down to knowing where my heart was and that’s where it was at. I feel it’s a great opportunity athletically and academically.”

Turene, who plans to enroll early in January, said in the end USC stood above the rest.

“USC was just that much better,” he said. “I like the coaches. I loved everything about them. Coach [Lane] Kiffin’s been recruiting me since he was at Tennessee.”

Turene will make his first visit to USC at the end of the month. He had 140 tackles, 10 sacks, two interception returns and two forced fumbles for a 6-6 Boyd Anderson team last year. BA lost to Ely 34-26 in the regional semifinals.