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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Osa Masina's journey as a football player took him and the Brighton High football team to the Class 5A state semifinals in 2014.
Now it will take him somewhere new—to sunny Southern California.
The 6-foot-4 Masina committed to the University of Southern California, the 5-star linebacker announced in a school assembly Friday.
"I just felt like it was the right place for me," Masina said moments after putting on a USC hat. "I went down there four or five times, enjoyed it every time. I loved the coaches and all the players on the team. They are all great guys."
The 235-pound linebacker chose USC over crosstown rival UCLA and Arizona State in his final three.
Masina totaled 94 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and an interception as a senior, all career-highs in his three years at Brighton.
Masina also moonlighted as a running back, finishing his career with 2,947 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. He even threw three touchdown passes during his high school career.
Now he's looking forward to joining his future teammates in Los Angeles.
"It's a lot of stress off my shoulders," Masina said. "It's definitely a big sigh of relief. But at the same time, it's awesome. I'm excited."
Like all incoming college freshman, Masina cannot sign until National Signing Day on Feb. 4.
Click the video below for highlights of Masina's high school career.