247Sports

Alabama has stockpiled a surplus of offensive line talent in its 2014 recruiting class, but the team lost its grip on 4-star guard Viane Talamaivao Tuesday. The 6'3", 310-pound prospect switched his allegiances to USC days after visiting the Trojans, per 247Sports writer Scott Schrader.

Talamaivao, who stars at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., was in attendance for the team's victory over Stanford this past Saturday. He will use an official visit at USC in January.

Matt Logan, Talamaivao's high school coach, told USCfootball.com that USC's proximity to his home played a key role in the decision to decommit from Alabama.

"I have been told that Viane has de-committed from Alabama and has committed to USC," Logan said. "It had to do with him staying closer to family."

The dominant run-blocker took an official visit to Tuscaloosa earlier this month. Talamaivao, who initially committed to the Crimson Tide in May, attended Alabama's Nov. 9 game against LSU.

He is ranked the nation's No. 4 guard and California's eighth-best prospect by 247Sports. His received offers from Arizona, Cal, Wisconsin, Miami and UCLA, among others.

The flip likely impacts USC more than Alabama, as the Crimson Tide are loaded along the offensive front.

Nick Saban has secured commitments from 5-star offensive tackle Cameron Robinson, 4-star tackles Ross Pierschbacher and Dominick Jackson and the nation's top two center prospects in JC Hassenauer and Josh Casher.

The Trojans' 2014 class currently holds just 10 commits, but it's highlighted by a pair of outstanding guard prospects. Talamaivao joins fellow 4-star recruit Toa Lobendahn as the highest-ranked USC commits. The class is currently ranked 52nd nationally and sixth in the PAC-12 by 247Sports.

Interim head coach Ed Orgeron has done his best to audition for a permanent job at USC since taking over for Lane Kiffin. USC is riding a four-game win streak, which features the latest victory over fourth-ranked Stanford.

Talamaivao is the fifth player to commit to USC under Orgeron's watch, making up half of the current class.