Defensive back Marlon Character flips commitment from USC to Auburn

Class of 2016 defensive back Marlon Character of Atlanta has changed his commitment from South Carolina to Auburn.

“After careful reconsideration and talking it over with my family I’ve decided forgo my commitment to South Carolina and take my talent as well as further my education at Auburn University,” Character, a senior at Grady High School in Atlanta, confirmed on Twitter.

“Ever since the beginning Auburn has been pushing for me,” Character told Rivals’ Woody Wommack. “They love me and I love them and I just feel like it’s the place for me.”

The 6-foot, 180-pound Character committed to USC on July 25 after the school held its first pool party for prospects. He was recruited by Lorenzo Ward.

At the time of his commitment to USC, Character said: “It just felt right when I went there. It just seemed like Coach Ward really wanted me and will do a lot of big things with me as a freshman. I have a lot of trust in him and I just want to go down there and make some big plays when I get there.”

Character and Montgomery, Ala., linebacker P.J. Blue have decommitted from USC since Steve Spurrier announced his resignation last month. Blue decommitted the day Spurrier resigned.

Character was favoring Auburn before committing to USC and continued to visit there after pledging to the Gamecocks. The day Spurrier resigned, Character tweeted, “No comment.”

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Character is a three-star recruit, the No. 335 overall prospect in the country and the 19th-best safety.

USC now has 15 commitments for the 2016 class. J.J. Givens of Mechanicsville, Va., is the lone pledge slated to play defensive back for USC.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 2:42 PM.