This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
East linebacker Christian Folau's tumultuous recruitment has come to an end. The four-star prospect confirmed to The Salt Lake Tribune his commitment to Oregon State University Saturday evening.
"I chose Oregon State because that was what my heart told me," Folau said. "At the end of the day, I have to do what's best for me. That's what I felt Oregon State was."
Folau originally committed to Stanford, which requires a minimum score of 25 on an ACT placement test for enrollment. After coming up short twice, the East Student Body President, who maintains a 3.9 cumulative grade-point average, de-committed on Oct. 2.
He then narrowed his sights on three schools: Wisconsin, Utah and Oklahoma State before Gary Andersen left Madison for Oregon State and Utah assistant coaches Kalani Sitake and Ilaisa Tuiaki joined the Beavers.
All roads pointed to Corvallis from there.
"The coaching staff was a huge factor," Folau said of Oregon State. "Gary Andersen recruited me since I was a freshman. Wherever he was at, he offered me a scholarship. I'm grateful for the opportunity he's given me to play at Oregon State."
Folau, who will serve an LDS mission, has not decided on an academic major, but mentioned interest in pursuing a business degree, medical degree, or physical therapy.
"It's in the Pac-12. It's a great environment," Folau said of Oregon State. "Coming into my official visit, in order to make my decision, was whether Oregon State was a great college town, which it is. I'm excited for the future."
According to Scout.com, Folau is the highest-rated prospected pledged to the Beavers from the Class of 2015. Folau becomes the second local prep athlete to commit to Oregon State. American Fork's Zach Katoa committed to the Beavers on Jan. 25.
-Trevor Phibbs
Twitter: @trevorphibbs