ektogamat/Flickr, Graphic: Jenn Fong/Neon Tommy)

Niklas and his 6-foot-7 frame will instead be heading to South Bend after he chose USC's long-time rival, Notre Dame, Wednesday morning.

The former Servite Friar in nearby Anaheim played tight end and defensive lineman. The Los Angeles Times' Lineman of the Year originally wanted to attend Stanford but looked at other schools after he said he wasn't accepted by admissions.

Niklas is the second Los Angeles Times' Lineman of the Year in a row to choose Notre Dame after Justin Utupo did the same last year.

He is listed as only a three-star recruit at tight end by ESPN. But Scout and Rivals project Niklas as an offensive tackle and a four-star recruit. Rivals lists him as the No. 8 tackle.

For more information on high school recruits potentially choosing USC, follow our National Signing Day coverage.

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