How surprising was it Manti Te’o, the top-ranked linebacker in the nation, chose Notre Dame over USC on signing day?

“I was shocked about Te’o, absolutely floored,” said Greg Biggins, recruiting director for ESPN RISE. “For three years it was either USC or BYU. When he eliminated BYU everyone thought it was a done deal, he was going to USC.”

And then there’s this: While covering the UCLA-USC basketball game Wednesday night, I heard Te’o informed Bruins offensive coordinator Norm Chow during his official visit he wouldn’t be attending UCLA. Chow, the recruiter assigned to Te’o and a fellow member of the LDS Church, then supposedly told Te’o that that was fine as long as he didn’t go to USC.

Who knows what influence the alleged conversation could have had on Te’o. Either way, signing day might have heightened USC’s rivalries with both the Bruins and Fighting Irish. What a day.

More from the USC blog:

• USC-UCLA recruiting poll: Who had the better day?
• USC football recruiting: Complete list for the Class of 2009
• USC football recruiting: Randall Carroll chooses UCLA
• USC football recruiting: Carroll on Te’o
• USC football: Pinkard gets sixth year
• Matt Barkley talks about the USC quarterback race
• USC football: Big prospect might consider CFL
• USC football recruiting: Pete Carroll talks signing day
• USC football recruiting: Still waiting on Randall Carroll
• USC-UCLA recruiting poll: Who’s having the better day?