http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1396890-4-star-safety-max-redfield-opens-recruitment-will-more-usc-commits-follow-suit

The USC Trojans' No. 1 ranked recruiting class took a hit on Sunday night as Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) announced his decommitment.

The separation of Redfield from USC began weeks ago, when the ESPN 150 athlete took an official visit to Notre Dame and was blown away by the experience. Redfield posted the news of his decommitment on his Facebook page:

"Going back on my word is something I never imagined doing and it hurts me to do it but in the end I feel is necessary to do in order to decide what college I want to go to and in the end what path I want to take in life. For many different reasons I am choosing to decommit from USC and re-open recruiting. I am sorry to the people I might let down or hurt in this decision but it is a decision that is crucial for my future athletically, academically, and spiritually."

Redfield added that he would not accept media requests for interviews.

The country's No. 37 player overall and No. 2 athlete will take an official visit to Washington on Nov. 9 and likely will schedule an official visit to Oregon as well. Redfield attended USC's home game against Oregon on Saturday, but this decision is something that has been gaining momentum since the Notre Dame visit in early October.

While the Trojans remain an option for Redfield and other Pac-12 programs will push for his commitment, it's likely that everyone is chasing the Fighting Irish at this point.

USC now has 17 commitments in its 2013 recruiting class.