SAN MARCO, Calif. - At 6-feet-8, 340 pounds, Brice Schwab never sold himself short.

How could he?

The 2008 Moniteau graduate spurned offers from Division II and III schools because his goal was to play Division I college football.

"He had the ability and he had the size," Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell recalled.

What he didn't have was the grades.

"My SAT scores, my GPA they weren't Division I clearing house eligible," Schwab said. "If I wanted to play major college ball, I had to do something about it."

That something was travel across the country, to Palomar Junior College in California, to upgrade his academics and his game.

Now weighing 320 pounds, Schwab has verbally committed to the University of Southern California as a right tackle and could step in as a starter for the Trojans in 2010.

A first-team all-conference tackle for Palomar's 8-3 team last fall, Schwab will play for the Comets again in 2009. He will transfer to USC in December and be there for spring football in 2010.

"I've talked to (USC head coach) Pete Carroll a few times and he's hoping I can step in and start when I get there," Schwab said. "They're losing five starting linemen after this season."

Schwab will have three years to play two seasons at USC.

"I moved all the way out here because I wanted to play football," he said. "I rededicated myself to it. I just went crazy in the weight room, did speed drills with the coaches anything to improve my game."

Schwab was recruited by West Virginia, Pitt, Penn State, Akron and Liberty as a senior at Moniteau, but wasn't in a position academically to accept any of those offers.

Now he's chosen USC over offers from Baylor, Florida State, Arkansas, South Carolina, Washington and Southern Mississippi.

"I think Brice realized he made a mistake in high school and went out to California determined to correct it," Campbell said. "I'm pleased things have worked out this way for him, but I'm not surprised.

"When I saw him over Christmas, his arms had definition, his belly was gone and his biceps were as big as my thigh. He looked really, really good."

Palomar played in a junior college bowl game last season and Schwab did a solid job on a defensive end who is committed to the University of Washington.

"My coach went to a couple of clinics with my films and interest picked up," Schwab said. "I chose USC because of the football tradition there and their business school, because that's my major.

"USC football is one of the top programs in the country. A kid from Moniteau suiting up for USC? Yeah, it's crazy, but it was a wake-up call for me, coming out here."

Schwab didn't find Palomar, the Comets found him. His name was in a number of Division I football databases because of his size and potential. A member of the Palomar coaching staff called him and extended an offer.

Palomar has a reputation for sending football players on to bigger things. Six members of last year's team have moved on to Texas-El Paso, Nevada, Tulsa, Arkansas, Old Dominion and Eastern Michigan, respectively.

Overall, 30 Palomar players from 2008 have moved on or will be moving on to four-year schools. Buffalo Bills defensive end Corey Mace is the 26th Palomar alumnus to reach the NFL.

"Brice has the ability to be dominant," Campbell said. "He played both sides of the ball for us, but offensive tackle was going to be his future..

"Our playoff game at Brookville two years ago, when we were decided underdogs, Brice almost single-handedly won us that game."

Schwab's goals in football aren't finished yet.

"I have to get (to USC) and succeed," he said. "I want to put my high school on the map, definitely."