4-star Anthony Beavers on his Oregon decommitment, Donte Williams and USC

ANAHEIM -- Anthony Beavers wants to be clear that his decision to decommit from Oregon earlier this week wasn't totally a response to USC hiring cornerbacks coach and key recruiter Donte Williams away from the Ducks.

He had been thinking about reopening his recruitment for a little while already, and he says he hadn't talked to Williams about it all before he announced it publicly Wednesday on Twitter.

But yeah, it certainly played a role for the 4-star athlete from Narbonne High School.

"Donte was a little factor. I had thought about it the week of National Signing Day," Beavers said, giving it thought before recalibrating his response. "... I would say Donte was kind of a big factor, especially with at Oregon both of my recruiters leaving. (Graduate assistant Tre Watson left Oregon for a full-time position at UNLV).

"[Williams and I] have a pretty good relationship. I've been knowing him since ninth grade. I believe that's when he offered me, in ninth grade -- we've been tight since then."

Many who follow recruiting were quick to connect the dots after Beavers' decommitment and wonder if that now meant USC was the favorite to land him.

Speaking Saturday during Premium's 7-on-7 showcase at Anaheim's Western High School, Beavers answered that question.

"It's a bonus that Donte's at USC, but I believe even before Donte came to 'SC, 'SC still had a powerful staff with coach Craig Naivar, Todd Orlando, those guys from the University of Texas," he said. "It's just dope seeing everything come together, especially because they have city guys all around their staff."