[OutsiderFan]

Look at the depth at the position.

USC has #1 overall QB from 2014 Max Browne and another top QB prospect from 2015 in Ricky Town.  Stanford signed Burns in 2013 and Chryst in 2014 and didn't take a QB in 2015, IMO in large part to increase odds of getting Costello.

At Stanford, he's got a redshirt year with Chryst likely starting as a RS Soph.  He's practically guaranteed of playing at least one year and maybe two if Chryst leaves early.  At USC he's got the real possibility of never getting a chance to play ever, as Browne and Town are right ahead of him class-wise.  Browne will be a RS Soph starting in 2016 or Town will be starting as a RS Frosh.  Stanford doesn't tend to sign as many elite QB prospects, so the odds of Costello actually playing at Stanford are greater than at USC.

When you factor in the educational opportunities, you have to like Stanford's chances.  Speaking of that, on a related note...

Ca.l signed a JC transfer who originally went to USC out of high school, DE Devante Wilson.  Last week he specifically commented on how Ca.l's academic requirements are "nothing like at USC" and a big adjustment for him.  I've always maintained you can get an education anywhere, but it really helps when you're surrounded by people who take school seriously.  When you look at the fact USC annually puts nobody on the Pac-12 All Academic team (except walk-on kickers that never see the field), there is no debate about which school's football program puts a priority on not just going to class, but getting an education, between USC and Stanford.

That said, if Costello's family is well off and well-connected, it probably doesn't much matter if he even gets a degree in terms of his financial future...

[OutsiderFan]

Look at the depth at the position.

USC has #1 overall QB from 2014 Max Browne and another top QB prospect from 2015 in Ricky Town.  Stanford signed Burns in 2013 and Chryst in 2014 and didn't take a QB in 2015, IMO in large part to increase odds of getting Costello.

At Stanford, he's got a redshirt year with Chryst likely starting as a RS Soph.  He's practically guaranteed of playing at least one year and maybe two if Chryst leaves early.  At USC he's got the real possibility of never getting a chance to play ever, as Browne and Town are right ahead of him class-wise.  Browne will be a RS Soph starting in 2016 or Town will be starting as a RS Frosh.  Stanford doesn't tend to sign as many elite QB prospects, so the odds of Costello actually playing at Stanford are greater than at USC.

When you factor in the educational opportunities, you have to like Stanford's chances.  Speaking of that, on a related note...

Ca.l signed a JC transfer who originally went to USC out of high school, DE Devante Wilson.  Last week he specifically commented on how Ca.l's academic requirements are "nothing like at USC" and a big adjustment for him.  I've always maintained you can get an education anywhere, but it really helps when you're surrounded by people who take school seriously.  When you look at the fact USC annually puts nobody on the Pac-12 All Academic team (except walk-on kickers that never see the field), there is no debate about which school's football program puts a priority on not just going to class, but getting an education, between USC and Stanford.

That said, if Costello's family is well off and well-connected, it probably doesn't much matter if he even gets a degree in terms of his financial future...