Signing Day 2018

by:admin.usc•02/07/18
The Trojans signed 18 players, 17 from high school and one from junior college, with a class that was ranked by the various services as follows (Rivals #3, 24/7 #4, ESPN #11). Bios for the USC Trojans Class of 2018 members JT Daniels Quarterback 6-2, 205 (Mater Dei HS) Composite ranking: 5-star Hudl highlights Won Gatorade National Player of the Year and led team to national title as a junior in 2017, and then re-classified in order to join the Trojans in the fall. Completed 262-365 passes (71%) for 4,123 yards and 52 TD's with only 4 picks. A starter for the Monarchs since his freshman year. JT is one of the best natural throwers of the football that you’re going to find coming out of high school, and so accurate. Also has a tremendous football mind. He will come in next fall with every intention of competing to be the starter for the opening game. Markese Stepp Running Back 6-0, 230 (Cathedral HS, IN) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Longtime commit to Notre Dame who flipped to USC and Deland McCullough, who played CFB with his father. Stepp has stayed solid to the Trojans even after McCullough departed to NFL. This is a classic big back who runs with power but will surprise you with his speed. Averaged 7.9 yards per carry as a senior with 17 TD's. For those USC fans looking for a physical downhill runner you are going to like what you see with Markese. Amon-Ra St. Brown Wide Receiver 5-11, 195 (Mater Dei HS) Composite ranking: 5-star Hudl highlight Teamed with Daniels to form one of the most dangerous passing duos in the country, bringing comparisons to Pat Haden and JK McKay who went from HS teammates to USC. Amon-Ra is the most polished receiver in the class who has so many traits that you want from speed to precise routes to good hands, and to me the hidden part of his game is how strong he is. I would definitely expect him to make an immediate impact as part of the rotation next fall. Had 72 catches for 1,320 yards (18.3 average) and 20 TD's last year. Devon Williams Wide Receiver 6-5, 190 (Antelope Valley HS) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Williams is ranked as the #1 athlete in the class based on his play at other positions but he’s coming in as a ‘big’ receiver for the Trojans. He’s a bit on the raw side but all the tools are there to be a major weapon. Played QB, WR and safety for AVHS last year with 71 catches for 1,157 (16.3) and 13 TD's on offense and 67 tackles and 5 picks on defense. Justin Dedich Offensive Line 6-2, 290 (Chaparral HS) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Trained with PrimeTimePolynesian, operated by family of Viane Talamaivao. Justin is a classic center build with a nasty demeanor. Dedich, ranked as #2 center in the country, is an early enrollee who takes his place in a deep center group. Also played soccer as a goalkeeper. Liam Douglass Offensive Line 6-5, 280 (Harvard-Westlake HS) Composite ranking: 3-star Hudl highlights Liam is fairly new to the game of football, he was primarily a baseball player growing up. With Douglass you’re getting an athletic guy who just happens to have a frame that could develop well as an offensive lineman. Had 16 tackles and four sacks on defense. Caleb Tremblay Defensive Line 6-5, 275 (American River College) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Tremblay traveled a winding road to get to USC after playing as a HS senior in 2013. In 2017 he had 44 tackles, including 9.5 for loss. He has 3 years to play two for the Trojans. With Rasheem Green heading to the NFL Tremblay is an ideal player to plug in with his physical and mental maturity, plus his aggressive pursuit skills in the backfield. Trevor Trout Defensive Line 6-3, 315 (Chaminade, MO) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Trevor is a wide body in the middle of the line and he plays with a high motor. He made a memorable commitment video with his pledge to the Trojans. Missed part of senior year with hamstring injury. Abdul-Malik McClain Outside Linebacker 6-4, 230 (JSerra HS) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights A one-time UCLA commit who also visited Ohio State and Washington before signing with the Trojans during the early signing period. McClain sets the edge well, has an ideal frame for the position, and can be physical. McClain had 45 tackles and 18 sacks as a senior. Kana’i Mauga Outside Linebacker 6-2, 215 (Waianae HS, HI) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Was the 2017 Hawaii Defensive Player of the Year. Mauga can fly to the ball and should add bulk quickly to his frame. Had 52.5 tackles and 5 tackles for loss, along with three defensive touchdowns. Eli’Jah Winston Linebacker 6-3, 235 (Cathedral Catholic, OR) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Eli’Jah has been a commit to Oregon, where his brother currently plays linebacker, but he took a recent visit to USC and flipped to the Trojans the day before signing day. His size gives him the potential to either line up as a bigger inside linebacker option or as an outside linebacker. Had 5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2017. Raymond Scott Inside Linebacker 6-2, 220 (Narbonne HS) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights 4-year starter for the Gauchos and a two-time state champion. Had 94 tackles and 15 TFL as a senior. Oklahoma was pushing hard for Scott but he never wavered on the Trojans. Raymond is a solid presence in the middle of the defense, think a Hayes Pullard-type player. Palaie Gaoteote Inside Linebacker 6-2, 230 (Bishop Gorman HS, NV) Composite ranking: 5-star Hudl highlights The top-ranked ILB in the nation was an OLB until this season, but made the transition inside (80 tackles, 20 for loss) and led the Gaels to their 9th straight state title. Also visited Ohio State. A physical and aggressive linebacker who also has terrific pursuit speed. Had 3 blocked punts.. Solomon Tuliaupupu Linebacker 6-2, 220 (Mater Dei HS) Composite ranking: 4-stars Hudl highlights “Solomon won the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker, was the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead his team to the national title with 63 tackles, 12 for loss. Intensity is a leading trait.” Talanoa Hufanga Safety 6-1, 195 (Crescent Valley HS, OR) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights Had over 1,000 combined yards on offense to go along with 44 tackles and 4 picks on defense. Also considered Oregon, UCLA, Michigan and Utah. The #2 ranked athlete in the country, Hufanga will play safety for the Trojans with a skill set that is very similar to Su’a Cravens. He is a spring enrollee and his cousin is Marlon Tuipulotu. Chase Williams Cornerback 6-2, 190 (Roosevelt HS) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights A one-time commit to Nebraska. Known more as a receiver early in HS career. Had 50 catches as a senior, along with 25 tackles and 1 pick on defense. Williams brings height to the corner spot along with being a good athlete, and he wasted little time de-committing from the Cornhuskers after USC came calling. Also an early enrollee. Olaijah Griffin Cornerback 6-0, 170 (Mission Viejo HS) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights “An aggressive corner with good athleticism, Griffin is a solid coverage pick-up for the Trojans in the secondary who had 40 tackles and four pass deflections. His father is rapper Warren G.” Isaac Taylor-Stuart Cornerback 6-2, 187 (Helix HS) Composite ranking: 4-star Hudl highlights “Isaac possesses one of the most unique set of athletic traits that you will find for a cornerback with his 6-2 height and enough speed to win multiple combine testing events against other top recruits in the nation. Had 77 tackles and 6 picks while leading Helix to state title game.”

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz