USC adds another lineman to 2020 OL class
Even with rumors swirling regarding Clay Helton's job status as head coach at USC, the Trojans were able to land another commitment along the offensive line in the 2020 recruiting class.
Massive 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive tackle Casey Collier (Mont Belvieu, Texas/Barbers Hill) became the sixth offensive lineman to commit to the Trojans in this class, when he made the announcement on Monday afternoon.
Collier committed to Minnesota back in March, then opened his recruitment back up in early October. USC pounced quickly with an offer and brought the offensive linemen out to Los Angeles for an official visit when the Trojans hosted the UCLA Bruins.
The three-star lineman holds offers from Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Texas Tech, among others. Collier was a fixture at left tackle and showed an ability to get into the second level and finish blocks through the whistle during a senior season where he helped his Eagles to a 12-2 season.
Collier joins an offensive line class for the Trojans that includes a lot of bodies and a lot of emphasis on the two tackle positions. Jonah Monheim (Moorpark, Calif./Moorpark) is the lone four-star prospect in the bunch, and capable of playing tackle or guard with his 6-foot-5, 280-pound frame. Joey Wright (Reno, Nev./Bishop Manogue), Caadyn Stephen (Camas, Wash./Camas), Andre Milek (Phoenix/Brophy Prep) and Andres Dewerk (Los Gatos, Calif./Los Gatos) are all listed as offensive tackles.
The size is notable for all, as Monheim is the smallest of the group. The rest are all at least 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds.
The Trojans could return four starters along the line next season, as left tackle Austin Jackson, left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Brett Neilon and right guard Jalen McKenzie all have eligibility remaining. USC will lose right tackle Drew Richmond to graduation. It remains to be seen whether Jackson will forgo his final season and enter the NFL Draft. Either way, there are plenty of spots on the depth chart for this incoming group, as USC signed just five offensive linemen over the past two seasons, including Richmond as a graduate transfer.
