USC announces two huge additions to its football video department
By now you've probably heard plenty about the improvements USC has made to the coaching staff, recruiting department and the football program overall this offseason. Now, you're about to see it.
USC announced two massive hires to its video department on Wednesday morning, as Jacob Brown and Will Stout are now the Director of Football Video Production and Assistant Director of Football Production, respectively. Both come from LSU, where they helped produce unquestionably the best videos in college football last season. And they are both absolute stars when it comes to producing video, which has become an essential part of college football recruiting.
Brown comes over after having served as the Assistant Director of Athletic Video for LSU.
Stout wrote about the move in a social media post.
"I told myself many many years ago, as far back as I can remember, that I would end up in Los Angeles one day," Stout said. "It's always been my dream and it's something that I've always looked forward to and worked for...This definitely wasn't an easy decision to make, but it's one that I think is truly right for me. I'm excited to start my new life in LA, and I'm excited to be a USC Trojan."
There's proof as well, as Stout tweeted photos of Los Angeles back in 2014, saying he'd one day call it home.
It shouldn't take long for USC fans to get excited once they see some of the work Brown and Stout have produced.
LSU's National Championship hype video has drawn nearly 7 million views on twitter. Stout handled a bulk of the editing responsibilities for the LSU video team and did so as a junior on scholarship at LSU last year. With this move, he'll transfer and finish his final year of school at USC.
The SEC Championship pregame video was almost equally impressive.
That video drew praise from industry critics and insiders as it found a way to stand out in what has become a sea of college football hype videos.
While it's definitely true that neither Brown nor Stout will directly contribute to wins and losses on the field, having a top-tier video department is starting to be what helps separate the elite programs from others, especially when it comes to the effect it can have on recruiting and staying relevant in the minds of top prospects.
With USC's connection to celebrities and the world of music and entertainment, Brown and Stout might have the ability to make even more of an impact from Los Angeles than Baton Rouge.
USC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is plenty familiar with the duo's work at LSU, and is looking forward to what they can provide for Trojan players.
USC athletic director Mike Bohn and head coach Clay Helton spoke a lot at the end of the year and over this offseason about dedicating the necessary resources to elevating USC to a championship-level program. So far, the changes have been evident and positive. A new defensive staff of coaches have hit the recruiting trail hard and are generating positive momentum with recruits specifically in Los Angeles and across the country as well.
Director of Player Personnel Spencer Harris has helped revamp a recruiting department that needed some structure, direction and an infusion of bodies. And now USC is likely going to become one of the most well-represented programs in the country when it comes to video production--both in quality and quantity. And until the 2020 season begins, USC's long and illustrious history should give Brown and Stout plenty of material to work with to keep recruits and Trojan fans entertained.
