USC lands in loaded top 7 for 2022 standout DE Dani Dennis-Sutton
USC's new defensive coaching staff hasn't seen truly tangible results on the recruiting trail in the 2022 class, as the Trojans have just one commitment there. But it's undeniable that the staff has had a major impact, as USC is once again becoming a fixture in top lists for some national standouts.
The most recent example came Friday morning, as four-star 2022 defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (Owings Mills, Md./McDonogh School) listed USC among his seven top schools, which put the Trojans in the company of some elite schools.
Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas A&M joined USC as current options for the 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end, rated as the No. 50 overall prospect in his class.
This represents some quick work done by the USC coaches--notably defensive line coach Vic So'oto--as the Trojans are by far his most recent offer, having only done so on Sept. 1.
So'oto is going to recruit the West region and Southern California hard now that he's at USC, but that won't prevent him from looking east every now and again. He developed into a terrific recruiter during his time as an assistant coach at Virginia, and has plenty of connections left in that area. Already at USC, he's earned a commitment from defensive end Colin Mobley (Hyattsville, Md./DeMatha Catholic) in the 2021 class.
Maryland has always had its share of talented prospects, but the state is a bit of a free-for-all when it comes to recruiting, even though the Terps have done better of late in keeping local talent home.
In the 2021 class, Maryland has commitments from two of the top-10 prospects in the state, with the other committed players headed to Penn State, Alabama, Tennessee, Boston College, Georgia and LSU. Oregon and Oklahoma and likely to add the two uncommitted prospects in that top 10. USC has now offered the top three prospects in the state for the 2022 class, as Dennis-Sutton joins defensive end Derrick Moore (Baltimore/St. Frances Academy) and inside linebacker Jaishawn Barham (District Heights, Md./St. Frances Academy)--both top-50 national prospects--with USC offers.
USC's lone commitment in the 2022 class is linebacker Niuafe Tuihalamaka (Mission Hills, Calif./Alemany), the nation's No. 63 overall prospect.
