USC makes top schools lists for two 2022 standouts
USC isn't going to land all of its top targets in the 2022 recruiting class, but the Trojan coaches are working hard to keep themselves in the picture for many of them.
USC landed in the top groups of two more 2022 standouts on Monday, as four-star tight end Oscar Delp (Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth) and four-star cornerback Austin Jordan (Denton, Tex./Ryan) included USC in their top-13 and top-10 groups, respectively.
Delp is a 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end who checks in as the nation's No. 235 overall prospect and No. 10 tight end. He's another big weapon in the passing game being targeted at this position by USC. Last fall, Delp recorded 43 receptions for 730 yards and a touchdown.
The Trojans haven't utilized the traditional tight end position well under offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, but it's clear the staff has a plan in mind at the position. Wide receiver Drake London has been a top target over the past two years, and his production gets lumped into the tight end group by the coaches, as Harrell and new tight ends coach Seth Doege want a big body who can help in the running game and also pose a threat to defensive backs down the field. That recruiting pitch helped USC sign both Michael Trigg and Lake McRee in the 2021 class and has the Trojans in the mix for Delp and a few other 2022 tight end targets.
Delp announced a loaded top group, with Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, Northwestern, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Stanford and USC all still involved.
Jordan's list was pared down slightly more than Delp's, as Jordan listed a final 10 that includes Auburn, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M and USC.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound four-star is the nation's No. 167 overall prospect and No. 19 cornerback.
Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas have had some real battles for Texas prospect over the past few classes and this could shape up to be another one, with USC hoping again to make an impact in a Texas recruitment.
USC is off to a strong start in the 2022 class when it comes to cornerback recruiting, with five-star Domani Jackson (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei) and four-star Fabian Ross (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman) already committed. The Trojans are pursuing five-star corner Will Johnson (Grosse Pointe, Mich./Grosse Pointe South), four-star corner Ephesians Prysock (Mission Hills, Calif./Alemany) and others, as USC cornerbacks coach Donte Williams looks to stack another strong class on top of a 2021 group that featured four-star corners Ceyair Wright, Prophet Brown and Jaylin Smith.
