USC recruiting wrap
By Carson Marsh
News and notes from the world of USC recruiting over the past week, including a huge decommitment from a Trojan legacy, a number of new offers sent out — including one to a 2020 quarterback — and a check in on how the playoffs are going for USC’s 2020 and 2021 commitments.
Three-star 2020 tight end commit Jack Yary (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta Valley) has announced his decommitment from USC. This decommitment deals a major blow to USC’s 2020 recruiting class, which has plummeted in both national and Pac-12 recruiting rankings. According to 247Sports, USC ranks 76th nationally and 11th in the conference. These rankings are a new low for Coach Helton’s regime as the Trojans’ once undeniable presence in securing top California talent has diminished significantly in the last few years. This issue raises questions that new athletic director Mike Bohn will have to answer as he looks to turn around this historic program.
Five-star Centennial 2021 defensive end Korey Foreman has announced his final top ten. The list included Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Florida and USC. Adding a 5-star like Foreman would bolster the 2021 recruiting class, which is already stacking itself up with top defensive line talent. Like linebacker Justin Flowe in the 2020 class, Foreman is the must-get local defensive player in the 2021 class for the Trojans.
Five-star 2020 cornerback Elias Ricks and LSU commitment announced he is shutting down his recruitment after their dominant victory over Alabama in Tuscaloosa over the weekend. After the victory, some LSU players went over to the Alabama sideline where recruits were sitting and called for them to reconsider their prospective commitment to the Tide. Ricks cited this victory on Twitter when he said, “I have officially shut down my recruitment, We are the best ever #GeauxTigers.” This deals another blow to the Trojans, which looked like the early leader to land Ricks, and carries an extra sting too as LSU coach Ed Orgeron was the interim head coach of USC after Lane Kiffin’s firing in 2013. It will be interesting to see if this was an emotional statement and the Trojans are still able to reach out to him if some recruiting momentum can be build before the early signing period.
The Trojans are looking to capitalize on the upheaval at Arkansas, as the Razorbacks fired head coach Chad Morris. USC offered scholarships to four-star 2020 quarterback Chandler Morris (Dallas/Highland Park) and three-star 2020 tight end Brandon Frazier (McKinney, Texas/McKinney North). Morris is the son of the former Arkansas head coach, and both players decommitted from Arkansas following his firing.
Class of 2021 linebacker Barrett Carter (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) received an offer from USC on Monday. A four-star linebacker, Carter also holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and a number of other premier programs.
Class of 2021 cornerback Terrion Arnold (Tallahassee, Fla./John Paul II Catholic) added an offer from USC. He also holds offers from Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee and others.
Class of 2022 athlete Larry Turner-Gooden (Calabasas, Calif./Calabasas) picked up an offer from USC. Turner-Gooden already holds offers from Florida and LSU, as well as Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado. He has a chance to be a must-get local recruit in the 2022 class. Class of 2022 running back Gavin Sawchuk (Littleton, Colo./Valor Christian) added an offer from USC. The Trojans join Arizona State, Colorado, Iowa and Oregon with early offers.
USC 2020 Recruits in Action
DT/RG Jamar Sekona and Marin Catholic hold the second seed in the Division IV playoffs and will play home to Kennedy of Fremont on November 16th.
DT Kobe Pepe and the #2 seeded St. John Bosco have a home playoff game against Calabasas this upcoming Friday.
OT/DL Andres Dewerk and Los Gatos defeated Mountain View (CA) last Friday by a score of 21-10. Dewerk recorded 5 tackles in the non-conference match. Los Gatos has its first playoff match when they play home to Live Oak this Friday.
OT/OG Andrew Milek and Brophy College Prep were defeated by Mountain View of Mesa by a score of 35-19 in the 6A Conference Championship.
OT Joey Wright and Bishop Monague defeated McQueen last Friday by a blowout score of 56-7. Bishop Monague plays Spanish Springs this Friday in a neutral playoff game.
OG Kyle Juergens and the St. Margaret Tartans season is over after losing their playoff matchup against Los Altos by a score of 17-7.
USC 2021 Commits in Action
OLB Ma’a Gaoteote and second seed St. John Bosco play home to Calabasas on November 15th.
DT Jay Toia and Grace Brethren defeated Westlake 42-38 in a Friday night shootout. Toia recorded 2 solo tackles, 4 total tackles, and 1 sack in the outing. Grace Brethren moves on to face Lawndale in a neutral playoff game this upcoming Friday.
