USC's social celebration following Simon's commitment
USC picked up a commitment from four-star athlete Julien Simon on Sunday. It's an addition that will help the Trojans on and off the field, and that fact was made evident with a quick flip through the social media reaction coming out of the USC program as well as those close to Simon.
As always, the social media celebration for a new USC commitment kicked off with head coach Clay Helton calling on Traveler.
Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando helped add his first linebacker commitment in the 2021 class (fellow four-star linebacker Ma'a Gaoteote was already committed when Orlando arrived). Simon seems to be the perfect kind of player for Orlando's scheme, as he can rush the passer, drop into coverage, is incredibly instinctive in locating and getting to the ball, and loves to run and hit. Orlando's actual celebration upon hearing news of the commitment might have looked like one he tweeted.
Of course, if Orlando didn't react like that, he might have looked like this, courtesy of Director of Scouting Trey Johnson.
Cornerbacks coach Donte Williams talked about recruiting extensively during his initial press conference upon arriving at USC. One of the things he specifically mentioned repeatedly was building relationships outside of football. That absolutely is one of the things that brought Simon to USC, as he credited Williams--as well as Orlando and defensive graduate assistant Michael Hutchings--for developing a very strong relationship with him throughout the recruiting process.
Williams celebrated the commitment, and pointed out that the Trojans strengthened their hold on the No. 1 class in the Pac-12.
Defensive line coach Vic So'oto isn't one to let an opportunity to celebrate pass him by.
And several USC coaches and staffers made sure to point out that USC went into Washington to grab one of the state's best prospects in a year where the state is absolutely loaded with talent. The Washington Huskies often use #PurpleReign in their social announcements, so the Trojans had some fun with that.
This is the first of 11 commitments in this class not from either California or Texas.
Safeties coach Craig Naivar is a big baseball fan, so he used the Pacific Northwest's greatest baseball player to celebrate.
This is a commitment that could have a lasting impression, beyond simply adding Simon to the class, and even the 3-5 years he spends in the USC football program. Team FSP is a 7-on-7 and training program in Washington that has been home to some of the best prospects in the state, and the region, in recent years.
Tracy Ford is the CEO of Ford Sports Performance (FSP) and has nothing but praise for Simon as a person and a player.
Fellow Washington prospect and USC target Will Latu took notice immediately.
Even Simon's older brother, a defensive tackle at Colorado, might develop a soft spot for the Trojans, provided he's not lining up on the field against them.
And of course, nothing USC recruiting related would be complete without a comment from four-star running back commit Brandon Campbell, who hinted at this commitment coming and is the first one to celebrate it once it happened.
