USC football receives No. 1 recruiting ranking for incoming high school and transfer class

'The Trojans' blend of high-level recruiting and utilizing the portal could propel them into their first playoff appearance'

In the last recruiting cycle, USC signed both a top ten high school and transfer class. The Trojans staff's efforts earned USC the No. 1 recruiting ranking from ESPN for 2023 when factoring in both high school and transfer recruits.

"The Trojans' blend of high-level recruiting and utilizing the portal could propel them into their first playoff appearance," ESPN's Craig Haubert wrote. 

USC added 22 players from high school and 14 from the transfer portal. Out of the 36 prospects, 22 players were graded as four-star prospects or better by 247Sports.com. 

Miami, Florida State, LSU and Colorado rounded out the top five in ESPN's rankings. 

"USC inserted players to win now, but unlike the Los Angeles Rams, USC is not built for all or nothing," Haubert wrote. "Returning Heisman winner Caleb Williams, we may not even see the Trojans' top signee in 2023, but No. 1 QB Malachi Nelson gives them an elite heir apparent who can benefit from time to learn and physically develop. On defense, ESPN 300 LB Tackett Curtis and safety Christian Pierce are already creating buzz and display promising futures. Several portal transfers have limited eligibility, but big additions such as defensive linemen Bear Alexander and Anthony Lucas are coming off freshmen seasons."

2024 RECRUITING UPDATE

After hosting 12 prospects on official visits last weekend, USC more than doubled the size of its 2024 recruiting class in the last three days week with five commitments.

Three-star Cherry Creek (Englewood, Colo.) offensive lineman Hayden Treter was the first domino to fall on Sunday morning. Later that day, four-star Clearwater (Fla.) safety Jarvis Boatwright also picked USC.

On Monday, four-star Serra (Gardena, Calif.) cornerback Dakoda Fields and four-star Booker T. Washington (Atlanta) defensive end Kameryn Fountain committed, but USC still wasn't done. The Trojans secured a verbal pledge from four-star Central Catholic (Modesto, Calif.) offensive lineman Manasse Itete later that day too.

"USC is a powerhouse," Itete said. "They are doing a good job with guys at different positions, and also they're moving to the Big 10 against a lot of big dawgs."