USC Football: Trojans Passed Over By 3-Star LB In Favor Of Big 12 Club

Ouch.

A Utah prep school standout has opted to stay local over joining Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans, writes Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune.

Three-star class of 2024 linebacker Ephraim Asiata has decided to continue his education at BYU. Reynolds writes that Asiata was one of the 15 best players in the state, per 247Sports' Composite Ranking.

Asiata, the son of ex-University of Utah/Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata, went with Brigham Young over Utah, the Trojans and reportedly a few other choices.

The young star also boasts an inspirational and depressingly American survival story. 

He was badly wounded during a high school shooting on January 13th, 2022, and had been given just a “1% chance” by doctors to survive, according to his uncle Muka Atiga. Two other students perished in the massacre. After sitting out a year while he recuperated, he eventually transferred to Herriman High School for the 2023-24 school year, notching over 50 tackles and nine sacks across 10 contests.

It's unfortunate that he won't be donning the Cardinal and Gold next fall, but we at All Trojans wish him the best in his NCAA journey with a storied Big 12 team that'll be closer to home.