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USC Trojans Recruiting Finalist For Elite Linebacker Prospect: Battling Michigan, Notre Dame

The USC Trojans are battling Michigan, Notre Dame for one of the top linebackers in the nation with the potential to continue their recent success on the recruiting trail. A commitment from four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng could give USC coach Lincoln Riley a top-10 recruiting class.

Randall Sweet

Nathaniel Owusu Boateng, IMG Academy National
Nathaniel Owusu Boateng, IMG Academy National / DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI / HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK
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On Monday afternoon, Four-star IMG Academy (FL) linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng announced his top six schools.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker from Manassas, VA, included USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Texas and Florida in his list, also mentioning in a social media post that he will reveal his commitment date soon.

Owusu-Boateng is set to visit Texas next month and has already taken his official visit to USC. Outside of the Longhorns, it seems that Michigan and Notre Dame will be two of the Trojan's biggest competitors in the elite linebacker prospect's recruitment.

Owusu-Boateng's last three social media posts were about Texas, Michigan and Notre Dame, and after his trip to Austin, the coveted defender will have taken official visits to each of the aforementioned schools. Notre Dame currently has the highest liklihood to land him at 30 percent On3 recruiting prediction.

Owusu-Boateng is rated the No. 70 overall prospect and No. 7 linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

"Speed-and-space linebacker that can hawk down ball carriers and spy quarterbacks," Andrew Ivins wrote. "Tips the scales at just over 6-foot, 200 pounds and appears to still have some growth potential with his lean, muscular build. Started prep career off in the DMV before arriving at IMG Academy where he emerged as a team leader in advance of senior season. At his best in chase mode, but has shown over the years that he’s willing to attack blockers or play around them."

As a junior at IMG Academy, Owusu-Boateng racked up 45 tackles, six tackles for loss, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and a sack in just eight games.

The Asceners' standout is the younger brother of former Notre Dame superstar Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Owusu-Koramoah won the Butkus Award, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American in 2020.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive back Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Oct 12, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive back Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) celebrates after sacking USC Trojans quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium / Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Following his decorated final season with the Fighting Irish, Owusu-Koramoah was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft.

"Tends to strike opponents when the opportunity presents itself. Has proven to be rather effective against the pass as he’s athletic and agile enough to mirror tight ends underneath or down the seam. Should be viewed as a potential impact player at the Power Four level. Might lack the payload at this stage to hold up against a true down-hill run game, but sideline-to-sideline range could lead to plenty of success on Saturdays," continued the scouting report.

Currently, D'Anton Lynn and company boast commitments from San Clementine (CA) linebacker Matai Tagoa'i, 4-star Seminole Ridge (FL) linebacker Ty Jackson, 4-star Thomas County Central (GA) defensive back Kendarius Reddick, 4-star Upland (CA) cornerback Trestin Castro, 4-star Buford (GA) linebacker Jadon Perlotte, 4-star Oaks Christian (CA) edge rusher Hayden Lowe, 3-star Carrollton (GA) defensive back Shamar Arnoux and 3-star Lake Travis (TX) defensive lineman Gus Cordova in the 2025 recruiting class.

Overall, the Trojans hold pledges from 19 prospects and have the No. 15 recruiting class in the nation, according to On3. A commitment from Owusu-Boateng would likely push Lincoln Riley and company even closer to having one of the top 10 classes in the cycle.

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Randall Sweet
RANDALL SWEET

Randall Sweet is a Staff Writer for Sports Illustrated covering the Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma State Cowboys, USC Trojans, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. Since graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism, Randall has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports across the country as a credentialed media member. While in college, Randall wrote for the OU Daily and logged bylines in The Norman Transcript in addition to working with Sooner Sports Pad and OU Nightly. Following his time at OU, Randall served as the Communications Coordinator at Visit Oklahoma City before leaving to join the team at Sports Illustrated.

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