USC Football: Trojans Among Four Programs 4-Star Safety Intends To Officially Visit

USC is on a short list of programs he is considering.

USC looks to be in an excellent position in the recruitment of one of the top prospects in the country. Toombs County (Lyons, GA) 2025 safety Lagonza Hayward is considered a top 150-prospect in his class according to On3. He holds offers from nearly 30 programs, and that number will likely grow before it's all said and done. 

This week, we learned where he will be focusing his recruitment moving forward. According to Athlon Sports (who sourced the story from On3's Chad Simmons), USC, Florida State, Tennessee, and Alabama are the four schools that Hayward is considering. 

Hayward plans on visiting each school at some point in late spring through early summer, with Tennessee getting the last visit on June 21st. He plans on getting out to USC on June 7, sandwiched between his visit to Alabama and Florida State. 

The 6-foot-1, ~200-pound safety is also a proven offensive weapon as well, taking just 26 catches for over 700 yards during his junior season. He also finished 2023 with 48 total tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for a loss, four passes defended, and a forced fumble. 

Lagonza Hayward has schools recruiting him as a DB, a WR and just as an athlete. Around 30 offers are in and five schools are on top of his list heading into spring visits: https://t.co/6c7bww89Jt (On3+) pic.twitter.com/Dm42N80owd

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) February 29, 2024

He's an extremely versatile athlete at this point in his career, and according to Chad Simmons, he's being recruited as such. Some schools see him as a wide receiver at the next level, some see him as a safety, and other schools are recruiting him as an "athlete". 

The programs that look at him as an athlete will likely give him practice reps on both sides of the ball, likely at multiple positions (slot/outside wide receiver, strong/free safety) in order to let him play into his best position. 

Regardless, he's one to watch for Trojan fans as he likely would step into the fray in year one and be able to, at least, make a difference on special teams.