USC Football: Trojans Eager To Get Big Along Defensive Line, Offer Top 2026 Edge Recruit

USC has been clear that they want to get bigger at the line of scrimmage

Your USC Trojans are putting their money where their mouth is on the recruiting trail. In addition to recently offering the number one player in the state of Pennsylvania (6-foot-6, ~300-pound offensive lineman Michael Carroll), USC also extended an offer to the number one defensive end in the class of 2026. 

Jemison High School (Huntsville, AL) defensive end Hezekiah Harris took to Twitter today to announce that he had received a scholarship offer from USC, tagging Trojan defensive line coach Eric Henderson and assistant linebackers coach Bryson Allen-Williams in his post. 

Blessed To Receive An Offer From @uscfb @Coach_Henny @B_Quatro4 @DexPreps @GrindLab @UnLockYourGame @JemisonJags @DownSouthFb1 @HallTechSports1 @ScoutFball @ChadSimmons_ @DemetricDWarren @adamgorney @Andrew_Ivins @TDARecruiting @BHoward_11 @SWiltfong247 @RivalsFriedman pic.twitter.com/ibP1675Zb6

— Hezekiah Harris (@HezeHarris) February 29, 2024

There are no scouting reports on Harris published by any of the major recruiting outlets yet, as the 6-foot-5 220 pound Harris has only played two season of high school. Fortunately, Hudl exists, and judging off his film, Harris is clearly deserving of the four stars by his name. 

While still extremely raw, Harris has shown he can dominate capable offensive tackles out on the box's edge. He does tend to play with high pad level, but that doesn't seem to stop him from blowing by lineman on his way to the quarterback. On film, he appears extremely coordinated for his size and age. His physical tools combined with his athleticism (he also plays basketball) make him an intriguing prospect. 

Harris also has offers from Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee already, and that list will likely grow past 30 total schools when it's all said and done. 

Lincoln Riley has been clear about his intention to recruit larger football players to play on his defensive line. He said so during a press conference wherein he introduced his new defensive coaching staff, just two weeks ago. Here is Riley on the matter:

"I think definitely in the second half of the season that certainly showed up, we obviously played a pretty tough stretch of games there in the back half of the season. But typically that November football, that’s when that tends to show up and I thought we got a little bit worn down. We got a little bit worn down physically, had some games obviously that we didn’t stop the run very well..."

Harris has an 82-inch wingspan, according to TD Alabama. 

I'd say he fits the bill.