2024 CB Isaiah Rubin commits to USC: 'It was my dream school'

Growing up in Long Beach (Calif.), Isaiah Rubin loved watching Reggie Bush‘s highlights at USC. He still does before every one of his games. The Trojans program has been one he and his dad have followed for almost all of his life.

And on Friday, he got to make a dream come true by committing to Lincoln Riley‘s program.

“My and my pops grew up big USC fans,” he told On3. “I grew up in Long Beach, then moved to Las Vegas before coming back to southern California for my senior year. I grew up following USC, cheering for them and I still watch Reggie Bush videos before games. My pop went to USC games, and I went with him. This commitment is something for him, too.”

The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder was offered by the Trojans at the end of January. Their communication early on varied, but things really picked up in May. He visited for the San Jose State game in September, and that was all he needed to see — he wanted to stay home.

“On that day, I knew I wanted to go there,” he added. “The atmosphere, the fans, the love the players received and the feeling that day showed me everything I was looking for. I told Coach Donte Williams right after I posted my top four schools a few weeks ago. I told Coach Lincoln Riley right away, too. They have known for a few weeks and they are excited to have me.”

Donte Williams was a key factor for Isaiah Rubin

Beginning in May, Williams ramped up communication between the two. At that point, Washington and Oregon were ahead of the Trojans. But as the relationship continued to grow and the connection got stronger, USC kept moving up his list. He and Williams have become very close and that moved to the Trojans to the top.

“Coach Donte played the biggest role in my decision,” he said. “It is about family for me, and he connected with me and my family. I want to go where I feel loved, wanted and like family and Coach Donte showed me all of that. What I like most about Coach Donte is that he is himself. He doesn’t try to be anyone he is not. He is himself when we talk, he is himself when he coaches and our relationship made this easy.”

Rubin is also excited by the prospect of playing for Lincoln Riley, who he believes will lead the Trojans to Big Ten and national championships.

“I see great things from Coach Lincoln Riley,” he said. “He has always been a great guy from day one. He is positive, I want to play for him and he has great energy. He is very down to earth, he is like one of us and he is easy to talk to. Coach Riley is just a regular guy and I love that about him. USC is very close to winning that national title and I think it will happen in the next three years.”