Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
USC

4-star IOL Jason Zandamela sets USC visit

On3 imageby:Drew Schott•04/06/23•

dschott328

Jason Zandamela USC
Photo by Chad Simmons/On3

Clearwater (Fla.) Clearwater Academy International four-star interior offensive lineman Jason Zandamela is visiting USC this weekend. He announced the news Thursday over Twitter.

Zandamela is the No. 172 overall prospect and No. 9 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 24 player in Florida.

“Their culture and I’m a big fan of their current center,” Zandamela told On3’s Chad Simmons on March 5 about why he is interested in USC. “I watched his tape a lot because I almost revolve my game around how he plays it. I really like how coach (Josh) Henson coaches.”

The 6-foot-2.5, 260-pound recruit holds 32 offers. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Florida State has a commanding lead for his commitment at 97.1%.

USC currently has one pledge this cycle. Lake Oswego (Ore.) Lakeridge four-star tight end Joey Olsen chose head coach Lincoln Riley and his staff on Sept. 14

For more USC recruiting intel, check out WeAreSC.

Zandamela is looking nationally in his recruitment

Zandemala’s visit to the Trojans is his second college trip in a week. He was also at Miami on April 1.

The Hurricanes are another program standing out to Zandamela. The four-star broke down his interest in Miami, as well as Florida State with Simmons.

Florida State: “The coaching staff, I love what they’re all about. I love their culture and I really like what they’re doing with the team. The coaching, Mike Norvell getting the extension, I just really think they’re gonna be a highly ranked team and I really like what they’re all about.”

Miami: “The combination of (Alex) Mirabal and (Mario) Cristobal, there’s not really many programs that have a head coach that works with the o-line like Miami. They’ve been showing a lot of interest. They’ve been sending me graphics and I talk to Mirabal and Cristobal twice a week. I have a great feeling about Miami.”

Zandemala is also interested in Oklahoma and Penn State. A key reason is because of Sooners offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh and Nittany Lions offensive line coach Phil Trautwein.

“He’s a very laid-back coach, but he’s very serious about what he does,” Zandamela said about Bedenbaugh. “I think he can develop o-linemen better than most of the o-line coaches and I really like that about him.”

“I remember when I met him for the first time,” he added about Trautwein. “It was last year around this time. He’s been watching me develop and everything. He’s not the type of coach that would just offer you because of rankings. He genuinely wants to see how you can develop and see how you turn out as a player. I really appreciate that from him.”