USC climbs in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

It took until the end of March, but USC landed one of its top targets of the 2023 cycle. Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle five-star tight end Duce Robinson announced his commitment to the Trojans on Thursday.

With his decision, Robinson — the final uncommitted five-star senior — elevated USC’s 2023 recruiting class to No. 9 in the 2023 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Trojans’ group, which climbed four spots from No. 13, also ranks No. 2 in the Pac-12.

“USC is close to home and it makes it super-easy to get back and forth,” Robinson told On3’s Chad Simmons on March 18. “I have great relationships with many of the guys on that campus too. I know a lot of players and am close friends with many of them.”

“Caleb Williams is the best quarterback in college football and the best player,” he added. “Having a chance to play with him would be incredible. Coach (Lincoln) Riley’s offense is incredible too and he is always looking to put guys into position to make plays. USC has really changed since coach Riley took over.”

Robinson is the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 1 tight end in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Arizona.

For more USC recruiting intel, check out WeAreSC.

Robinson adds more offensive firepower to USC’s 2023 class

Robinson is now the third five-star in USC’s 2023 class. He joins Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Zachariah Branch and Los Alamitos (Calif.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Malachi Nelson.

Branch and USC four-star signee Makai Lemon — who played with Nelson at Los Alamitos — were the No. 1 and No. 6 wide receivers in the 2023 class, respectively. Additionally, Nelson was the No. 5 quarterback.

A 6-foot-6, 225-pound recruit, Robinson is also the Trojans’ third tight end signee, alongside Folsom (Calif.) four-star Walker Lyons and Lynden (Wash.) Lynden Christian School three-star Kade Eldridge. In addition to Robinson, seven other USC signees were top-200 recruits: Branch, Nelson, Lyons, Lemon, Friendswood (Texas) four-star EDGE Braylan Shelby, Many (La.) four-star linebacker Tackett Curtis and Manor (Texas) four-star running back Quinten Joyner.

More four-stars chose the Trojans last cycle, including Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle offensive tackle Elijah Paige, Oxnard (Calif.) Pacifica cornerback Maliki Crawford, Mesa (Ariz.) Red Mountain wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane and Wichita Falls (Texas) Hirschi running back A’Marion Peterson.