USC rises again in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings after latest commitment

USC’s football recruiting roll continued on Tuesday, as the Trojans beat out Florida State and Oklahoma for four-star Clearwater Academy (Fla.) offensive lineman Jason Zandemela.

Following his commitment, along with that Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco top-75 cornerback Marcelles Williams on Sunday morning, the Trojans have again jumped in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

USC’s 2024 recruiting class now sits at No. 7 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Trojans’ group, which ranks No. 3 in the Big Ten, rose four spots from No. 9.

“He [Lincoln Riley] is building a national championship class and team, especially this year,” Zandamela told On3’s Chad Simmons. “They have a great chance to get to the national championship and I feel like with this class, it’s just going to solidify them offensively and defensively. It’s an elite program. They already are an elite program.”

The 6-foot-3, 286-pounder is the No. 136 overall prospect and No. 6 cornerback 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. 19 player in California.

Lincoln Riley building an impressive 2024 group

Up until mid-April, USC’s 2024 class only held one commitment from four-star tight end Joey Olsen. Over the next two months they added pledges from four-star wide receiver Xavier Jordan and three-star running back Bryan Jackson.

Despite that slow start, June has seen things quickly turn around for the Trojans.

Of the 12 pledges they currently holds, nine have come over the last three weeks. Three-star safety Jarvis Boatwright Jr. and three-star interior offensive lineman Hayden Treter kicked off the month for the Trojans with their commitments on June 4.

The following day USC added commitments from top-100 cornerback Dakoda Fields, four-star EDGE Kameryn Fountain and four-star offensive tackle Manasse Itete.

A few more four star commitments from Zandamela, Williams, tight end Walter Matthews and linebacker Elijah Newby followed up those pledges to propel them into the top-10.

USC wrapped up the 2023 recruiting cycle signing the No. 9 class in the country and the No. 2 class in the Pac-12 with 22 signees. This one has the chance to finish even higher.