Expert predictions logged for USC to flip 4-star offensive tackle

Days after Corona (Calif.) Centennial five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet flipped to USC, Southern Cal is now projected to land another pass-protector for its star QB.

On3’s Steve Wiltfong and USC insider Scott Schrader logged expert predictions Thursday afternoon favoring the Trojans to flip Gainesville (Ga.) four-star offensive tackle Alex Payne away from North Carolina.

Payne has been part of the Tar Heels’ class since Jan. 17. He has several Power 4 offers and took a visit out west to USC on Nov. 16 for the Trojans’ game against Nebraska.

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Payne is the nation’s No. 162 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is the No. 15 offensive tackle in the class and the No. 22 recruit from the state of Georgia.

Payne would be the third offensive tackle prospect to join USC’s 2025 recruiting class. Spanish Fork (Utah) four-star Aaron Dunn committed to the Trojans on Oct. 18 and Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) three-star Elijah Vaikona has been in the class since July.

On Nov. 20, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown is telling recruits that he is planning to stay on as head coach beyond this season.

Brown, 73, is wrapping up his sixth season back at UNC – his second stint with the program. He previously coached the Tar Heels from 1988-97 before taking over at Texas from 1998-2013.

North Carolina takes a 6-4 record into Saturday’s game against Boston College. On the whole, the Tar Heels are 44-31 in Brown’s second stint in Chapel Hill – including an ACC Coastal title in 2022.