USC lands On3 No. 1 LB Ty Jackson after weekend official visit

Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge four-star linebacker Ty Jackson took an official visit to USC this weekend, and he comes out of the trip committed to the Trojans, On3 has learned.

“He connected with the staff, the education is 1st class, and the location felt like home for Ty,” his father, Semaj, told On3.

Defensive line coach Eric Henderson, in his first year with the program after coaching with the Los Angeles Rams, took the lead in this recruitment and ultimately landed one of the Trojans’ biggest defensive commitments of the Lincoln Riley era.

His addition moves to the Trojans up to 16th nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, and he projects as another potential five-star signee alongside quarterback Julian Lewis by the time the dust settles in December.

Jackson had originally been planning to take his decision until the Early Signing Period that begins December 4, but had the urge to put his name on USC’s commit list early.

“He was feeling L.A,” his father added.

The Trojans beat out Alabama, Florida, Georgia and a host of other programs on this one, and were without a doubt buoyed by the current team’s defensive performances against LSU in Week 1 and Utah State on Saturday night.

They’re building one of the nation’s best linebacker classes with Jackson and four-star Matai Tagoa’i, and are also in a strong position for top-100 LB Madden Faraimo, with Notre Dame, Texas and Washington all battling as well.

Ty Jackson Recruiting Profile

Jackson is the No. 79 overall prospect and No. 6 LB in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3, however, is higher on him than other services. In the most recent On300 rankings, he was tabbed as the nation’s No. 25 overall recruit and the country’s top linebacker.

Here’s how On3’s Scouting and Rankings team breaks him down as a prospect:

“Instinctual, athletic linebacker with the skill set to excel in defending modern offenses. Measured in at 6-foot-1.25, 197 pounds with 32-inch arms and 9.25 inch hands prior at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. A sensational high school football player. Has the makings of a well-rounded linebacker. Highly instinctual. Keys and diagnoses quickly. Comfortable working in space and coverage. Had two pick-sixes as a junior. Shows outstanding play speed, with the ability to run sideline-to-sideline. Highly physical. De-cleats ball-carriers with his striking power. Effective at sifting through trafficking when defending the run. Gets skinny and bursts into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Tallied 135 tackles, two interceptions and five forced fumbles as a junior. A three-phase playmaker for his high school. Took back multiple kickoffs for touchdowns. Also shows his athleticism as a receiver. Has the speed to take a screen pass to the house from 75 yards out. Athleticism is validated in the combine setting. Will need to continue adding weight and does not have the biggest frame. A touch older for the class, turning 18 years-old in May of his junior season. A total football player with the skills, athleticism and physical mindset to be a top linebacker at the college level and beyond.”