BREAKING: 4-Star WR Ja'Kobi Lane Commits to USC
USC didn’t offer 4-Star Mesa (AZ) Wide Receiver Ja’Kobi Lane until August 1, but his interest was extremely high in the Trojans well before the offer came. On Friday Lane announced his USC commitment.
Why Ja’Kobi Lane Chose USC?
“I’ve definitely realized the relationship I’ve built with USC is something very strong,” said Lane. “For the path I want to take with my life, that school is a place I could thrive at and do well at. Especially with the position I play, of course. Them having high draft picks at wide receiver with the same body type I have is a big factor. It’s just a really good fit for me.
“I talk to Coach Lincoln (Riley) almost every day and we have a really good relationship. The relationship is steadily growing and I talk to a lot of coaches at USC. It’s something strong.
“The things USC shows for me is it’s a place I’d thrive at and it’s not a place I need to play right away. I’ll compete to play right away, but I’m okay waiting for my time. It’s a great system to thrive in and I’ll be around others helping me. The guys on the other side of the ball like Domani Jackson and the competition I’d go against every day will make me better.
“Let me say this, I think I can compete in any wide receiver room I’m in. But I definitely want to develop as a wide receiver and a young man. USC is the most applicable option to develop as a playmaker.”
Dennis Simmons and Luke Huard
“I talk to both equally, but Coach Simmons is the coach I’d really be working with,” Lane said. “But I do talk to Coach Huard a lot. You can definitely tell Coach Simmons isn’t going to lie to you and tell you what you want to hear. He says the sooner guys realize the goal is to get better and become an elite playmaker at wide receiver, USC is the spot. He (Simmons) also develops guys who want to win.
“The guys who are dedicated and put in the hard work, get the ball (at USC).”
Lincoln Riley’s Impact
“You can tell a lot of coaches are one way on social media and a different way in real life,” Lane said. “Coach Riley is the laid back and straightforward guy everything sees. He’s definitely a people’s person, he knows how to talk to you and he’s genuine. He doesn’t put on an act for recruits or players on the team. It’s a genuine interaction every time.”
Taking Nothing for Granted
Despite Lane an impressively natural pass catcher, he works extremely hard daily to improve that ability. Much like Amon-Ra St. Brown did at USC and still does as a professional.
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“Whenever I reach out and feel that ball, it’s just a tight squeeze and I’m catching it every time,” said Lane. “I have the Jugs Machine at my house and I’m on it every day and night. Seeing the ball come out of the machine looks a little bit like it does commit out of the quarterback’s hand. I’ve become really good at repping the little things.
“The crazy part is to look back to my freshman year and compare it to where I am now. It’s two different Ja’Kobis and I think about where I’ll be a few years from now.”
