DJ Harvey Commits to USC
San Jose State defensive back transfer from Sierra Canyon HS DJ Harvey committed to USC on Saturday after his official visit. He is now signed with the Trojans for the 2025 season.
Among cornerbacks with 300 snaps in coverage this season, Harvey ranked No. 6 nationally in PFF coverage grade at 89.8 and No. 6 in yards per reception allowed at 7.6.
Also among cornerbacks with at least 500 total snaps, Harvey was tied for the No. 3 overall defense grade at 90.3 (tied with Travis Hunter, among others).
Harvey had 58 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns this season. Harvey looks like an immediate-impact guy for the Trojans if he lands at USC and one of those veteran cornerbacks who have been added to the roster each of the past few off seasons.
USC defensive back transfer signee Chasen Johnson from UCF and Harvey were the two defensive backs visiting USC this weekend, but a source tells us there are two big defensive back targets likely visiting next week.
As of now, the plan is to add three or four defensive backs from the portal. If USC gets Harvey, what we’re hearing leads us to believe Doug Belk and USC will add at least two more.
Prioritizing southern California
Although this isn’t related to any of the transfers, defensive backs coach Doug Belk has done an outstanding job since he’s arrived at USC, making sure the top prospects in southern California feel like priorities.
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If they hadn’t been contacted, he took care of that. If the Trojans hadn’t offered, he offered. If they hadn’t been frequent visitors at USC, he got them on campus for crucial one-on-one time.
Belk has put in the work necessary to keep the top lock kids home, and USC has played well enough at home this season when recruits were at the Coliseum watching. Despite a 6-6 record, what recruits have experienced on game days has been a big boost for Riley and the Trojans.
At the top of Belk’s early defensive back priority list were commits Brandon Lockhart and Madden Riordan. He then locked in communications with RJ Sermons, Davon Benjamin, Brandon Arrington and Joshua Holland.
Sermons and Holland have since committed to USC. All but Arrington and Benjamin have been regular visitors at USC. Arrington says he plans to be on campus again this Winter.
It may have taken Coach Belk a minute to get his recruiting bearings straight when he arrived in L.A., but he’s been crushing it since February.
