Three USC commits named Preseason MaxPreps All-Americans

In recent days, the football landscape has been flooded once again with preseason lists, rankings, and projections of all kinds. Most of it comes on the topic of college football but there is also a bit of high school football that gets some love in the preseason talk. The yearly MaxPreps All-American lists are a common hot topic and this year’s list will sure to give USC fans something to enjoy.

In this year’s preseason All-American list, the USC Trojans had three commitments tabbed with the honor.

2024 CB Marcelles Williams

Williams was tabbed as one of four 1st Team MaxPreps All-American defensive backs. In their brief explanation of each pick, they said “played against the best competition and was the leader for one of the best secondaries in the country.” This is absolutely true as he was a leader and top playmaker for the local powerhouse St. John Bosco.

On3 Evaluation of Williams – Cody Bellaire:

“Instinctive, playmaker at the corner position. Has terrific change of direction and burst, fluidity is very apparent when forced to flip his hips. Does an excellent job working in his back pedal and driving back down to the football, closes space very quickly. Ball skills are solid, will get his hands on his fair share of passes but nothing too far out of reach from his frame. Attacks receivers at the catch point and at the line of scrimmage, not afraid to be physical. Comfortable and willing tackler around the box, likes to stick his face into traffic. Top end speed is good, not blistering but he can run with most receivers. Frame is a bit thin but not a big concern. Very high floor player here that projects to field corner, could potentially develop into a boundary corner, but his skillset fits well to the field.”

2024 OL Jason Zandamela

Zandamela, who is one of the top centers in the 2024 class, was one of five 2nd Team MaxPreps All-American offensive lineman. MaxPreps says “One of the most talented players in the trenches is just scratching the surface”, which is what WeAreSC has preached. Zandamela is still only a couple seasons into his football career overall. While centers are not ranked individually, those who have seen him up close are in agreement he is one of, if not the, top center prospects in the nation this cycle. It is not surprise he is on this list.

Zandamela’s offensive coordinator out of Clearwater Academy, Dan Meyer:

“His strengths are his athleticism and his movement abilities. But he’s got a very high football IQ and it’s just growing every day. He watches film with me. He wants to understand the big picture of why we’re doing what we’re doing and what defenses are doing. Because of that USC is viewing him as a center as somebody who can command that room and be somebody who can be somebody that the other guys can turn to when there’s any confusion. He will have the confidence and the ability to make sure he is putting his teammates in a good position.”

2025 DB Anquon Fegans

Fegans, the Trojans lone 2025 commitment can be found on the 2nd Team MaxPreps All-American defensive backs list. He is one of four names. “The top-rated safety in the Class of 2025 had 67 tackles and nine interceptions as a sophomore,” says MaxPreps. Fegans committed to USC just after his older brother, Trequon, announced he was transferring from Alabama to USC.

On3 Evaluation of Fegans– Cody Bellaire:

“Good looking build for a 2025 DB, has great length with a frame that should continue to add mass with ease. Explosive player on tape that has positional versatility. Lines up in the slot, in the boundary, as a deep half safety and as a pure center fielder. Comes downhill aggressively and is a consistent tackler. Has some power on contact and real pop in his pads. Very comfortable when the ball is in front of him as a zone defender. Triggers quickly and has immense field vision and awareness. Not sure if he has ideal top-end speed at this point to be a corner at the next level so I think safety is most likely his home, but he has the ability to hang with backs and tight ends in man coverage if asked to do so. Safety projection who will be a consistent issue for offenses around the box as a run defender and as a robber in the passing game.”