Two Remaining Official Visits Set for Top-100 Offensive Tackle Caleb Lomu
USC may have missed on a few of its top 2023 offensive tackle targets when 5-Star Francis Mauigoa committed to Miami and 4-Star Lucas Simmons chose Florida St., but USC has commitments 4-Star Phoenix (AZ) OT Elijah Paige, Tobias Raymond (6-6, 265) from Ventura (CA) and we’re told a “great shot” at Caleb Lomu from Highland HS in Gilbert (AZ).
On3 has Lomu ranked No. 94 overall with a possibility of moving higher at some point later this year. Although Lomu visited USC on June 9 and earned a scholarship offer from the Trojans, not much had been written about his strong USC interest until we WeAreSC visited him in August.
Two Official Visits Remain.
The talented 4-Star All-American OT took three official visits in June to Arizona (6/10), Utah (6/17) and Cal (6/24) and he plans to take his final two visits in the upcoming weeks.
Despite planning to visit Oregon earlier this month, Lomu changed his plans and visited USC the weekend the Trojans defeated ASU 42-25. Now Lomu has plans to return to USC again for an Official Visit Nov. 11-13.
“I’m taking an official to USC in two weeks (Nov. 11),” said Lomu. “I’m taking my official visit to Michigan this weekend.”
Why USC’s Firmly In The Mix
USC tight ends coach Zach Hanson was the first to spot Lomu for the Trojans while on a Spring visit to Highland, but Henson has formed a strong relationship with Lomu since.
“My dad’s cousin Deuce Lutui played at USC and was an All-American,” Lomu said. “I grew up being a USC fan and I always loved them. Lincoln Riley is a super cool dude and you can tell he knows what he’s doing. Josh Henson and I also have a great relationship.
“When I was there I got to watch film with Coach Henson and see what their scheme is like. Everything about it I just loved. I love the atmosphere, the players and the coaching staff.”
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Lincoln Riley’s Impact
“He’s pretty involved with recruiting me,” said Lomu. “Every time I’ve gotten on the phone with Coach Henson he’s put Coach Riley on. He’s busy during g Fall Camp right now, so we can’t connect every day. But he shows me they want me every time we talk.”
Most Important Aspects In Choosing A School
“Definitely the coaching staff,” Lomu said. “A coach I would want to be with for the next four to five years. I’ll be with him many hours a day, so I need a good relationship with him. It seemed like me and Josh Henson already had a connection. He’s a great coach and he’s easy to talk to. They added a new coaching staff at USC and they all said they love it there. They’re building something new and I totally believe that.
“Also the education is important. I want to get into business and they took me to the business school. I loved that too.”
Why Michigan?
“It’s kind of the same with all of my top schools,” said Lomu. “Great coaching staff, a good connection with all of the coaches and the academics at Michigan are really good. They were doing a conditioning test when I was up there for my visit and you can tell they have a really good brotherhood there.”
WeAreSC spoke to Lomu after Highland defeated Pinnacle Thursday night 25-0. We asked how his last unofficial visit impacted his USC interest and more. Prior to that visit, he wasn’t sure he’d take a USC official visit.
