USC 2024 early enrollees arrive on campus
Many of the newest group of USC Trojans officially got started this week as the 2024 early enrollees hit campus and this semester’s classes started on Monday.
There are a significant number of new arrivals who are scheduled to take part in spring ball with the Trojans. That large group is both beneficial and absolutely necessary as USC lost a significant number of players to graduation, the NFL Draft and the transfer portal this offseason.
Here’s a look at the scheduled arrivals.
2024 USC Recruiting Class
Offensive line
Kalolo Ta’aga, Justin Tauanuu, Jason Zandamela
Ta’aga and Tauanuu are incredibly intriguing developmental prospects. Ta’aga especially, as he is brand new to football and has some physical tools that hint at big-time potential if everything comes together. Zandamela could be USC’s center of the future (and that future might not be too many years away). He’s USC’s No. 2-ranked prospect in this signing class and was the No. 2 interior lineman in the 2024 recruiting class.
Running back
Jackson’s path to playing time doesn’t seem easy as a true freshman. But at this point, the 6-foot, 200-pound back is, at worst, USC’s No. 4 running back this spring, which should get him plenty of reps and speed his development.
Tight end
Olsen looks like he could flex between a tight end and big receiver, so that Y position in this offense could be a good fit. He’ll get a head start on fellow tight ends Walker Lyons and Walter Matthews, who will get to USC for the fall. And if Lake McRee is slowed at all in his return due to the injury he suffered during bowl prep, Olsen could be pretty busy this spring.
Wide receiver
USC’s wide receivers numbers are down right now as the Trojans search the transfer portal. There are just five returning scholarship wide receivers, which means Jordan should get plenty of opportunities to make an early impact this spring.
Defensive line
Jide Abasiri, Lorenzo Cowan, Kameryn Fountain
Fountain is one of the big names in the recruiting class and he’s coming off a solid week at the All-American Bowl. He and Cowan will be added to a really talented group of edge defenders for the Trojans. Abasiri was a late addition as a flip from Minnesota. He won’t be expected to play extensively as a true freshman in the interior of the defensive line, but every big man in that front seven will have extra attention paid to them as the Trojans look to work that group up to where it needs to be.
Linebacker
Elijah Newby, Desman Stephens II
Newby has the chance to be a tremendous player, but both of these additions are players you don’t want to undersell on their opportunities as true freshmen. It wouldn’t be all that surprising if either factored in on special teams, and this extra spring ball should benefit them down the line.
Defensive back
Jarvis Boatwright, Marquis Gallegos, Marcelles Williams
There will be significant turnover in the USC secondary as far as starters go, but the Trojans have some veteran options both in returners and incoming transfers. Williams is someone to watch at cornerback as one of the most polished recruits in this class.
2024 Transfer Class
Defensive line
Clifton arrives from Vanderbilt with one year of eligibility remaining. He was a team captain for the Commodores last season and brings some positional versatility along the defensive line.
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Linebacker
For the third year in a row, a transfer portal addition will be expected to start and become something of a team leader at inside linebacker. Mascarenas-Arnold was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023, finishing the season with 107 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Mascarenas-Arnold will have one season of eligibility remaining after playing three years at Oregon State.
Defensive back
John Humphrey, DeCarlos Nicholson, Kamari Ramsey, Akili Arnold
The Trojans bring back some really talented pieces in the secondary, including cornerback Jacobe Covington and safety Zion Branch (plus a number of others). But these are four experienced, productive pieces coming into the secondary who could grab four starting spots. Nicholson and Humphrey are 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-2 cornerbacks, respectively with one year of eligibility remaining. Arnold also has one season remaining at safety, while Ramsey has three. Arnold and Ramsey were the Nos. 2 and 3 graded safeties in the Pac-12 for the 2023 season by PFF.
Running back
Marks has one year of eligibility remaining after a very productive career at Mississippi State. He totaled 624 offensive touches for 3,108 yards and 27 touchdowns in four years with the Bulldogs. He had 214 receptions in that time and is capable both as a runner and receiver. USC has a significant hole at the top of the depth chart and in terms of veteran leadership at running back after losing MarShawn Lloyd, Austin Jones and Darwin Barlow this offseason.
Wide receiver
As mentioned above, USC’s wide receivers are going to get plenty of work this spring simply due to numbers. Richardson is a big, 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver who has two years of eligibility remaining. At this point, there isn’t a scholarship receiver on the roster who won’t have a shot at significant playing time this fall. Richardson will certainly show up with something to prove, making the move to USC from Division III Tufts University.
Long Snapper
Pepper comes to USC from Michigan State and will take over as the Trojans’ long snapper. He’s a talent at the position and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Note on the transfer players: Clifton, Mascarenas-Arnold, Ramsey and Pepper are the only four USC has officially announced as signed. USC can also bring in addition transfers who can participate in spring ball, provided they enroll in classes by the deadline to enroll, which is in late January.
