USC commits and targets in the updated On300 Rankings
The updated On300 football prospect rankings for the 2023 recruiting cycle was released earlier today. USC still holds commitments from two five-star prospects. And the Trojans are chasing two more five-stars, plus a number of other recruits among the top 300 prospects in the nation.
Five-Star Commits Stay Put
This update to the rankings did not produce a ton of movement toward the top. That is especially true of USC’s two top commits.
Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Malachi Nelson remains the No. 2 overall prospect and No. 2 quarterback, just behind Arch Manning.
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch remains the No. 9 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver. If those rankings hold, it would be the second time in three years the Trojans signed two top-10 prospects in the same class. Defensive end Korey Foreman and quarterback Jaxson Dart were the Nos. 5 and 6 overall prospects in the 2021 On300 prospect rankings.
Five-Star USC Targets
USC has offered many of the 15 five-star prospects, just like almost all of the top schools. The Trojans would seem to have a real shot at landing three, and an outside shot at a fourth.
The only new five-star prospect in this update is offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. The 6-foot-5, 327-pound tackle is now the nation’s No. 14 overall recruit and No. 2 offensive tackle. On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings, Charles Power, discussed what makes Maugioa a five-star prospect.
USC also might have given itself a shot in the race for five-star EDGE prospect Nyckoles Harbor, who visited USC this past Thursday. Harbor was in town for the Mt. Sac Relays, where the 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect threw down an unbelievable 10.28 in the 100m.
USC’s Third Commit
USC holds the No. 1 spot in the team recruiting rankings on the strength of just three commitments. The third is wide receiver Makai Lemon, whose grade remained unchanged in this update. He dropped two spots, to No. 90 overall, due to movement from other prospects. He’s the nation’s No. 14 wide receiver and No. 5 prospect in the state of California.
Other USC Targets
Here is a look at where some of USC’s top targets rank in the updated On300.
No. 18 – TE Duce Robinson – USC leads at 57% in his RPM.
No. 28 – OT Markis Deal – The tackle visited USC in April and plans to return.
No. 30 – RB Cedric Baxter Jr. – Baxter has been a top USC running back target.
No. 47 – RB Rueben Owens – In-state schools will be tough to beat, but USC is taking a shot.
No. 53 – DL Matayo Uiagalelei – Could come down to Oregon – USC in a battle the Trojans have to win.
No. 73 – WR Brandon Inniss – Big-time wideout had a very good recent visit to USC.
No. 88 – OT Lucas Simmons – Huge OL target for USC is coming off a strong visit to the Trojans.
No. 94 – DL Jayden Wayne – A top USC DL target, but Miami, Oregon and the SEC are in play.
No. 107 – EDGE Malik Bryant – Alabama leads, but Jones will visit USC this summer.
No. 129 – S Vincent Holmes – USC offered the local safety back in early March. He’s a huge riser in this update, coming from outside the rankings all the way up to No. 129.
No. 130 – EDGE Tausili Akana – Is Akana a “must-get” for USC?
No. 132 – TE Walker Lyons – Lyons has been to USC several times and now has an official locked in.
No. 164 – LB Blake Nichelson – USC is doing well with Nichelson after a visit last week.
No. 178 – WR DeAndre Moore Jr. – USC is surging with Moore of late.
No. 182 – CB Rodrick Pleasant – The football and track standout was back at USC last week.
No. 206 – DL Kelze Howard – Howard spoke this spring about the family feeling at USC.
No. 215 – LB Tackett Curtis – Ohio State will be tough to beat, but USC is after Curtis hard.
No. 223 – CB Daylen Austin – The Long Beach Poly star is a big corner target for the Trojans.
No. 254 – CB Braxton Myers – Clemson leads, but USC will likely get an official visit.
No. 257 – EDGE Blake Purchase – USC is staying in the mix with Purchase, who will visit again.
No. 284 – IOL Amos Talalele – The two-way lineman has a visit set to USC in June.
