USC's Outliers in updated rankings across industry

On3 released its final On300 rankings for the 2024 recruiting class on Monday, which saw significant changes for USC signees. Along with those changes, there are a handful of prospect who are considered “outliers” in the rankings.

An outlier is a prospect who has a much different ranking by one recruiting service compared to other three. In this case, all the outliers are higher in that one ranking than the others.

Elijah Newby – Linebacker

Highest National Ranking: No. 66 (On3)
Next Highest Ranking: No. 238 (247)

Newby is the easiest one in this class to label as a “freak”. He’s 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, runs a 4.45 and jumps a 40-inch vertical. He also run a 10.6 in the 100 meter. He’s a physical specimen. He will play outside linebacker for USC but has been playing wide receiver, linebacker, and safety in high school, so he has proven his versatility. His body and abilities will be able to put to use on day one.

Jide Abasiri – Defensive Line

Highest National Ranking: No. 119 (On3)
Next Highest Ranking: N/A

“Jide Abasiri was a late flip to USC from Minnesota and it’s easy to see why the Trojans were so eager to flip the interior defensive lineman from Prior Lake, MN. The 6-foot-5, 280 pound Abasiri boasts a nearly 7-foot wingspan and has tremendous body control and balance for someone with his stature. Combine that with his short area quickness, ability to understand leverage and hand usage and you have an absolute monster along the interior. His multi-sport background in wrestling and track and field is on full display when watching his senior film. He will continue to physically develop at the collegiate level and has one of the higher ceilings of any player in the country.” — On3 Rankings and Scouting Assistant Cody Bellaire

Walter Matthews – Tight End

Highest National Ranking: No. 97 (ESPN)
Next Highest Ranking: No. 203 (On3)

Large-bodied offensive mismatch whose athleticism for his size allows him to separate from defenders with ease. Tremendous build and frame. Strong hands at the catch point. Bouncy on the hardwood and shows explosiveness and body control. Need to see some development in his route running and hip fluidity, but has immense potential and upside.

Jason Zandamela – Offensive Line

Highest National Ranking: No. 46 (247)
Next Highest Ranking: No. 135 (ESPN)

If there a player in this class I am the highest on, it is Zandamela. In my opinion, he’s the best interior offensive lineman in the country. His senior film is just pancake after pancake. He also shows athleticism by pulling and getting to second level with ease. And he looks smooth when doing it, even at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. Watching offensive line film can be boring at times, until an absolute mauler comes up. There is nothing like watching an offensive lineman just clear paths and flatten defenders.

Desman Stephens – Linebacker

Highest National Ranking: No. 300 (On3)
Next Highest Ranking: N/A

His size at 6-foot-2.5, 225 pounds lends his abilities to be used at all three levels of the defense. Playing in the middle of the defense, Stephens can play the run, play the pass, but he can also rush the passer. “Fast forward to his senior season and you see some more positional versatility with him. He’s still making plays off the edge and as a free blitzer, but they are also allowing him to line up as a true middle backer and as a deep,” On3’s evaluators wrote on Stephens.

Makai Saina – Offensive Line

Highest National Ranking: No. 290 (ESPN)
Next Highest Ranking: N/A

If you were to see Saina on the street, you would not think much of him, even at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds. He is also pretty quiet guys who like to chill and will not have a super loud personality. But on the field, he becomes a force. There is nothing quiet about his play. USC feels Saina was one of the best they watched during the season, despite his low rankings by recruiting services.