Why WeAreSC Believes Duce Robinson Signs with USC

Five-Star Tight End Duce Robinson from Pinnacle HS in Phoenix (AZ) was one of USC’s Top Priority targets for the class of 2023. He was at the top of the Trojans’s recruiting board since very early in the process.

Although an opportunity to play in Lincoln Riley’s offense and with Caleb Williams have been main attractions with USC, his relationship with Malachi Nelson, Makai Lemon and Zachariah Branch are vital….along with his relationship with Zach Hanson and Riley. 

Last Summer many of us thought Robinson could commit at any time, but he took official visits to Texas, Alabama and Georgia during the season.

Robinson took multiple visits to USC and Georgia, but hasn’t visited USC since his June 17-19 official visit. But his Pinnacle Offensive Tackle teammate Elijah Paige is enrolled. Paige says he’d recruit Robinson until he signs, which On3 announced would be happening Thursday March 30 at 6:30pm MT.

USC Trending with the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) 

USC was the heavy favorite for Robinson at one point last Summer, but Georgia took a commanding 67.1% to 23.1% lead over the Trojans earlier this year per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

There was a major shake up with the On3 RPM the past few weeks and momentum really changed for the Trojans on Wednesday March 8, when Texas Recruiting Expert Justin Wells submitted a prediction for the Trojans at 70% confidence. We submitted a USC prediction last Summer, as did On3 National Recruiting Director Chad Simmons.

As of Tuesday (3/28), Trojans now have a 68% to 19% lead over Georgia. The increase in USC’s percentage was fueled by another prediction for the Trojans. Texas is in third at 9.5%, but we believe it’s a USC vs Georgia battle. We don’t believe Texas was ever strongly considered and we’ve felt USC was always in a much stronger spot than those in the Southeast. Our USC sources never wavered with feeling good about Robinson.

2023 Poly Bowl

We had to rough it earlier this year with spending a week on Oahu for the 2023 Poly Bowl. It was that week when we began feeling USC was in a great spot with Robinson with only a few weeks left until signing day in February.

Robinson spent most of his time in Hawaii with Zachariah Branch, Malachi Nelson and Makai Lemon. Branch and Robinson were teammates, but not roommates. Branch roomed with Roderick Pleasant that week. But everything we heard after the Poly Bowl was pointing in USC’s favor, but Georgia is in a spit right now where they’ll get most of the guys they want. But they won’t get them all, as was the case with Walker Lyons.

Many reasons for USC

USC may have struggled defensively at the end of last season, but Riley’s offense was exceptionally prolific in this first season at USC. This is a huge attraction for Robinson, along with a favorable depth chart. The Trojans don’t have anyone like him on the current roster. He will get plenty of reps as a true freshman, should he announce for USC….which we believe he will.

But Robinson also likes first-year USC baseball head coach Andy Stankiewicz, who came from Grand Canyon. Stankiewicz, who has also spent time as a professional scout and minor league manager, came to USC after 11 successful seasons at Grand Canyon in which he won five regular-season Western Athletic Conference titles (2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022). He was named the conference’s Coach of the Year four times (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022).

Potential Impact with Dylan Raiola?

Robinson and Dylan Raiola have known each other for several years from when they both lived in Texas. Raiola also trains with Robinson’s father Dominic Robinson. In fact, at one time Raiola planned on playing for Robinson’s Club Baseball team. Unlike Duce, Raiola decided to focus on football and no longer plays baseball. 

“I think one of the reasons Duce and Dylan get a long so well is they’re a lot alike,” said Dominic Robinson earlier this month.

If I had to guess, and that’s all it is at this point, Robinson signing with USC will significantly enhance the Trojans’s chances with Raiola. I’ve felt for a few weeks USC was the school to beat for Raiola and still do, but he still has several official visits to take before announcing his final decision. Having Robinson on campus recruiting Raiola in Los Angeles or Athens will be huge.

The post Why WeAreSC Believes Duce Robinson Signs with USC appeared first on On3.