Jason Zandamela’s HC breaks down what USC is getting, everything Trojans have to offer

USC reeling in four-star offensive lineman Jason Zandamela is one of the top recruiting jobs of the summer by Lincoln Riley, Josh Henson, and the rest of the staff. The addition will be a big time one for the future.

WeAreSC spoke with Zandamela’s head coach out of Clearwater Academy, Dan Meyer. He broke down what USC is getting in Zandamela, who he is as a person and athlete, and also goes in-depth on why USC won this recruitment.

There is a lot of really good information here that gives you a good idea of why the Trojans are so hot on the recruiting trail right now.

First and foremost, Meyer spoke about what kind of person and athlete Zandamela is. He has nothing but high praise for his character, his athletic ability, and the way he has handled his life.

“Jason is a really mature, focused, charismatic young man. I mean, this is a kid from Mozambique, Africa, as everybody knows now. But he hasn’t lived at home in almost five years. He’s spent two years at a boarding school in South Africa before coming here where he is going into his third year. So I think there’s a level of maturity that comes with it and it’s been goal driven. It’s been future driven where he’s had to grow up in a hurry.”

Zandamela is the No. 4 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class. You would never know that football is still a relatively new part of his life.

“He got here the fall of 2020 and he’d never seen football in his life. He’d never played football in his life. His background is rugby and he’s taken our coaching and he’s run with it. He’s worked incredibly hard to become the player he is today. And he’s blessed to have great length and athleticism, but that’s something that he’s really worked at during his time here to become the player he is now.”

I noted in Zandamela’s commitment evaluation that his athleticism is very impressive. But Meyer was able to give more of a in-depth breakdown of the role Zandamela can play for an offense.

“His strengths are his athleticism and his movement abilities. But he’s got a very high football IQ and it’s just growing every day. He watches film with me. He wants to understand the big picture of why we’re doing what we’re doing and what defenses are doing. Because of that USC is viewing him as a center as somebody who can command that room and be somebody who can be somebody that the other guys can turn to when there’s any confusion. He will have the confidence and the ability to make sure he is putting his teammates in a good position.”

The reason USC won over Zandamela (and others)

Several visitors have discussed their experiences on this months visit weekends after seeing the coaching and recruiting staffs rolling out the red carpet for the recruits and their families.

Meyer gave a detailed review about why these visits are resonating so well.

“Miss Annie and her team crush it first and foremost. Everything is planned to the tees. But I think the biggest thing is just getting to see the real side of these coaches. You know, recruiting visits can be very artificial. Getting to spend time with the coaches and everyone talks about Coach Riley’s house with a luau, and it’s a really cool scene but it’s Coach Riley’s house. You know, like those types of things where you’re able to be yourselves and the environment is cool.”

But I think just for the kids to be able to sit and be with these coaches. You’re not sitting in a meeting room, you’re not in the office. You’re spending time in these cool environments that USC can provide, whether it’s Coach Riley’s house overlooking the ocean or a boat. You’re able to really experience these coaches and learn who they are as people and spend time with them as normal people.”

The presentations might be the best in the country right now

“I think that’s what really blew Jason away and then getting to talk to Chris Carter and then hear the panel of the alumni and how passionate Riley is about USC and those guys coming back. Like their passion for this university I think really resonated with Jason because it shows that this isn’t just a program that you play in and then you go on and you forget about. Like once you’re part of that Trojan family, you truly are a Trojan for life.”

Year 2 of the Riley era has a different feel to it

This weekend was not the first time Meyer was able to experience an official visit trip at USC. Meyer actually tagged along with Lucas Simmons last year before he decided on Florida State. He says Riley and his staff have a different feel to them, which is turning into success.

“They’re more confident in LA, in USC, and in the program. Like you can feel their confidence in the job that they’re doing.”

Zandamela is the kind of kid USC is looking for

Meyer says it did not surprise him Lucas Simmons ended up at Florida State last year. He says Simmons is not as nearly outgoing or open as Zandamela is, which allows him to be comfortable with moving from Florida to California in the big city environment.

“I think it does take a different kind of kid to want to go into that program, into that city.“

“For Jason it was a business decision and when you combine the opportunities there are in the football program with the alumni base and the marketing of LA. And like I told him ‘you’re gonna be going to school with some of the smartest people in the country. Like what a great opportunity for you to build relationships with people who aren’t in the program’.”

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