Most important visitors at USC Spring Game

Today is April 15, which means we have finally arrived at the peak of spring for USC as the Trojans will be playing their spring game this afternoon. The spring game is crucial for the current team as it can give a good indication of what the 2023 season could look like. It is also crucial because it is a popular and valuable recruiting event.

Yesterday, WeAreSC put out the expected visitors list, a short but talented group. Now, I will give my thoughts on which recruits on campus are the most important to have a good day. Importance could come from ranking, positional need, geographical relevance, among other things.

2024 Longview (Tex.) RB Taylor Tatum (No. 2 RB)

I wrote yesterday about Tatum and his expectations at today’s USC spring game, as well as his upcoming official visit to Los Angeles. Tatum is an absolute priority for USC in this cycle. He is pegged as the No. 1 running back in the nation by numerous college programs, one of which seems to be the Trojans. Not only is his talent needed on the roster, but Lincoln Riley scoring a big win in Texas would be monumental. He is in town this weekend with family, who will also be taking in the action and spending time with coaches.

2024 Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra CB Dakoda Fields (No. 11 CB)

The future is extremely bright on the offensive side of the ball but it is the defensive side that needs some shoring up. Landing a top-100 ranked defensive back would be a good start to that. This recruitment looks to be a battle against Oregon, so winning a west coast battle would be a good look. USC will look to have Field leaning to the Trojans after this weekend.

2024 Hiram (Ga.) TE Walter Matthews (No. 8 TE)

In my opinion, elite teams are often separated by a few positions of elite play. One of them is having a dominant and reliable tight end. Having a mismatch tight end might can be the most important position on the field for top teams. Matthews is 6-foot-7, 245 pounds before his senior season. After landing No. 1 TE Duce Robinson in the 2023 class, another top tight end would be amazing for USC.

2025 Pittsburg (Calif.) S Jadyn Hudson (No. 2 S)

Again, elite defensive play is a must for USC in the future, especially when looking forward to the BIG 10 conference. Hudson will be in the middle of a national recruitment, so keeping one in state against some heavy hitters will be a good sign and should send waves to other recruits in the state. Hudson is a 2025 prospect, but he is a top-30 prospect, so he is of the utmost importance.

2025 Mission Viejo (Calif.) CB Dijon Lee (No. 5 CB)

The importance for Lee can essentially be copy and pasted from Hudson. An elite 2025 defensive back, except Lee is less than 50 miles away from campus, which makes him an even bigger ‘must land’. At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Lee is the prototype cornerback USC will need for the future.

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