Who’s Left on the Board? USC Defensive Back Targets 2024
Four weeks ago Lincoln Riley and the Trojans hosted the first 12 official visitors of June (2-4). There are already seven commitments from that weekend and that number’s expected to potentially increase by three more. It’ll be challenging to get 10 of the 12, but we’ll find out in the near future.
Four-Star Safety Jarvis Boatwright, 4-Star CB Dakoda Fields, 4-Star OL Manasse Itete, 3-Star OL Hayden Treter, 4-Star TE Walter Matthews, 4-Star OLB Elijah Newby, 4-Star Edge Kameryn Fountain all committed within a few weeks of their USC official visits. That’s an exceptionally impressive number.
There have also been three verbal commitments from the June 16-18 official visit weekend. Marcelles Williams announced last Sunday, Jason Zandamela announced his pledge a few days later and Ryan Pellum announced his USC commitment on Monday afternoon
On Tuesday Riley and staff added commitments from Marquis Gallegos and Makai Saina. Those two commitments vaulted the Trojans into the Top 5 of the On3 Team Recruiting rankings. Although the Trojans missed on Silsbee (TX) WR Dre’lon Miller and will likely miss on Jasper (TX) LB Tyanthony Smith, they got what we consider a huge commitment from CB Braylon Conley.
Top Defensive Back Targets
While the list of uncommitted defensive back targets is short as of June 30, there are other targets who could enter the priority category down the road. Not likely, but always possible. We should add, the list below will be for the guys we’ve heard USC has prioritized and believes they have a shot at getting.
4-Star Cornerback Marcelles Williams – Committed USC
4-Star Cornerback Dakoda Fields – Committed USC
2024 four-star cornerback Dakoda Fields. (On3)
4-Star Cornerback Zabien Brown – Mater Dei
Zabien Brown (Photo by Chad Simmons/On3)
There are three Elite Cornerback prospects in Southern California USC should’ve prioritized and did for the 2024 Recruiting Cycle. St. John Bosco’s Marcelles Williams, Serra’s Dakoda Fields and Mater Dei’s Brown.
We don’t talk often with Brown about recruiting, but we caught up with him at a Trinity League Track event at Mater Dei HS a few weeks back. That’s when he informed WeAreSC about his official visits set for USC (June 2-4), Oregon (July 1-3), Ohio St. (June 16-18) and Alabama (June 24-26).
“Just the people there (USC), it’s a great environment and I already feel really comfortable going over there,” Brown said. “That’s also a big transition to the next level, being comfortable. It’s different at USC now. The coaches they have are great guys and there’s nowhere else like SoCal weather wise. So, there a lot of positives coming together with USC.”
It’s a USC vs Alabama battle and Brown said he’ll likely announce a school choice in mid July.
4-Star Cornerback Sione Laulea – College of San Mateo
USC has only offered a handful of junior college prospects since the arrival of Lincoln Riley, but Coach Donte Williams offered 2024 College of Mateo (CA) CB Sione Laulea on April 2.
Laulea has also recently earned offers from USC, Oregon, Miami, BYU, Penn St., Illinois, Louisville, Utah, Florida St., Iowa St., Colorado, USF and San Jose St.
The 6-4 and 185 pounder would provide a college experienced player to Williams’s defensive backs room at USC. Next season the Trojans will need younger guys to step up and replace the likes Jacobe Covington, Max Williams, Calen Bullock and Bryson Shaw.
He was scheduled to visit for the April 15 USC Spring game, but had to reschedule.
“I’m coming around June,” said Laulea.
4-Star Safety Braylon Conley – Committed USC
4-Star Safety Marquis Gallegos – Committed USC
4-Star Safety Peyton Woodyard – St. John Bosco
Peyton Woodyard (Chad Simmons/On3)
Unlike all of the other USC official visitors, Elite-Star Safety Peyton Woodyard’s already verbally committed to a school, Georgia. He announced that commitment to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs on January 7 during the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, TX.
Woodyard’s also visited USC countless times, so there’s definitely a comfort factor with the Trojans, if not a confidence factor. He told us a few weeks ago he still communicates with “everyone” at USC, so despite his commitment status, USC continued to pursue.
The USC official visit Woodyard took with LB teammate Kyngstonn Vilamu-Asa, was set up the day after the St. John Bosco College Showcase on May 9. USC coaches Donte Williams and Alex Grinch attended that event. Prior to setting up the June 9-11 USC visit, Woodyard scheduled officials to Ohio State for June 16-18 and Alabama June 23-25. He took all of them.
Why Woodyard took the USC visit?
It’s very unusual for high school football players to commit to a college program and then skip taking official visits. It’s really risky not taking these visits, because you never know what the situation at the school you’ve committed to will be come signing day in December.
So, Woodyard scheduling official visits in June was actually very normal. We asked him why he decided to take the USC official visit and what he gained from it?
“I took the visit to USC because of the relationships I have with them,” said Woodyard. “This trip was different because it was only Kyng and I. It allowed me to really connect with the entire staff. My family and I really got to know all of them this weekend . it was really intimate. They really showed me how much of a priority I am for them.”
Reflection time
Whether a recruit ends up at a school he visits or not, there are always highlights to each official visit. Moments that cause guys to reflect once they’re back home for a day or two. Woodyard shared a couple of those experiences with us.
“I walked away impressed with how quickly they are turning the program around there, especially the defensive side,” Woodyard said. “They are making positive changes.
“Also I had the chance to sit down and have breakfast with one of the greatest safeties to ever play for USC. It meant a lot to me that Coach Riley set that up withTroy Polamalu . He was able to provide invaluable information about being great on and off the field. Man, he is so genuine and real. He’s a great man. It was an honor to sit next to him and just listen and soak up everything that he was sharing.”
Points of emphasis
With Woodyard visiting USC more times than anyone not named Marcelles and DeAndre, USC had a few points of emphasis they focused on this past weekend.
“They know I’m interested in Business and also communications/sports broadcasting,” Woodyard said. “I was able to see and gain more knowledge on the Annenberg School of Communications and that was huge for me. They opened that up specifically for me.”
Lincoln Riley’s closing message
“Lincoln Riley let me know what my role would be and their need for me in the program,” said Woodyard. “Family and faith are important to him and it is absolutely important to me. My family had a great time.”
Scott’s Thoughts
We’ve believed and continue to believe that USC’s chances are far greater with Woodyard than some may think. Whether the Trojans ultimately get Woodyard or not, we can assure you he’s a top priority for USC.
The post Who’s Left on the Board? USC Defensive Back Targets 2024 appeared first on On3.
