USC Football Recruiting 2018: 5 most important commits for Trojans
With National Signing Day just days away, we look at the five most important commits in the USC recruiting class.
Another year, another crop of blue-chip prospects in Southern California. With head coach Clay Helton leading the charge in one of the most talent-rich areas of the country, the 2018 USC recruiting class currently ranks No. 11 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings. However, the Trojans are probably worthy of an even higher spot. Though Helton has just 14 players on his list, which is fewer than any program ranked higher, the average grade of each signed and committed prospect, USC actually ranks No. 3 behind Ohio State and Georgia.
If the class holds its lofty status, it would be the fifth consecutive season in which the Trojans win the Pac-12 recruiting ranking title.
5. Chase Williams, Cornerback
Listed as an athlete by some recruiting athletes because he was a playmaker on both sides of the ball in high school, Chase Williams is most likely to play defense for the Trojans. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Williams has the size to play safety or corner, and though he isn’t a burner, he has enough speed to cover receivers on the outside.
Williams is ranked No. 138 overall and No. 16 among cornerback prospects in the 247Sports Composite. The Corona native chose USC over Nebraska, UCLA, Washington, Ohio State and Notre Dame, among others.
4. Justin Dedich, Center
Needs change from year to year at most positions, but college football teams can never have too many offensive linemen. Centers are also particularly underrated. Fortunately for the Trojans, who must replace starting center Nico Falah in 2018, USC signed Justin Dedich. Ranked No. 110 overall and No. 2 among high school center prospects, Dedich is a talented lineman with a bright future. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, the four-star prospect might need some time to develop physically, but he has the skill to become a fixture.
3. Palaie Gaoteote, Linebacker
On to the five-stars. Palaie Gaoteote signed with USC out of Las Vegas (though he is a Hawaii native) as the No. 1 inside linebacker recruit in the nation. Ranked No. 15 overall in the 247Sports Composite, Gaoteote is a special talent. The U.S. Army All-American Game participant is quick to the point of attack with good technique and a high football IQ.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound tackling machine is a prototypical middle linebacker but is also versatile enough to play on the outside. Gaoteote should find an instant role on special teams and might also work himself into what is already a solid linebacker rotation.
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown is arguably the best overall player in the class, pound-for-pound. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound receiver comes in ranked No. 11 overall, No. 2 among high school wideouts nationally, and as the No. 1 player from the state of California.
Though he doesn’t have blazing speed in the 40-yard dash, St, Brown is an explosive playmaker who can stretch a defense vertically. He gets to top speed quickly, can make any catch, and plays with extreme confidence. Simply, he’s one of the best all-around prospects in the nation and a potential program cornerstone.
1. J.T. Daniels, Quarterback
St. Brown might be a special athlete, but solidifying the quarterback position is more important to the USC football program. As a result, five-star QB J.T. Daniels — ranked No. 16 overall in the Composite and No. 6 by 247Sports itself — gets the nod as the No. 1 player on our list. Interestingly enough, Daniels and St. Brown already have chemistry. The two were teammates at Mater Dei High School.
Next: National Signing Day: 10 diamonds in the rough
Daniels was originally committed to the Trojans as a member of the 2019 class but reclassified to get to campus a year early. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Daniels still has room to grow physically, but he has huge potential. He’s the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the country and has a strong and accurate arm worthy of that standing.