As expected, the first full year of recruiting at USC for Lincoln Riley has not disappointed and may have even exceeded expectations. With having a lot of players recruited by the previous coaching staff entering the transfer portal, there was a lot of holes to fill on the roster and to this point Lincoln Riley has filled 32 of them. Still understanding that to build a foundation at a program to create sustained success, USC decided to take 20 high school commitments while leaving the last 12 scholarships to transfers. The consensus around most college football buildings is that most transfer portal commits are taken with the idea that they can be upgrades at those positions and USC has shown that they are committed to following that ideology.
Most Underrated: Jamil Muhammad
Linebacker, Georgia State University (Transfer)
A transfer commit from Georgia State for Lincoln Riley and his Trojans is not getting the recognition that it should be. Jamil Muhammad, who played last season as an EDGE rusher for Georgia State and displayed a very good ability to rush the passer. Showed quick feet and suddenness as he approached the blocker’s striking distance before using his lateral agility and hands to avoid him all together or strike the blockers chest and accelerate with good leverage through him. Regardless of his choice of pass rushing move, he kept offensive lineman guessing due to his variety of moves he could choose from and no matter what offenses tried to do to limit him, he found a way to be disruptive. Will surely need some time to become comfortable with his new team but will definitely be someone disrupting Pac-12 QBs this upcoming season.
The Jamil Muhammad Game.#GSUFootball pic.twitter.com/aJJ7fKRP9v
— THERSday Night Podcast (@THERSdayNight) November 27, 2021
Best Get: Zachariah Branch
Wide Receiver, Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, NV)
Of all 32 commits in the 2023 class the best get is Zachariah Branch. Aligns in the slot and displays elite suddenness, causing defenders to play off him. Utilizes his very good acceleration to get into his route stem and reach his very good top end speed. With that mix of athleticism, he is able to create separation through his route running or just his pure athleticism. Shows good ball skills and ability to track the deep ball while staying smooth as he runs. Once the ball is in his hands defenders panic as they attempt to close on him quickly but with suddenness to make defenders miss and use of speed and elite COD when eluding, it becomes difficult to get a hand on him. Will be a guy expected to be an impact player on Saturdays from day one.
Separation is created at the top of the route. Filthy route by #USC commit Zachariah Branch (@zachariahb03) #FightOn pic.twitter.com/FnM7rGxBlN
— Cory Yates (@CoryRAanalytics) June 30, 2022
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Best Out-of-State: Tackett Curtis
Linebacker, Many High School (Many, LA)
Without a doubt the best out of state get in this 2023 class for USC is the highly sought after Tackett Curtis out of Louisiana. Arguably the best linebacker in the entire class, Tackett displays the athleticism to play sideline to sideline with the most athletic ball carriers in college football and has the contact courage and violence to knock anyone’s top off. Also played QB for his high school and it is safe to say he was about 90% of his team’s success and production on both sides of the ball. With USC’s LB room still in need for higher caliber players, Tackett will be someone who it wouldn’t be surprising to see getting significant reps year one.
Sideline to sideline @curtis_tackett #ManyMade? pic.twitter.com/iK3n9gmExA
— Jess Curtis (@coach_jcurtis) November 23, 2022
Best In-State: Malachi Nelson
Quarterback, Los Alamitos High School (Los Alamitos, CA)
Staying true to recruiting talent in their home state, Lincoln Riley went out and got a commitment from Malachi Nelson out of Los Alamitos. He is a QB that can deliver on time throws with a quick release and good ball placement to give his receiver a chance to make a play on the ball. Shows the ability to attack all three levels of the defense which makes it difficult for opposing defensive coordinators to slow him down. Displays very good arm strength through his what looks like effortless ability to push the ball 50 yards down the field accurately. Shows poise in the pocket by working around the pressure and only leaving when he has no other choice. Able to throw on the run with accuracy consistently and when forced to tuck and run it is no easy task for defense to get him on the ground once he gets going. As of right now it seems Malachi is heir to the QB throne once Caleb Williams takes his talents to the NFL after this season.
Its Playoff time ? and @LosAlFootball is the #4 seed in the toughest bracket in America! We also won our League Championship, going undefeated for the 3rd straight year. Season Stats: 2,626 (16 yards per comp) 35 TD’s (2 Rushing) 3int’s 68% comp pic.twitter.com/9yz9iRjYFq
— malachi nelson (@Malachi) November 4, 2022
