Here are 12 top recruits in the class of 2024 that USC is targeting who could help turn the tide of the Trojans’ defensive recruiting woes
USC took some heat for signing a 2023 high school recruiting class that finished ranked outside the top ten nationally and was also light on defensive recruits.
The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman wrote after National Signing Day: “The depth of the [USC] class was lacking and there wasn’t enough talent on the lines or on defense.”
One reason that USC struggled to recruit on defense in the 2023 cycle was because some top recruits wondered what the future of the Trojans’ defensive staff will look like. USC was horrific on defense to end the 2022 season, but Lincoln Riley elected to bring every defensive staff member back for 2023. Will he do that again a year from now if his team’s defense has similar issues this season? It’s unlikely.
Time will tell if premier 2024 defensive recruits feel the same way as some in the 2023 class did.
Below are 12 blue chip recruits in the class of 2024 that USC is targeting who could help turn the tide of the Trojans’ defensive recruiting woes. They’re listed in order of 247Sports.com’s recruiting rankings.
DL Williams Nwaneri – Lees Summit, Mo.
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 5-star prospect, No. 3 nationally
Primary recruiter: Roy Manning
DL Elijah Rushing – Tucson, Ariz.
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 5-star prospect, No. 10 nationally
Primary recruiters: Roy Manning and Shaun Nua
DL Colin Simmons – Duncanville, Texas
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 23 nationally
Primary recruiter: Roy Manning
DL KingJoseph Edwards – Hoschton, Ga.
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 25 nationally
Primary recruiter: Roy Manning
CB Charles Lester III – Sarasota, Fla.
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 31 nationally
Primary recruiter: Donté Williams
S Tylen Singleton – Many, La.
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 51 nationally
Primary recruiter: Alex Grinch
DL Justin Scott – Chicago
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 57 nationally
Primary recruiter: Shaun Nua
CB Bryce West – Cleveland, Ohio
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 60 nationally
Primary recruiter: N/A
LB Justin Williams – Conroe, Texas
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 63 nationally
Primary recruiter: Brian Odom
CB Marcelles Williams – Bellflower, Calif.
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 69 nationally
Primary recruiter: Donté Williams
LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa – Bellflower, Calif.
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 71 nationally
Primary recruiter: Brian Odom
DL Hevin Brown-Shuler – Atlanta
247Sports.com recruiting ranking: 4-star prospect, No. 85 nationally
Primary recruiter: Shaun Nua
