USC’s 2023 football recruiting class seen as foundation for greatness

Lincoln Riley reveres first full class, ranked No. 15 by 247Sports.com and led by Los Alamitos QB Malachi Nelson

Adam Grosbard (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — The first day of the early signing period was a pretty low-key affair for USC football. No major 11th-hour additions Wednesday, just the formality of 19 commits submitted their signed letters of intent, with four-star receiver Ja’Kobi Lane the lone holdout.

But that’s probably a fitting ending for this part of the recruiting cycle, with so many 2023 signees having bought into the vision from head coach Lincoln Riley shortly after he arrived in Los Angeles a year ago.

“These guys weren’t necessarily guys that jumped on the bandwagon late,” Riley said. “In large part, [they] believed in what we were doing from a very early time. And that means a lot to us as a staff.”

Typically, a new coaching staff can pick up some early believers in their first couple of recruiting classes. But many prospects want to see proof of concept on the field before committing their college careers to a program.

Quarterback Caleb Williams won the Heisman. He and defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu earned unanimous All-American honors. Several other players earned individual honors.

Following this level of success, Riley has noticed a different tenor to the conversations he has with targets for this cycle’s late signing period, and for the 2024 class.

“There was a still certainly wait-and-see with a number of prospects out there. Everybody sees the direction of where this is headed, they see the proof, they see the run that this team went on. And in reality, I’ll be disappointed if this isn’t the least talented team that we have in our tenure here,” Riley said. “This team has given this program a chance to really start something special here. And that’s sent a message to recruits all over the country.”

Even prior to that on-field evidence, Riley and his staff were able to construct a 2023 class that is ranked No. 15 nationally by 247Sports.com. It’s headlined by Los Alamitos quarterback Malachi Nelson, ESPN’s No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class.

“Malachi is, I’ve always thought, a really unique talent,” Riley said. “His ability to throw the ball and process at a young age, he’s certainly well ahead of his years there.”

The Trojans also added a pair of five-star receivers: Makai Lemon, Nelson’s top target at Los Alamitos, and Zachariah Branch, younger brother of USC freshman corner Zion Branch.

“That tandem right there is as good as anyone you’ll find in the country,” Riley said.

Four-star linebacker Tackett Curtis is a prospect that former Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart compared to Brian Cushing on Twitter. Curtis along with Nelson, Lemon and Branch, are among the 10 signees who will enroll early at USC for spring practices.

“There wasn’t a linebacker in the country that we wanted more than Tackett Curtis,” Riley said. “There’s not one I would take over him.”

And Riley says he and his staff will always be grateful for this group that believed early on that his success at Oklahoma would translate to USC. That kind of blue-chip commitment, along with an 11-win season, are the kind of building blocks Riley can use to take his program to the next level.

“I think it sends a message to other players across the country that these guys kinda planted their flag in the ground and say, ‘I’m going to do this at USC,’” Riley said. “I think that helps brings others around for the ride.”

Briefly

USC offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees (undisclosed) and wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) will not play against Tulane in next month’s Cotton Bowl, Riley said Wednesday. Vorhees, a senior, will turn his attention to the NFL draft. Riley did not disclose whether Addison would be turning pro after his junior season.

USC 2023 early signing class

(Rankings by 247Sports.com composites)

OL Micah Banuelos, Kennedy Catholic (Wash.), 6-2, 290 (3 stars)

WR Zachariah Branch, Bishop Gorman (Nev.), 5-10, 172 (5 stars)

CB Maliki Crawford, Pacifica, 6-3, 180 (4 stars)

LB Tackett Curtis, Many (La.), 6-2, 224 (4 stars)

ATH Kade Eldridge, Lynden Christian (Wash.), 6-4, 235 (3 stars)

DL Sam Greene, St. Frances Academy (Md.), 6-1, 265 (3 stars)

DL Elijah Hughes, Washington-Liberty (Va.), 6-2, 265 (3 stars)

RB Quinten Joyner, Manor (Tex.), 5-11, 203 (4 stars)

DL Deijon Laffitte, Ontario Colony, 6-3, 285 (3 stars)

WR Makai Lemon, WR, Los Alamitos, 6-0, 180 (5 stars)

QB Malachi Nelson, Los Alamitos, 6-3, 182 (5 stars)

OL Alani Noa, Grant Union, 6-4, 320 (3 stars)

OL Elijah Paige, Pinnacle (Ariz.), 6-7, 304 (4 stars)

EDGE David Peevy, San Diego Lincoln, 6-4, 230 (3 stars)

RB A’Marion Peterson, Hirschi (Tex.), 6-0, 200 (4 stars)

S Christian Pierce, Rancho Cucamonga, 6-2, 180 (3 stars)

OT Tobias Raymond, Ventura, 6-7, 270 (3 stars)

EDGE Braylan Shelby, Friendswood (Tex.), 6-4, 235 (4 stars)

OL Amos Talalele, Santa Clara, 6-5, 330 (3 stars)

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