Oregon, USC set to do battle for numerous top 2024 prospects
Despite the fact that Oregon and USC will head their separate ways when the Trojans exit the Pac-12 in 2024, there’s no shortage of recruiting battles the two programs will match up in.
For the better part of the last 15 years, the Ducks and Trojans have dominated recruiting in the state of California, regularly going toe-to-toe over some of its top prospects. And with two elite recruiters leading both programs, that isn’t going to change — even when their conference affiliations do. In the 2023 cycle, Oregon got the best of their southern rivals, plucking four-stars Rodrick Pleasant and Matayo Uiagalelei from USC’s backyard at the end of the year.
Will it be more of the same in 2024, or will Lincoln Riley and Co. lock down the borders and keep a very good class at home? As the battles heat up, let’s take a look at five recruitments to keep an eye on.
Top recruitments to watch
4-star OT Brandon Baker
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 50
School: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
On3 NIL Valuation: $60K
It’s been seven years since the state of California last produced a five-star offensive tackle, but Baker has a chance to break that streak. Both the Ducks and Trojans have made him a top priority since their coaching staffs took over last year, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if it ultimately came down to those two schools. Oregon has had the most buzz in recent months, according to On3’s Chad Simmons, but Mater Dei is a very USC-friendly school, and the Trojans’ proximity to home means they have a chance to get him on campus often.
4-star WR Ryan Pellum
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 55
School: Long Beach (Calif.) Millikan
On3 NIL Valuation: $76K
Early in his recruitment, Pellum wasn’t a high priority for Riley and his staff, but that has changed in the New Year. Although the Trojans didn’t make his top five list (Oregon did), Riley stopped by Pellum’s school in January, and he’s expected to visit the Trojans next month. There are some other out-of-state contenders, but the Trojans’ and Ducks’ offenses this year could help them make a major move as he narrows down to a final decision.
4-star DL Aydin Breland
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 71
School: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
On3 NIL Valuation: $52K
Breland is another stud out of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei that has interest from across the country. USC, Oregon, Colorado, Ohio State, LSU and more are involved. The Trojans have gotten him on campus the most of any program thus far, and they’ve been in his ear about staying close to home.
“They tell me I’m one of their top guys and that they want to keep me at home to play,” Breland said this fall. “I wouldn’t necessarily say staying home is a big priority, but it’s a great option. I’m a southern California kid and it would always be great to stay home and play ball at the next level.”
4-star CB Dakoda Fields
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 87
School: Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra
On3 NIL Valuation: $57K
The Trojans struck out in 2023 with their top cornerback target out of Junipero Serra, Rodrick Pleasant, but are hoping for better luck this time around with Fields. Colorado, Washington and Ohio State are among the programs most involved with him, and he has been a regular on USC’s campus over the past year.
4-star RB Nathaniel Frazier
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 138
School: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
On3 NIL Valuation: $28K
Few prospects have seen their stock jump quite as much as Frazier, who has added a bunch of offers in December and January — and figures to add more going forward. He has already built strong relationships with USC’s Kiel McDonald and Oregon’s Carlos Locklyn. But they’ll have to fight off programs from around the country looking to steal one of California’s best.