5-Star Tight End & Center Fielder Duce Robinson Commits to USC
Five-Star Phoenix (AZ) TE Duce Robinson has been one of the Top Priority USC Targets for the class of 2023 since early in the process. And while his relationship with Malachi Nelson, Makai Lemon, Zach Branch and Lincoln Riley were vital, his relationship with USC OT and former Pinnacle teammate Elijah Paige was also significant.
On Thursday evening, Robinson announced his commitment to USC.
He chose the Trojans over Georgia and Texas.
Robinson is the third five-star commitment in USC’s 2023 recruiting class. He joins Branch and Nelson, who both finished as Five-Star Plus+ prospects. Robinson is the nation’s No. 23 overall prospect and No. 1 tight end in the 2023 On3 Industry Rankings. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound prospect is the second tight end headed to USC in this class, joining three-star Kade Eldridge.
Potential impact of commitment on 5-Star 2024 QB Dylan Raiola
Robinson and Dylan Raiola have known each other for several years and Raiola trains with Robinson’s father Dominic Robinson. In fact, at one time Raiola planned on playing for Robinson’s Club Baseball team. Unlike Duce, Raiola decided to focus on football and no longer plays baseball.
“I think one of the reasons Duce and Dylan get along so well is they’re a lot alike,” Dominic Robinson said earlier this week.
Dominic Robinson is originally from Diamond Bar (CA) and played football at Florida St. when Kirby Smart was a Graduate Assistant for Bobby Bowden.
On3 Scouting Report via Charles Power
Duce Robinson adds a fifth star, moving up to No. 21 overall in On3’s updated rankings. The Phoenix Pinnacle standout has long-been ranked as the cycle’s top tight end prospect and continued to look the part as a senior. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder had a big final prep campaign, catching 59 passes for 1,172 yards and 10 touchdowns. Robinson’s movement skills both within the route and after the catch paired with his upside in contested catch situations make him the clear top tight end prospect in the cycle, in our opinion.
