BREAKING: 2024 OT Justin Tauanuu commits to USC
USC has landed a commitment from one of their top remaining targets in the 2024 class as Huntington Beach (Calif.) three-star offensive tackle Justin Tauanuu announced his pledge to the Trojans via social media.
The decision comes roughly 12 hours after Tauanuu backed off his commitment to Stanford. He had been committed to the Cardinal since June.
Tauanuu is the nation’s No. 536 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is the No. 34 offensive tackle in the cycle and the No. 40 player from California.
The Trojans offered Tauanuu back in May and immediately emerged as a top contender for his commitment. Despite this, he would commit to Stanford over the Trojans. However, this fall, offensive line coach Josh Henson managed to get Tauanuu to Los Angeles on three separate occasions, including an official visit in October.
His most recent was last weekend for the matchup against Washington. USC began to trend to flip the Huntington Beach standout away from Stanford.
Tauanuu currently holds 13 offers in his recruitment. Those offers came from USC, Stanford, Washington, UCLA, Texas, Nebraska, Arizona State, California, Oregon State, Washington State, BYU, and Massachusetts.
USC’s 2024 class now has four offensive lineman committed. Clearwater Academy International’s Jason Zandamela, Arlington Martin’s Makai Saina, Cherry Creek’s Hayden Treter, and Tauanuu make up the group.
More on USC’s 2024 class
With the addition of Tauanuu, USC’s verbal commits now include TE Walter Matthews, WR Ryan Pellum, OLB Elijah Newby, WR Xavier Jordan, EDGE Kameryn Fountain, TE Joey Olsen, Safety Jarvis Boatwright Jr., OL Makai Saina, Safety Marquis Gallegos, RB Bryan Jackson, OT Hayden Treter, CB Marcelles Williams, CB Braylon Conley, DL Deyvid Palepale, CB Isaiah Rubin and OL Jason Zandamela.
USC now holds 17 commitments. The class currently ranks No. 18 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Tauannus’s pledge could give the Trojans a bump.
USC is sitting at No. 13 in the country in average prospect rating. The Trojans have an average commit rating of 90.31 prior to the new addition.
USC comes in at No. 5 in the BIG 10 rankings. They remain behind Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan.
With a score of 90.268, the Trojans are just behind Michigan, which has a score of 91.047.
USC is third in the Big 10 in average prospect rating.
