Ja'Kobi Lane Reaffirms Commitment, Signs with USC Trojans
USC’s one loose end from the early signing period got tied up Wednesday as wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane signed with the Trojans. There was zero suspense for this one, as Lane showed up to his signing ceremony wearing a USC shirt and sat at a table adorned with Trojans’ signage.
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound, four-star receiver initially committed to USC in August but then received a significant recruiting push from other programs, especially Arizona State and Texas.
Lane didn’t sign with USC during the early period, but never decommitted and never officially visited elsewhere after December. He took his official visit to USC in January and is now locked in.
Lane is the nation’s No. 334 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Consensus, but the No. 264 overall recruit in the 2023 On3 Rankings.
He is a monster in the air on contested passes and always shined brightly against elite competition in 7-on-7 passing tournaments.
Lane did a bit of everything for his Red Mountain team during the 2022 season. He lead the Mountain Lions with 65 receptions for 823 yards and 11 touchdowns. He carried the ball 15 times for 38 yards. And he completed two of three passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
USC’s 2023 Recruiting Class
Lane gives the Trojans three extremely talented wide receivers in this 2023 class. And all bring very different skill sets to the roster.
Five-Star Plus+ receiver Zachariah Branch is the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect and No. 1 receiver. Four-star Makai Lemon is the No. 37 overall prospect and No. 6 receiver.
Lane certainly isn’t worried about joining a talented receiver class and a roster with plenty of good receivers already on it.
“Let me say this,” Lane said when he originally committed to the Trojans. “I think I can compete in any wide receiver room I’m in. But I definitely want to develop as a wide receiver and a young man. USC is the most applicable option to develop as a playmaker.”
Ja’Kobi Lane On3 Scouting Report
“Jump ball fiend who is an absolute menace when it comes to 50-50 balls. Long and lean athletic build with plenty of room to grow. Stands in at 6-foot-4, over 170 pounds with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. Jumped a freaky 34-inch vertical for his size during the spring camp circuit prior to his junior season. Body positioning and balance is second to none compared to other X-type receivers in the 2023 recruiting cycle. Natural pass catcher who has strong hands and plucks the ball with ease. Totaled 76 catches for 990 yards and 14 touchdowns during his junior campaign.
Solid twitch for his size, can get off the line of scrimmage. Lacks top end speed in order to separate from defenders when pushing vertically. Will be a significant redzone threat at the next level and can see his NFL stock rise as he gets stronger and more explosive with a collegiate strength and conditioning program.”
