Top USC Targets Key in Mater Dei's 43-20 Victory Over Centennial (9/2)
St. John Bosco’s gotten most of the attention this past offseason and early on in the 2022 prep football season, but the Mater Dei Monarchs are also loaded with elite talent.
Although the Trojans aren’t pursuing any 2023 Mater Dei prospects, there are several from the class of 2024 and 2025. Quite a few of those USC targets led the way in a 43-20 victory over Corona Centennial Friday night (9/2).
Four-Star QB Elijah Brown has been impressive since the first time we saw him practice back in the Winter of 2020. He was a young freshman back then, but impressively poised since taking the reins as the Monarch’s QB1 for the Spring Covid-19 shortened season.
Other Top USC targets shining in victory over the Huskies were 2024 CB Zabien Brown, 2024 OL Brandon Baker, 2024 OL DeAndre Carter, 2025 WR Marcus Harris, 2025 RB Jordon Davison, 2024 DL Aydin Breland and 2025 LB Nasir Wyatt, 2025 CB Chuck McDonald Jr. and 2025 CB Daryus Dixson.
The Second 2024 QB USC Offered
Brown is the No. 75 overall prospect and No. 9 quarterback in the 2024 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also ranked as the No. 6 player in California. WeAreSC expects his ranking to rise a bit by the end of the season.
DJ Lagway was the first 2024 QB Lincoln Riley offered, but he offered Brown on August 1. The 6-foot-2, 180 pound signal-caller has received 14 offers. Some of the programs who have offered Brown include Alabama, Georgia and Michigan.
Inside Elijah Brown’s recruiting process
According to Brown, he is not rushing his college decision. In fact, he wants to embrace the recruiting process.
“I want to take visits and enjoy things,” Brown told On3’s Chad Simmons in May. “I am not looking to do anything any time soon. It will come down to the right fit for me. I a(m) serious about academics, so that will factor in with the fit at quarterback and offensive scheme. I am just going to let things play out for me.”
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Brown also told Simmons he is interested in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. He called the SEC “a great league.”
The Bulldogs intrigue Brown because of their recent national championship and success landing top players. Additionally, one of the reasons he’s looking into Tennessee is because the Volunteers landed a commitment from Long Beach (Calif.) Warren five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Consensus.
Meanwhile, a factor of Brown’s interest in the Crimson Tide is that Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, a former Mater Dei quarterback, is under center for them. The two know one another.
“Bryce is a big influence on me,” Brown said. “He comes by the school, we have had some good talks, and he has really helped me. Seeing him at Alabama is great. He is a great player, a great person, and Alabama is a great program.
“I have not visited Alabama before, but I would like to this summer. Alabama is a school that wins a lot, they always have great players, and it is a school I am interested in.”
WeAreSC will have more from Brown on his offer from USC and interest in the Trojans.
