USC signees rise, fall in final 2024 On3 recruiting rankings release
On3 released its final On300 rankings for the 2024 recruiting class on Monday, which saw significant changes for USC signees.
Cheshire (CT)) Academy LB Elijah Newby is now the highest ranked signee in USC’s class, moving up a whopping 162 spots from No. 228 to No. 66 nationally. He also became the No. 5 ranked linebacker in the 2024 cycle.
Newby is the easiest one in this class to label as a “freak”. He’s 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, runs a 4.45 and jumps a 40-inch vertical. He also run a 10.6 in the 100 meter. He’s a physical specimen. He will play outside linebacker for USC but has been playing wide receiver, linebacker, and safety in high school, so he has proven his versatility. His body and abilities will be able to put to use on day one.
There is just one other USC signee ranked inside the top-100 of the On300. Atlanta (Ga.) Washington EDGE Kameryn Fountain was another one who saw a massive rise, moving up from No. 172 to No. 72, a full 100 spots.
Fountain impressed many with a strong All-American Bowl week and arguable play of the game on a strip sack in the end zone, which resulted in a touchdown recovery by one of his fellow defensive lineman. Fountain’s ‘West Squad’ won the game.
USC’s class has proven to be much more talented on the defensive side of the ball than many thought to be just months ago. The Trojans had one more signee make a ridiculous rise in the rankings. Savage (Minn.) Prior Lake DL Jide Abasiri saw a rise of 165 spots, from No. 284 to No. 119 overall.
Los Angeles (Cal.) Sierra Canyon wide receiver Xavier Jordan was previously the highest ranked signee in USC’s class. But he now finds himself at fourth in the class, taking a 66 spot tumble from No. 69 to No. 135.
A handful of other USC signees also suffered drops in the final rankings. Hiram (Ga.) tight end Walter Matthews fell 70 spots from No. 133 to No. 203, Clearwater (Fla.) International Academy offensive lineman Jason Zandamela fell 64 spots from No. 147 to No. 211, Bellflower (Cal.) St. John Bosco cornerback Marcelles Williams fell 21 spots from No. 239 to No. 218, Bay City (Tex.) defensive lineman Carlon Jones fell 34 spots from No. 194 to No. 228, Lake Oswego (Ore.) Lakeridge tight end Joey Olsen fell 38 spots from No. 226 to No. 264. Los Angeles (Cal.) Sierra Canyon safety Marquis Gallegos dropped from No. 291 to outside the On300.
USC did see one other jump up the list as Clarkston (Mich.) linebacker Desman Stephens went from outside the On300 to the bookend No. 300 spot.
Overall, 10 USC signees were featured in the final On300 rankings release for the 2024 class.
USC has 20 signees this cycle and entered the day ranked No. 18 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
