Video: Interview with Austin Jackson
The four-star offensive lineman from North Canyon (Phoenix) can't wait to get to Southern California.
It started with
Westlake (Austin, Texas) linebacker
Levi Jones, a four-star standout from the heart of Texas, bypassing his hometown Longhorns and picking the Men of Troy.
It largely ended with two longtime pals, a Sam Darnold bomb away from the USC campus, slapping on a pair of cardinal and gold caps.
Hawkins (Los Angeles) five-star receiver
Joseph Lewis and four-star defensive back
Greg Johnson each announced their signing to the Trojans from campus on a live MaxPreps stream.
It was a tremendous National Signing Day for USC, which moved from No. 8 to No. 4 in the 247Sports Recruiting Composite Team Rankings throughout the day.
Other prominent uncommitted players to sign for coach Clay Helton and the Trojans were
North Canyon (Phoenix, Ariz.) lineman
Austin Jackson,
Inderkum (Sacramento, Calif.) tight end
Joshua Falo and
Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) nose guard
Jay Tufele.
Just think. Four weeks into the season, many USC backers wanted Helton's hide. After finishing the season with nine straight wins and this recruiting class, it's safe to say Helton's job is more than secure.
Jackson told MaxPreps National Football Editor Zack Poff he can't wait to block for Darnold.
"He's a great quarterback," Jackson said. "I'm going to keep him safe. I'm going to keep him healthy. … I'm stoked to be part of all of it. I'm moving into a great system."
Other highlights: * With six 5-star players each, Alabama (322.53 points) and Ohio State (310.97) are the top two teams in the recruiting standings, followed by Georgia (300.98). After USC (296.12) was Michigan (293.77), Florida State (291.56) and LSU (288.21). It was the seventh straight season Alabama has finished at the top of the recruiting standings.
*
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) need to face off on the gridiron. The two national football powers combined to sign an almost absurd 38 college football scholarships on Wednesday.
IMG Academy, by no means a traditional high school team that lands 4- and 5-star players from throughout the country, signed 22 players at its Bradenton, Fla. campus. St. Thomas Aquinas (13-2), which came within five points of winning a mythical national title, signed 16.
Defensive end
Joshua Kaindoh and Linebacker
Dylan Moses (Alabama) are five-star recruits from IMG Academy. The top STA signees were wide receivers
Trevon Grimes (Ohio State) and
Mike Harley (Miami).
Joseph Lewis (right) and Greg Johnson signed their letter of intents to USC, finishing off a great day for the Trojans.
Photo by Heston Quan
