The first Wednesday in February marks National Signing Day for high school athletes. For USC’s football team, the 2020 class will be markedly smaller than in prior years.
The Trojans entered National Signing Day with their worst-ranked recruiting class since recruiting service 24/7 Sports began tracking athletes in 1999. The Trojans have secured 13 recruits with four recruits already enrolled at USC.
USC ranks No. 54 in the nation for its 2020 recruiting class, good for 10th in the Pac-12. The Trojans’ 13-person recruiting class is the smallest in the conference — the Arizona Wildcats have the second smallest class with 18 commits.
USC’s class is highlighted by two 4-star recruits, wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. from Corona, Calif., and offensive guard Jonah Monheim from Moorpark, Calif.
Here is a rundown of the newest Trojans for the 2020 class:
Early Enrollees:
Gary Bryant Jr. (Corona, California; Centennial)
Four-star wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. headlines USC’s 2020 class as the No. 45 recruit in the nation. Bryant committed to USC in January during the All-American Bowl, a showcase of the best high school football players nationally. Bryant is known for his speed — he posted a 4.46-second 40-yard dash over the summer.
Josh Jackson Jr. (Harbor City, California; Narbonne)
Jackson is a three-star wide receiver from Narbonne High School who committed to USC last March. Jackson totaled 1,588 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns during his 22 games and will look to be a depth possession receiver on the Trojans offense.
Kobe Pepe (Bellflower, California; St. John Bosco)
Pepe is a three-star defensive end who committed to USC in December. He was recruited by defensive line coach Chad Kauha’aha’a, who USC released after hiring defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. Pepe amassed 166 total tackles during his three years of play.
Parker Lewis (Scottsdale, Arizona; Saguaro)
Lewis is a long-time kicker commit for the Trojans, announcing his commitment in August 2018. Lewis will compete for a spot on USC’s full special teams roster. USC currently has three returning placekickers and three punters competing for the starting position next season.
Signed Letter of Intent:
Jonah Monheim (Moorpark, California; Moorpark)
Four-star offensive guard Monheim is a 6-foot-5 offensive tackle from Moorpark High School. Monheim chose the Trojans over a plethora of other schools, including Alabama and Oklahoma. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Monheim said USC’s proximity and football traditions led him to the Trojans.
Tuli Tuipulotu (Lawndale, California; Lawndale)
Tuipulotu is a local three-star defensive end from Lawndale High School. Tuipulotu recently played in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl after putting up 10 sacks and 144 tackles in his junior season. Tuli is the brother of USC defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu.
Jamar Sekona (Greenbrae, California; Marin Catholic)
Sekona is a 6-foot-3 defensive lineman who is a three-star recruit from Marin Catholic High School. Sekona has the size to play any position on the defensive line, weighing in recently at 300 pounds. He impressed scouts earlier last month with his play at the Polynesian Bowl.
Caadyn Stephen (Camas, Washington; Camas)
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle is a three-star recruit out of Southwest Washington and the No. 10 recruit in the state. The Trojans are in need of talented linemen after Austin Jackson’s departure.
Courtland Ford (Cedar Hill, Texas; Cedar Hill)
Ford is a 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle out of Texas signed with USC despite offers from powerhouse SEC schools, including Alabama and LSU. Ford originally committed to be a Tiger before finding his way to USC in December.
Casey Collier (Mont Belvieu, Texas; Barbers Hill)
Collier is another three-star offensive tackle out of Texas. Collier said playing football in the Longhorn State has prepared him for a collegiate career at USC.
“I feel like I can come in and be like Austin Jackson,” Collier said in an interview with USCFootball.com. “Not that I’ll be a first-year starter, but Texas football is different. Texas football is crazy. You don’t take half steps playing in Texas. Our coach is like the highest-paid coach in Texas … His offense is very technical, so I think that will prepare me for USC.”
Andrew Milek (Phoenix, Arizona; Brophy College Preparatory)
A three-star offensive tackle from Arizona, Milek committed to USC last June and signed with the Trojans in December.
“I felt like [USC] cared about me as a person," Milek told the Arizona Republic. “They made me feel like I was a part of their family.”
Andres Dewerk (Los Gatos, California; Los Gatos)
Dewerk is a versatile three-star offensive tackle/defensive end who fielded 16 other offers, including offers from five Pac-12 programs.
“He is very athletic,” Los Gatos coach Mark Krail told The Mercury News. “But it’s way more than that. I’ve had big kids in the past, but not with that kind of quickness and the ability to bend.”
Hard Commits:
Jack Yary (Murrieta, California; Murrieta Valley)
Yary is a three-star tight end who is the Trojans’ newest recruit. Yary originally committed to USC last May before decommitting last November. He announced his recommitment to USC on Feb. 3. Yary has a legacy at USC; his father, Anthony Yary, attended USC and was the first pick of the 1968 NFL Draft.
This is a developing story. Annenberg Media will provide updates as more recruitment news becomes available.