USC Football Recruiting 2023: Top Remaining Recruits, Class Predictions

USC has taken its expected place as a top national brand during the first full recruiting cycle of Lincoln Riley's tenure.

Shortly after his arrival in 2021, the Trojans prioritized adding immediate-impact transfers over 2022 prospects. However, the program has shifted its focus to high schoolers and landed a possible top-10 class.

The group includes two 5-star talents, including a potential quarterback of the future—last season's QB Caleb Williams is likely heading to the NFL.

But the Trojans are hoping they're not quite finished yet; three of the cycle's best remaining prospects are considering USC.

Top Signees

Zachariah Branch, WR

Shortly after Riley arrived at USC in November 2021, the former Oklahoma coach secured a huge commitment. Zachariah Branch, who's ranked as the nation's No. 4 prospect in the 2023 cycle, picked the Trojans and should be a featured part of the receiving corps quickly.

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Malachi Nelson, QB

Malachi Nelson, meanwhile, followed Riley to Los Angeles and flipped his commitment from OU to USC. Granted, the 5-star quarterback is a local product. Nelson threw for 2,898 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior at Los Alamitos, ending as the No. 13 overall player in the class. He enrolled early alongside a notable high school teammate.

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Makai Lemon, WR

Makai Lemon also starred at Los Al, cresting the 1,000-yard mark in each of his last two seasons. Similar to Nelson, Lemon backed off a verbal pledge to Oklahoma in the days following Riley's exit. Lemon narrowly missed a 5-star billing as the No. 43 prospect in 2023.

Key Targets

Duce Robinson, TE

The country's best uncommitted prospect is Duce Robinson, a 5-star tight end from Arizona who checks in 17th nationally. Robinson might also be picked in the 2023 MLB draft, but he's eyeing one of Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Texas or USC for his time in college.

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Rodrick Pleasant, CB

How about a birthday commitment? The timing of February's signing day worked perfectly for Rodrick Pleasant. Five teams—Boston College, Cal, Oregon, UCLA and USC—are competing for the No. 91 overall talent.

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Walker Lyons, TE

Because he's soon leaving for his LDS mission, Walker Lyons will not enroll until the summer of 2024. Nevertheless, he's a 4-star prospect who backed off a Stanford pledge when David Shaw resigned. Lyons, ranked 123rd, has a final four of Georgia, Stanford, USC and Utah.

Class Prediction

USC is a legitimate contender for both Robinson and Lyons, not simply a brand-name program with a hat on the table.

However, the Trojans could find themselves on the wrong side of those announcements. Georgia and Utah seemingly have emerged as the front-runners, although it's even possible UGA lands both.

Pleasant, on the other hand, we're predicting to choose USC.

Oregon is a sizable threat, given that Pleasant—a state-champion sprinter from nearby Gardena—plans to run track in college. But the Trojans should be able to close and keep Pleasant in the Los Angeles area.