USC’s recruiting efforts have evolved from the importance of keeping California prospects at home to the realization that NIL setup is not deterring premium prospects from the South from choosing other schools. Despite these changing themes, the consistent thread is that USC still needs to elevate its recruiting efforts to compete at the desired level.
One notable recruiting loss for USC in 2022 was Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who committed to Notre Dame. This raised concerns about USC’s ability to retain players from local high schools such as St. John Bosco. The hope was that securing Viliamu-Asa would strengthen USC’s relationship with the school and its pipeline of talent to the Trojans. However, this loss has presented a setback in achieving that goal.
Some USC fans believe that recent recruiting losses show the need to prioritize California prospects over those in other regions, such as the South where high-end talent is abundant. While this may be true, it is important for USC to continue pursuing top prospects nationwide. Eric Henderson has made a positive impression on recruits, but navigating the complexities of NIL landscape remains a challenge for the program.
To overcome these obstacles, it is crucial for USC to recruit aggressively in regions beyond the West and also address the influence of NIL on recruiting decisions. In order to compete at the desired level, USC must adapt and excel in this evolving landscape of college football recruiting.
