Today was a special day at the OT7 event in Huntington Beach. Most passing tournaments are just that, and usually restricted to the skill positions. However, a few select linemen were invited to the event today to take part in the adidas Skills Challenge, and a couple USC targets were among that small group. One of them is going to be taking a visit out to the school next week and looks like he is still in line to likely end up with the Trojans while another one was impressed by his weekend visit with the Trojans and expects to be back on campus in the future.
I'll start with four-star offensive lineman Justin Tauanuu. The Huntington Beach HS star was on his home turf Saturday at nearby Golden West College. He showed off some pretty impressive athleticism through the various fun skill events, but the important part of the day was catching up with him about his upcoming visit to USC. The date is fully confirmed and he will be one of next week's official visitors. It will be the last official visit before he expects to make a decision some time in July.
He's already visited UCLA, which honestly feels like it is fading after talking with him today, and then he also visited Stanford last weekend. That visit seems to have made a really strong impression on him and could make it a bigger challenge for the Trojans than originally anticipated. He really seems to like what the Cardinal bring to the table. His family and friends continue to push for USC, and it sounds like the Trojans are still in the lead, but I do get the sense a productive visit next weekend would help cement his choice and keep the Cardinal from making a late move.
He says he talks with the staff "daily" at this point, but he is most looking forward to spending time around the team next weekend.
"Just meeting the players," he said about his expectations for the visit. "Talking to all the coaches building another good relationship."
On the other end of the spectrum, the top-rated offensive lineman in the 2025 class, David Sanders, made the trek out to the West Coast from North Carolina for the event allowing him to make a stop by USC this week. He joked that Garrett Riley, whom Sanders has met with several times already at Clemson, told him not to take a photo with his brother out at USC. However, he didn't listen to that and made sure to snap a shot with the USC head coach.
Overall, Sanders sounds to be his first experience on the West Coast, and the visit made a really strong impact on him. The Trojans, he says, are one of the teams pushing strongest for his commitment, and he had nothing but positive things to say about his visit with the outside of it simply being too short.
He is already anticipating making a return trip to USC for a full visit, but so far the staff has made a strong impact on him even with his brief stop by the campus.
"It was just a great opportunity to be out here," he said. "That was my first time going to USC getting to meet Lincoln Riley. ... I love the school in general. I love the people at that school. It was a great vibe. It was very rushed because it was very last minute, so I can't wait to be back maybe for a game this year or some time during the spring next year."
He said right now Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State, and Florida State are the other programs, in addition to USC, that are putting in the most effort recruiting him right now.
