Lincoln Riley says USC added 'large, large humans' in critical 2024 signing class
Lincoln Riley and D’Anton Lynn have both stressed this month that getting bigger on the line of scrimmage is not a want, it is a need.
With the Trojans moving to the Big Ten and Lynn looking to rebuild a defense that has completely fallen apart, upgrading the physical profile of the Trojans’ linemen is the top priority this offseason. USC needs more consistency on the offensive line after a disappointing 2024 showing. USC needs more everything on the defensive line.
Asked on Wednesday what the 2024 signing class does to address those concerns, Riley smiled.
“Large, large human beings,” he said of the 2024 additions. “People that are very tough to move and that are good at moving other people.”
USC’s top 2024 signee comes in on the interior of the offensive line. Four-star Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International’s Jason Zandamela is the No. 2 interior lineman in the class, according to the 247 Composite. He’s 6-foot-3, 290 pounds with a rugby background.
Zandamela is joined by Makai Saina (6-4, 290) and Justin Tauanuu (6-6, 290) on the interior as well as tackles Kalolo Ta’aga (6-7, 265) and Hayden Treter (6-6, 300).
“Especially excited about the offensive line,” Riley said. “That’s been a real focus point. We come in here Year 1 and there’s not an offensive lineman in the class. You knew the next few years of offensive line recruiting were going to be really, really important, and we’ve been pleased with the group that’s been here this last and then excited to add this new group.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Booker T. Washington’s Kameryn Fountain is the top-ranked signee. The Peach State product is the eighth-ranked edge rusher in the class, and he comes in with a huge frame (6-6, 250) that can still add good weight. USC also added 4-star Carlon Jones, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound lineman from Bay City, Texas.
“You look big-picture, program development, the lines of scrimmage are so critical to playing great football,” Riley said. “Stacking that talent year after year, and being able to develop that talent is so, so important. When I look at the class right now, there’s a lot that I’m really excited about but what we were able to do on the two fronts was really, really critical, and really, really important.”