USC adds pledge from Oregon State transfer linebacker
USC earned a commitment from former Oregon State linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold late Saturday night.
Mascarenas-Arnold will once again be teammates with brother Akili Arnold, who committed to transfer from Oregon State to USC Sunday morning. The 5-foot-11 inside ‘backer spent three seasons at Oregon State and will have two years to play one for USC.
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Mascarenas-Arnold makes it three takes in three years at the inside ‘backer spot for Lincoln Riley. The Trojans added Shane Lee in Riley’s first transfer class, ahead of the 2022 season. Last winter, USC added former Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb.
Lee needs replacing, and USC is still looking for someone who is going to come in and take hold of the position in the middle of the defense. That spot was shakey for USC this season.
The hope is Mascarenas-Arnold — a first-team All-Pac-12 selection this fall — can be the answer. He finished the 2023 regular season second in the Pac-12 with 107 tackles. He also posted 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions.
According to Pro Football Focus, he was Oregon State’s best front-seven defender against the run this season, with a 78.5 grade in run defense. He was poor in coverage, though, and was charged with 20 missed tackles.
In 12 games last fall, Mascarenas-Arnold made 37 tackles in 12 games, as well as 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, two pass breakups, and an interception.
He becomes USC’s third transfer pledge on the defensive side of the football, joining Arnold and former Vanderbilt defensive lineman Nate Clifton.
