USC won a Big Ten recruiting battle Monday for a blue-chip prospect from the SEC footprint.

What a day for Lincoln Riley, linebacker coach Brian Odom, and this new Trojans staff. On Monday, 2023 4-star linebacker Tackett Curtis announced his commitment to the Trojans. The Many (La.) product chose USC over Ohio State and Wisconsin. He took an official visit to USC on June 10, a weekend that saw four prospects come through Los Angeles and four commitments.

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Curtis also took official visits to Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ recruiting Death Star hosted him the final weekend of June. It was Odom and USC that won out.

Curtis rates as a high 4-star in the industry-generated 247 Composite. He’s the 89th-ranked recruit in the class and the fifth-ranked linebacker prospect. He’s also the sixth-ranked recruit from the state of Louisiana.

As a sophomore in 2020, Curtis was everywhere. He played safety, running back, and as a kick return man on special teams. He helped Many to the Louisiana 2A state title while earning the Shreveport Times’ Defensive Player of the Year honor, the Louisiana Sports Writers Association 2A Defensive Player of the Year award, and a first-team all-state selection.

He had 92 tackles and four interceptions as a sophomore. As a junior, he was just as good. Last fall, Curtis produced 103 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a fumble recovery. On offense, he also ran for 494 yards (11.5 per carry) and three scores.

Curtis is a wrecking-ball linebacker, a guy who almost always uses the hit stick to deliver finishing blows. He’s the 12th known commitment for the Trojans in the Class of 2023 and the highest-ranked defender so far. The class now ranks 13th nationally.

You can view his highlight tape below, via Hudl: