USC Shocks Rising 2027 Talent With Sudden Offer
The USC Trojans are getting the ball rolling on pursuing 2027 football talent. But they shocked one incoming junior with a sudden offer.
USC had coaches present for the Sierra Canyon High College showcase featuring Newbury Park High Tuesday. Class of '27 running back Jaxsen Stokes told 247Sports' Jarrett Perez he received a USC offer -- which he admitted shocked him. The RB revealed why the opportunity stunned him.
Advertisement
"I didn't think USC would come this fast because they kind of just started recruiting me," Stokes revealed.
Yet, USC started to connect with Jones a month prior to his official offer.
USC helmets before the 2023 Cotton Bowl. © Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
"Coach [Anthony] Jones came out to practice, and I've been talking to him for like a month now, and he got in contact with my coach to start that relationship first. Then he called me the week before and asked for my practice schedule, and he would try to come out one of those days," Stokes shared.
Then Stokes and Jones began to build a rapport with one another. That included connecting with USC via FaceTime.
"It was great to meet him and see him at practice. After practice when I was actually on the phone with my mom and dad, he told me to FaceTime them, and that was actually when I was offered. It was just amazing hearing that, and it was an awesome experience," Stokes said. "Growing up, I've always been a fan of USC."
Advertisement
The Trailblazers star adds Jones "likes my speed and vision." Stokes scored nine touchdowns and averaged 9.7 yards per game last season, per MaxPreps. Stokes also averaged more than nine yards a catch as a receiver. He compiled 1,084 total yards from scrimmage. Stokes believes Jones is already winning him over.
Sierra Canyon already has a past Trailblazers star on board for the top-ranked 2026 class. Madden Riordan is verbally committed as a cornerback.
USC still faces challengers in attempting to land Stokes. He's reeled in offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State and rival UCLA.
Related: USC Moves Swiftly to Replace Popular Strength Coach
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
College football analyst argues that USC and Notre Dame must continue to play every year
College football analyst argues that USC and Notre Dame must continue to play every year The past few weeks have certainly been a tense time for the future of the USC-Notre Dame football rivalry. The Trojans and Fighting Irish have been rivals with one another for nearly a century, and have faced off every year but one since World War II. However, the two schools do not have an agreement to extend their rivalry beyond 2026, and right now appear to be at an impasse over the future of the series. On a recent episode of his national college football show "The Hard Count", J.D. Pickell of On3 argued that the Trojans and Irish must continue to play each other every year, regardless of the potential consequences. "This is an incredibly short-sighted approach to say, 'well, it might hurt out chances of making the playoff, so therefore we're gonna take a step back,'" Pickell said. "That's not what this is about. "When you go to USC, part of that whole deal is you are playing Notre Dame . . . that's how this thing works. That's college football. There are certain things that are just part of the equation when you sign up to go to a certain place. "I think [USC's] brand in itself is phenomenal. Same thing for Notre Dame . . . but I think that when you play your rival—especially with a rivalry of this stature—you get more juice when you play Notre Dame. You get more juice when you play USC." Pickell makes a valid point. USC and Notre Dame have been playing each other for almost 100 years. The rivalry is woven into the fabric of what makes college football what it is. The expanded playoff, on the other hand, has been around for less than 12 months. To end a century-old rivalry over concerns about a new postseason system goes against everything that college football fans love about the sport. Hopefully, the two schools will see the light, and they will be able to work out a long-term extension to keep the series going beyond next year.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
ESPN ranks 'Bush Push' as one of the top college football plays of the 21st century
ESPN ranks 'Bush Push' as one of the top college football plays of the 21st century The 2005 USC-Notre Dame rivalry game featured one of the most memorable moments in college football history. In the game's final seconds, Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart scored the game-winning touchdown on a QB sneak, with some help from running back Reggie Bush, who pushed him into the end zone. The play became known as the "Bush Push", and has become immortalized in both USC and college football lore. Recently, ESPN put out a story of the top 25 college football plays of the 21st century thus far. The "Bush Push" made the list, coming in at No. 14. Here is what ESPN had to say about the play: "On its own, the Bush Push' of 2005 wasn't something to marvel at. With top-ranked USC trailing Notre Dame 31-28 with seven seconds left in South Bend, Indiana, Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart -- the reigning Heisman Trophy winner -- appeared to have been stopped short on a surprising quarterback sneak attempt, only for Reggie Bush to shove him in the chest, propelling him across the goal line. The push violated the NCAA rulebook, but was not penalized, giving USC a key win as it continued its march to the BCS National Championship game." USC fans would likely argue that No. 14 is much too low on the list. The play is arguably the single most iconic moment in one of college football's greatest rivalries. Not only did it keep the Trojans' historic 34-game win streak alive, but it led to them eventually making it all the way to the national championship game. Unfortunately for the Trojans, when they got to the title game, they fell victim to another iconic play: Vince Young's game-winning touchdown run in the final minute. That play—which came in at No. 3 on the list—is one USC fans would certainly prefer to forget.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Sam Baker in focus
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Sam Baker in focus The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 79 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we take a look at former USC All-American offensive lineman Sam Baker. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2003-2007 Career highlights: After redshirting his first year on campus in 2003, Baker started the next four seasons for the Trojans at left tackle. In 2005, 2006, 2007, he earned first-team All-American honors. Baker is one of four USC players to be named an All-American three times, along with Richard Wood, Matt Leinart, and Taylor Mays. During Baker's time on campus, USC won two national championships, three Rose Bowls, an Orange Bowl, and five Pac-10 titles. Baker blocked for two Trojan Heisman winners: Leinart in 2004 and Reggie Bush in 2005. After USC: Baker was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He spent all seven seasons of his NFL career with the team. However, his career was hampered by injuries, as he appeared in just 70 games over that stretch, making 61 starts. After missing the entire 2014 season with a knee injury, Baker was released by Atlanta in 2015.
