The USC Trojans are making noise at the start of the early singing period. They’re signing big names in Lincoln Riley’s second run on the recruiting trail since coming to Southern California.
On Wednesday, the Trojans got some news they had been waiting for. Five-star receiver Zachariah Branch and five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson made it official and became part of the 2023 class. The future looks bright for the Trojans.
Nelson had visited Texas A&M over the summer, which sparked a ton of speculation, but he decided to go to USC and will be the backup to Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams in 2023.
Branch joins his brother, Zion, at USC. The Nelson-Branch-Makai Lemon trio is the future of the USC offense.
Branch took to Twitter and showed his enthusiasm about joining a loaded squad.
It’s a great day to be a trojan . Fight on !! ✌🏾
— Zachariah “ease” Branch (@zachariahb03) December 21, 2022
The offense is looking even more dynamic just a couple of days after the Trojans landed Arizona transfer WR Dorian Singer.
Great day to be a Trojan ✌️ https://t.co/DcZKKnNlS4
— malachi nelson (@Malachi) December 21, 2022
Nelson is the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023, and he becomes the third such player USC has signed in the ESPN 300, along with Matt Leinart and Joe McKnight.
USC signing Malachi Nelson gives USC the third No. 1 recruit in the ESPN 300 since those rankings began in 2006. He joins Joe McKnight and Matt Barkley in that crew. He's also Lincoln Riley's sixth ESPN 300 quarterback.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 21, 2022
The most EXPLOSIVE player in the country⁉️
Zachariah Branch (@zachariahb03) has signed with USC. The No. 6 player in the class forms a dynamic trio with Malachi Nelson (No. 1) and Makai Lemon (No. 13) 👀
Lookout for them in the @UANextFootball All-America game #FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/9Huq6Z3pIa
— The Underclassman Report (@TheUCReport) December 21, 2022
There will be plenty more activity throughout the next few days, weeks, and months. As long as Lincoln Riley is in town, this team will be competitive and pushing for a Pac-12 title — and more.
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