Huntington Beach native Justin Tauanuu chose the Standard Cardinal over USC, BYU, Nebraska, UCLA, and Arizona back in June. However, with a visit to USC this weekend, Tauannu could be a big target to flip for Lincoln Riley and the USC staff.
According to 247Sports, Tauanuu ranks as the No. 435 player in the country, the No. 27 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 36 player in the state of California.
Coming in at 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, Tauanuu has started games at all five line positions on offense. He projects at the next level as an interior guard.
Among offensive linemen in California, Tauanuu ranks No. 4. The Trojans had already offered four of the top five in-state linemen: Mater Dei tackle Brandon Baker, Mater Dei interior lineman DeAndre Carter, Modesto Christian tackle Manasse Itete, and Oak Hills interior lineman Paki Finau.
USC needs its offensive line to be elite. Flipping this prospect from Stanford would be a step in the right direction.
Mid season highlight ‘24 pic.twitter.com/mB1xChHaot
— Musashi Ray (@MusashiRay_) September 26, 2023
Follow Fighting Irish Wire for more on Notre Dame as the Irish prepare to face USC.
Follow Buffaloes Wire for complete coverage of Deion Sanders and Colorado.
Follow Ducks Wire for coverage of Oregon football leading into the big game against Washington on October 14.
Prominent Pac-12 sports journalist thinks USC is likely to fire Alex Grinch before season’s end.
USC and Lincoln Riley need to have a plan in place if Alex Grinch coaches poorly and loses to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator might actually be worse than Alex Grinch, a fascinating plot point heading into the October 14 renewal of Irish-Trojans.
Brent Venables is coaching Oklahoma far better this year than Lincoln Riley is coaching USC. It’s up to Riley to change that reality against Notre Dame and Utah.