Tag: Braylan Shelby

USC defensive line has a chance to show the full measure of its quality

2023 injuries and coaching changes could lead to a better-than-expected 2024 for the USC defensive line.

College football analyst and magazine publisher Phil Steele has rated the USC defensive line No. 46 in the country heading into the 2024 season. Bear Alexander is back for his third year of college football, his second with the Trojans and his first with new defensive line coach Eric Henderson. Former five-star prospect Anthony Lucas received praise from defensive ends coach Shaun Nua as being the most versatile player on the line, and he should shine both on the interior and exterior of the line. Can Lucas reach his potential with some “Dawgwork”? On the outside, Jamil Muhammad started the 2023 season hot, but his production tailed off toward the end of the year, which led to speculation that injuries might have caught up with him. However, with the increased depth this season, the load will be lighter and he should thrive.

Last year, 6-5, 250-pound Braylan Shelby flashed his elite combination of size and quickness. This year Kameryn Fountain, a 6-6, 256-pound freshman from Mobile, Alabama, was lured away from Alabama and Georgia to play at USC. He is young, but he has shown that he has a high ceiling.

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USC statistical leaders through six games

You probably can name one of these guys offhand.

USC nearly lost its perfect season against Arizona but survived. Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff chances ended with a loss at Louisville. Neither team is coming into their annual meeting with the best momentum. That means talent could be the game’s determining factor.

This is a perfect opportunity for the Trojans to make a statement. They’re catching the Irish when they’re fatigued and struggling. The only thing that could slow them down is the wet conditions forecast for the game, but they’re preparing for that by using water in rather interesting ways in practice. While there’s no way to tell if that will affect anything, it shows they’re not leaving anything up to chance.

As you’re about to see, there are several players responsible for the Trojans’ offense being the country’s highest scoring, not the least of whom is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback. Here he is among the top Trojans players on both sides of the ball:

Late riser Braylan Shelby could give USC defensive line more upside than many expect

There are few things #USC needs more than for its D-line recruits to meet expectations. Enter Braylan Shelby.

The 6-foot-4, 238-pound Braylan Shelby rode a massive rise in the class rankings, going from outside the Top247 to the No. 61 overall prospect and No. 8 EDGE recruit via 247Sports. He is the No. 76 overall prospect and the No. 13 edge in the 247Sports Composite.

The Texas native recorded 77 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and eight sacks in nine games as a junior. He also recorded five pass breakups, 19 QB hurries, forced four fumbles, and returned an interception for a TD.

The diagnosing ability versus run plays may force him into a situational pass-rushing role early on in the 2023 season for the Trojans’ defense. He possesses a lot of good traits that can assist his pass-rushing ability at the edge position.

Shelby’s ability to convert his speed and quickness into power is his biggest and most positive attribute. I also love his quickness when he explodes off his outside foot to challenge inside rushing paths. He plays with a lot of hustle and competitive toughness.

Expect Shelby to be in the rotation when he gets on the field next season. If injuries emerge on the depth chart, he could even start a few games up front next to Korey Foreman.

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USC gets commitment from 4-star edge Braylan Shelby

USC football started August strong with commitments from Braylan Shelby and Maliki Crawford, a pair of four-star defensive players.

USC football added its second commitment of the month on Saturday. Braylan Shelby, a four-star edge from Friendswood (Texas), announced he will head to Southern California to join the Trojans.

Shelby is ranked as the No. 15 edge rusher in the class of 2023 and No. 133 player over all. He chose USC over 35 other offers, per 247Sports, including Texas. Longhorns Wire reported that Texas heavily recruited Shelby and will “likely continue” to pursue a relationship with the four-star prospect.

USC and head coach Lincoln Riley will try to fight off any Texas advances that may continue for the 6-foot-4.5, 235-pound defensive star. The Trojans have continued their major progress since Riley came aboard, picking up 15 commits thus far in the class of 2023, ranked No. 12 in the nation. USC is one of just five programs to have multiple five-star commits.

The program has started August hot with pledges from two defensive prospects. In addition to Shelby, four-star cornerback Maliki Crawford committed to the Trojans. Crawford, hailing from Pacifica (Oxnard, Calif.), is ranked the No. 33 cornerback and No. 352 player in the class. He had 18 offers overall, according to 247Sports.

Four-star edge Braylan Shelby commits to USC over Texas

Shelby’s top two schools were USC and Texas, but he had been trending towards the Trojans recently.

The USC Trojans landed a commitment from four-star edge Braylan Shelby on Saturday. Continue reading “Four-star edge Braylan Shelby commits to USC over Texas”

Texas Football: Updated recruiting predictions for upcoming decisions

Three Texas targets are set to make decisions very soon.

The Texas Longhorns are shifting their focus to fall camp, but a number of their top recruiting targets are set to make decisions soon. Continue reading “Texas Football: Updated recruiting predictions for upcoming decisions”

Four-star 2023 edge Braylan Shelby sets commitment date

Braylan Shelby will pick between Texas and USC.

One of the top edge rushers in the state of Texas is nearing a college decision. Continue reading “Four-star 2023 edge Braylan Shelby sets commitment date”

Four-star EDGE Braylan Shelby announces top two schools

Texas is one of the final two schools for the 6-foot-5 pass rusher.

Texas continues to make positives strides on the recruiting trail for the 2023 cycle. Continue reading “Four-star EDGE Braylan Shelby announces top two schools”

Four-star Edge rusher has Auburn among top 10 schools

This will be an uphill battle for Auburn.

Auburn is attempting to build a massive defensive line recruiting class this year.

[autotag]Braylan Shelby[/autotag], an Edge rusher from Friendswood, Texas, announced his top 10 schools Thursday and the Tigers made the cut. They will be battling USC, Texas, Miami, Texas A&M, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, and Florida State.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder is the 22nd Edge rusher the Tigers have offered a scholarship to. While they are still looking for their first commit along the defensive line, that could be changing soon.

It may be tougher for Auburn to land Shelby. While 247Sports has not made a prediction on where he will wind up, On3’s RPM gives him an 85.6% chance of heading to USC and Lincoln Riley.

Shelby is ranked as the No. 229 overall player and the No. 29 Edge rusher in the 247Sports composite ranking.

He took an official visit to USC on June 16 and is taking one to Texas on Friday. He also took unofficial visits to Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

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This 4-star EDGE picks up offer from Florida, calls UF his dream school

He’s been watching Florida since he was a kid. Now, four-star EDGE Braylan Shelby has an offer to play for the Orange and Blue.

The Florida Gators only recently got into the race for Texas four-star [autotag]Braylan Shelby[/autotag], but he’s quickly put the Orange and Blue near the top of his list.

Florida coaches were in Friendswood, Texas, to see Shelby in action on Monday, and an offer was on the table by the next day, according to Gators Online. Arkansas, LSU, Miami and Texas Tech have also begun to pursue him, and Texas and USC have been after Shelby for even longer.

The Gators do have something working in their favor that the other programs don’t, though: nostalgia.

“Actually, growing up, Florida was my dream school,” Shelby said. “I always, for some reason, went to turn on the TV, that was the game that was always on. Growing up, I always loved Florida.”

Things are still fresh, but Shelby expects Florida to quickly move up his board. He plans to hit Florida, Florida State and Miami in one summer trip, which should give him a better idea of the program.

“I feel like right now, they’re (Florida) like a top eight to top ten, somewhere around there,” he said. “I know when I take a visit, they’ll probably move up. Just for right now, I say around there.”

The Longhorns and Trojans are the teams to beat right now with Shelby intent on spending two of his five official visits on those two programs. Meeting [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and the coaching staff in person should help UF’s chances of getting him back on campus after defensive personnel analyst Joe Hamilton has done most of the communicating for the Gators.

Shelby is ranked No. 349 on the On3 consensus and is the No. 35 EDGE in the class of 2023 according to the service.

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