Lincoln Riley raves about freshman USC defensive lineman

If Jide Abasiri delivers the goods, USC’s stock will rise a great deal.

USC needs its defensive linemen to perform at an elite level this season in order for the Trojans to have a successful year on the gridiron. If the Trojans can get freshmen to make meaningful contributions in support of the established veterans on the roster, that would really help. One possible breakout candidate among the freshman class: Jide Abasiri. Lincoln Riley had positive things to say about Abasiri at Big Ten media days, via Chris Trevino of 247Sports:

– Riley gave a glowing remark about freshman defensive lineman Jide Abasiri: “He’s one of those guys, when the light comes on it’s going to be bright. I mean he’s a really, really talented kid. This spring had absolutely no clue what he was doing, but a great kid. Like how his body has changed, and he already looked good when we signed him, but the way his body has changed, he walks into a room, and he already looks like an NFL defensive lineman.”

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USC football lands 4-star Jide Abasiri

Jide Abasiri commits to USC football on Thursday morning.

Jide Abasiri committed to USC on Thursday morning. The Minnesota defensive lineman gives the Trojans some legitimate size in the trenches.

That Abasari comes from Big Ten country ahead of the move by USC to the Big Ten next year seems fitting. Abasari, a class of 2024 athlete, is a four-star recruit according to On3. He plays for Prio Lake (Savage, Minnesota).

At 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, he likely projects as an interior defensive lineman. He moves fluidly off the line, with a rare combination of power and speed.

His frame is already solid with the ability to add on quality size. He also held offers from Minnesota, Iowa State, Missouri and Washington among others.

Abasari committed on Wednesday morning via a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter:

 

According to On3, USC now has the No. 18 recruiting class in the nation after the addition of Abasiri and they rank fifth within the Big Ten.