USC makes top 6 for elite 2025 edge rusher

USC is battling South Carolina for this recruit.

Five-star edge Jared Smith released his top six schools. His list included USC,  South Carolina, Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Florida State.

The 6-foot-6, 235-pound defensive lineman out of Thompson High School in Alabaster (Alabama) had this to say about his recruitment

“I plan on announcing my commitment on Aug. 3,” Smith told On3.

The favorite according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine is South Carolina.

Smith ranks as the No. 29 prospect in the 2025 class, according to the 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.

USC and defensive line coach Eric Henderson need to be able to stockpile depth on the defensive line. The Trojans are comparatively thinner on their defensive line than they are at other position groups on the roster. More than that, USC has to have an especially disruptive presence on defense in the rugged Big Ten Conference, where the Trojans can’t expect to win shootouts as frequently as they did in the 2022 season with Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. USC needs its defense to be significantly better in order to increase its margin for error.

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