Shaun Scott, a four-star prospect out of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, has committed to USC Trojans, marking a significant recruiting win for Lincoln Riley and his newly restructured defensive staff. After months of growing momentum, Scott officially announced his decision, citing the Trojans’ renewed focus on defense and the personalized attention he received during the process.
“USC has been on top for a couple of months now,” Scott told On3. “I took some visits and I wanted to make sure before I committed. The new [defensive] staff came in and made me feel like a priority, I knew I was high on their board and I felt special. USC made me feel like a top guy and that is where I want to be.”
Four-Star EDGE Shaun Scott Commits to USC Trojans, Sees Trojans on the Rise
Ranked as the No. 31 overall prospect in California, Scott chose the Trojans over other top programs, including Michigan, UCLA, and Washington. Though nationally recognized as an EDGE, he committed to USC with the intention of playing linebacker — a role he feels fits his development goals, particularly under defensive assistant Rob Ryan.
The addition of Ryan, a seasoned NFL veteran with two Super Bowl rings and a long résumé of Pro Bowl linebacker development, played a pivotal role in Scott’s decision.
“Coach Ryan has won two Super Bowls, he has coached a lot of Pro Bowlers, he has developed a lot of great linebackers, so he is a coach I want to be around and play for,” Scott said. “He is a very smart coach with a great personality. I know he can develop me and I like how he wants to use me.”
Scott will take his official visit to Los Angeles on May 30, but he’s already convinced USC is on the cusp of a major leap. He believes the 2025 recruiting class — of which he’s now a part — could be the foundation of a new era for the program.
“This recruiting class is going to be the difference,” he said. “The program is on its way up. If coach Riley was coaching Ohio State last season, I believe he would have won the national championship. He is a great coach and he just needs the players. That is why this will be big in turning things around at USC.
“Coach Riley is a great guy, players play hard for him and big things are coming.”
With Scott’s commitment, USC continues to build a defensive core that matches Riley’s offensive ambitions — and if Scott’s confidence is any indication, the Trojans could soon be national contenders once again.