North Augusta defensive tackle Simeon Jones Jr. made his trip to Southern California count.
Jones, who had been verbally committed to James Madison since July, was in Los Angeles this past weekend on an official visit and left with a new destination locked in. The 6-foot-1, 330-pound lineman announced that he has committed to the University of Southern California.
"Actually, I just committed to the University of Southern California," said Jones on a layover in Atlanta while heading back home. "It's next-level football - it's Big Ten football.
"With next-level football, you get next-level coaching and development. For me, it's the coaching and the academics.
A degree you get from Southern California isn't just a four-year degree. It's a lifetime degree and you have connections after football."
Jones entered the weekend believing a strong senior year could open more doors, and that is exactly what happened. He and his mother, LaJane, took the trip to USC - the other USC - and the visit moved quickly from evaluation to decision.
"They said, 'Really, really?,' " laughed his mother, LaJane. "They didn't think we'd make a decision that fast, and neither did we.
I originally told Simeon we need to go home and think about it. Maybe wait until Tuesday or Wednesday and pray about it.
The overall experience was just so good.
"A lot of things came together - a lot of things clicked. It was like a divine intervention moment where we felt he needed to grow his roots here at USC."
Jones has backed up that rising stock with a big senior season. As North Augusta gets ready for a 4A Regional playoff run in a week, he has piled up 59 tackles, 23 for a loss, six forced fumbles and three sacks.
He was even more productive than that as a junior, finishing with 41 tackles, three sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and one interception.
Jones is currently unranked and unrated by 247Sports, but projects as a defensive tackle and nose tackle at the next level.
USC now has 15 commitments in its class of 2027. The group includes Westlake Village Oaks Christian four-star defensive lineman Alifeleti Tuihalamaka and Rancho Santa Margarita Santa Margarita Catholic three-star defensive lineman Isaia Vandermade.
On offense, the Trojans have pledges from Anaheim Servite offensive tackle Drew Fielder, San Mateo JSerra three-star tight end Jace Cannon, Lake Charles Hamilton Christian Academy running back Javon Vital, and Corona Centennial wide receiver Quentin Hale. Chandler Hamilton four-star Roye Oliver III also reclassified into the class of 2027.
Defensively, USC’s commitments include La Verne Damien four-star safety Gavin Williams Danny Lang, Bradenton IMG Academy cornerback Aaryn Washington, San Diego Cathedral Catholic athlete Honor Fa'alave-Johnson Mekai Brown, Avon Old Farms three-star linebacker Dylan Wafle and Bellflower St. John Bosco linebacker Josiah Poyer.
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