USC landed a big one on Wednesday - literally and figuratively - as four-star linebacker/edge rusher Shaun Scott out of powerhouse Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) officially signed with the Trojans.
Scott, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive standout, is one of the most versatile front-seven defenders on the West Coast. And for USC, keeping that kind of talent home is more than a recruiting win - it’s a statement.
“It feels good feeling that love from home.”
That’s how Scott described it back in the spring, and it’s not hard to see why that mattered. For years, USC was criticized for letting top California talent slip away.
But now, with a renewed focus on local recruiting, the Trojans are making up for lost time. Scott’s commitment is a reflection of that shift - a homegrown star choosing to stay home and represent the cardinal and gold.
Scott had options. Plenty of them.
Some programs recruited him strictly as an edge rusher. Others saw his potential as a hybrid linebacker.
But USC, and more specifically linebackers coach Rob Ryan, made the kind of impression that stuck.
Rob Ryan’s impact: “He never sugarcoats anything.”
Scott didn’t mince words when talking about Ryan, calling him a “Hall of Fame coach” and pointing to his track record of developing linebackers - even those who weren’t highly touted coming out of college - into Pro Bowlers. That kind of resume carries weight, especially for a player like Scott who’s still carving out his positional identity.
Ryan’s authenticity also resonated. According to Scott, “Coach Ryan is always himself.
He never sugarcoats anything and that adds to it.” For a young player stepping into a high-pressure college environment, that kind of straightforward mentorship can be a difference-maker.
The recruitment battle: USC holds off Washington
Scott committed to USC back in May, but that didn’t stop other programs from making a late push - most notably Washington. Still, the Trojans held firm, largely thanks to the relationships Scott built with the staff.
One name that stood out in that process? Chad Bowden.
Scott referred to him as “my guy,” someone who’s been in his corner for years. When Bowden got to USC, he wasted no time reconnecting - and that consistency helped lock in the commitment.
“I have a really good connection with all of the coaches,” Scott said before signing. That kind of trust and familiarity often separates good recruiting classes from great ones.
By the numbers: Production meets potential
Scott’s senior season at Mater Dei was as productive as it was disruptive. In 11 games, he racked up 53 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks - numbers that speak to his explosiveness off the edge and his ability to live in opponents’ backfields.
Nationally, he’s ranked as the No. 32 edge rusher in the 2026 class by 247Sports and sits at No. 349 overall in the composite rankings. Those numbers reflect both his current impact and his long-term upside.
Where he fits at USC: Linebacker… for now
Right now, the plan is for Scott to play SAM linebacker in Rob Ryan’s system. But that could change, depending on how his body develops.
If he adds 20-30 pounds over the next year or two, he might transition into a full-time edge rusher. Either way, USC is getting a player who can fill multiple roles - and that flexibility is huge given the Trojans’ current roster outlook.
With veterans like Eric Gentry and Anthony Lucas moving on, USC is thin at both linebacker and edge heading into next season. The staff will likely dip into the transfer portal to add depth, but Scott’s arrival gives them a high-upside piece to develop in-house.
Following the freshman blueprint
If Scott does stick at linebacker, he could follow a similar path to current USC freshman Matai Tagoa’i. Like Scott, Tagoa’i came in with physical tools but needed time to adjust. He started out on special teams, then worked his way into the defensive rotation late in the season with appearances against Nebraska, Northwestern and UCLA.
Desman Stephens, USC’s starting MIKE linebacker, also saw the field as a true freshman - both on defense and special teams. That’s the kind of early impact Scott could aim for, especially if he enrolls early and gets a jump on the playbook and strength program.
If he ends up moving to edge, though, the path might look different. Adding weight and adjusting to the physicality of college offensive lines would likely push his timeline back. But again, the long-term ceiling is what makes Scott such an intriguing piece.
What makes Scott special: Versatility and polish
Scott isn’t just a raw athlete - he’s a technician. He’s got one of the deepest pass-rush toolkits in the region, with the ability to win using speed, power, and a polished spin move that gives tackles fits. He’s also shown he can counter effectively and use his hands to disengage - skills that usually take time to develop.
At the All-22 Camp this offseason, Scott worked exclusively at linebacker and took home MVP honors. He showed off his quickness, fluid movement, and the kind of suddenness that translates well to the next level. Whether he lines up off the edge or stacks inside, he’s a matchup problem in the making.
And that’s the beauty of it: Scott isn’t locked into one role. He’s the kind of player you can move around to exploit weaknesses in opposing offenses. That versatility is gold in today’s college game, where hybrid defenders are more valuable than ever.
In Shaun Scott, USC isn’t just getting a top-350 recruit - they’re getting a difference-maker who can evolve into whatever the defense needs. Whether he’s chasing quarterbacks off the edge or filling gaps as a linebacker, he brings a rare blend of size, skill, and smarts.
And most importantly? He’s staying home to do it.