Meet John Plattenburg

By Jordan Moore on September 3, 2014 2:09 PM | 1 Comment

Written by Caroline Deisley, USC blog contributor

Name: John Plattenburg

Position: DB

Class: Freshman

Size: 5-foot-11, 180 pounds

Age: 18

High School: Lamar High (Houston, TX)

Scouting Report: Plattenburg boasts the physicality of a defensive back with top end speed allowing him to match-up against the nation's best wide receivers, while also rotating in at the nickel position.

Prep Career: Plattenburg dominated his senior season at Lamar as a defensive back and returner earning him 2013 Prep Star All-Midland honors as well as a spot on the All-District 20-5A second team. Prior to playing in Houston, Plattenburg established himself as an elite defender at Centennial HIgh School in Corona, Calif., racking up 75 tackles, five interceptions, nine deflections and two fumble recoveries his junior year leading his team to victory at the 2012 CIF Inland Division Championship as well as the CIF State Open Division Regional Bowl.

Fall Camp: With the loss of OLB Jabari Ruffin, the Trojans needed to switch up the defensive rotation allowing freshman like Plattenburg to get some quality reps at different and/or new positions. The freshman defensive back will most likely see some time at the safety position, but has been rotating in at the nickel position. He played briefly at the end of the season opener against Fresno State.

DB coach Keith Heyward on Plattenburg: "He's doing a great job. He came out and showed tremendous quickness and strength and had a pretty quick grasp of our playbook. That's why he's running with the second group right now at the safety position."