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USC Football Adds 19 Players in Early Signing Period
December 21, 2022 | Football
LOS ANGELES-- Nineteen high school football players have signed with USC so far during the December early signing period, Trojan head coach Lincoln Riley announced.
The 2023 signees are, alphabetically: WR Zachariah Branch, OL Micah Banuelos, DB Maliki Crawford, LB Tackett Curtis, TE Kade Eldridge, DL Sam Greene, DL Elijah Hughes, RB Quinten Joyner, DL Deijon Laffitte, WR Makai Lemon, QB Malachi Nelson, OL Alani Noa, OL Elijah Paige, RUSH David Peevy, RB A'Marion Peterson, DB Christian Pierce, OL Tobias Raymond, RUSH Braylan Shelby and OL Amos Talalele.
Branch, Crawford, Curtis, Greene, Joyner, Lemon, Nelson, Paige, Peterson and Pierce will enroll at USC in January and participate in 2023 spring practice. The other nine signees will join the Trojan program in the fall.
Additional players could join USC between now and the next signing day in February.
Biographies of USC's signees are below.
USC FOOTBALL DECEMBER SIGNING PERIOD 2023 SIGNEES
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
| NAME | POS | HGT | WGT | HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachariah Branch | WR | 5-10 | 175 | Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS) |
| Micah Banuelos | OL | 6-3 | 290 | Auburn, Wash. (Kennedy Catholic HS) |
| Maliki Crawford | DB | 6-4 | 180 | Oxnard, Calif. (Pacifica HS) |
| Tackett Curtis | LB | 6-3 | 220 | Many, La. (Many HS) |
| Kade Eldridge | TE | 6-5 | 240 | Lynden, Wash. (Lynden Christian School) |
| Sam Greene | DL | 6-2 | 260 | Washington, D.C. (St. Frances Academy) |
| Elijah Hughes | DL | 6-3 | 265 | Arlington, Va. (Washington-Liberty HS) |
| Quinten Joyner | RB | 5-11 | 205 | Paige, Texas (Manor HS) |
| Deijon Laffitte | DL | 6-4 | 280 | Ontario, Calif. (Colony HS) |
| Makai Lemon | WR | 6-0 | 180 | Los Alamitos, Calif. (Los Alamitos HS) |
| Malachi Nelson | QB | 6-4 | 180 | Anaheim, Calif. (Los Alamitos HS) |
| Alani Noa | OL | 6-4 | 320 | Sacramento, Calif. (Grant Union HS) |
| Elijah Paige | OL | 6-7 | 305 | Phoenix, Ariz. (Pinnacle HS) |
| David Peevy | RUSH | 6-4 | 230 | San Diego, Calif. (Lincoln HS) |
| A'Marion Peterson | RB | 6-2 | 210 | Wichita Falls, Texas (Hirschi HS) |
| Christian Pierce | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Fontana, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga HS) |
| Tobias Raymond | OL | 6-7 | 270 | Ventura, Calif. (Ventura HS) |
| Braylan Shelby | RUSH | 6-5 | 235 | Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood HS) |
| Amos Talalele | OL | 6-5 | 330 | Santa Clara, Calif. (Santa Clara HS) |
BIOGRAPHIES ON USC FOOTBALL'S DECEMBER SIGNING PERIOD SIGNEES
WR Zachariah Branch – Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)He was selected to compete in the 2023 Under Armour All-American game where he will be the Team Phantom captain. He was also chosen to play in the 2023 Polynesian Bowl. Branch tallied 753 yards on 45 receptions with 11 TDs and recorded 5 punt returns for 90 yards (18.0 avg.) as a senior wide receiver at Bishop Gorman (Nev.). He was named to the 2022 Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada First Team after helping the Gaels win the Class 5A state title. As a junior, he helped Bishop Gorman get to the Nevada 5A state championship and collected 1,094 yards on 48 receptions with 14 TDs. He also rushed for 5 yards on 1 carry and returned 2 punts for TDs. Branch was named the 2021 MaxPreps Nevada Player of the Year and earned placement on the 2021 MaxPreps Junior All-American First Team, the 2021 MaxPreps California All-State First Team and the 2021 Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada First Team. In an abbreviated two-game sophomore season in the spring of 2021, he caught 7 passes for 134 yards with 4 TDs. He played in 9 games as a freshman and caught 18 passes for 391 yards and 4 TDs and rushed for 5 yards on 1 carry. He also tallied 2 kickoff returns for 43 yards (21.5 avg.). Branch also competes in track and field. He was the Nevada Southern 5A Regional champion in the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump as a sophomore in 2021 when he ran a 10.33 100 and a wind-aided 21.01 200. He long jumped a personal-best 24-0 and triple jumped 46-4.25, which was the state's best leap of the season. His brother, Zion, is currently a freshman on the Trojan roster. His great-uncle, Cliff Branch, is a former Raiders wide receiver who was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in August. His father, Shéva, played fullback for San Jose State.
OL Micah Banuelos - Kennedy Catholic HS (Wash.)
He made the 2023 PrepStar All-Western Region as he saw significant snaps on both sides of the ball as a senior at Kennedy Catholic HS (Wash.). Banuelos was the 2022 Washington 4A NPSL Offensive Lineman of the Year and was named to the 4A NPSL First Team as a senior defensive lineman. Selected to play in 2023 Under Armour All-America Game as an offensive lineman for Team Phantom. Helped Kennedy reach the 2022 Washington 4A State Championship Game. Primarily played left tackle and defensive tackle as a 2021 junior. He had two-way experience on varsity as a freshman.
DB Maliki Crawford – Pacifica HS (Calif.)
He was named to the 2022 VC Star All Channel League First Team and the VC Star 1st Team All-County as a cornerback at Pacifica HS (Calif.). Crawford has experience playing in all three facets of the game. He has been invited to compete in the 2023 Polynesian Bowl. In 2021, Crawford was named the 2021 Channel League Defensive Back of the Year, the Pacifica HS Defensive Back of the Year and earned placement on the Cal-High Sports All-State Fall Football Team, VCFCA All County Upper Division First Team, the VC Star All-County First Team and the VCFCA All-County Academic Second Team. Crawford also runs track where he ransprints and competed in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4x100 relay.
LB Tackett Curtis – Many HS (La.)
He was the 2022 MaxPreps Louisiana High School Player of the Year and won the State Championship game MVP as a senior linebacker. He led Many HS (La.) to win the Louisiana 2A state championship. Curtis recorded 112 total tackles, 16 for loss, 6 sacks and 3 interceptions in his final season at Many. Offensively, he ran for 1,115 yards and 11 touchdowns including 2 in the state championship win. He was a finalist for the high school Butkus Award which recognizes the top linebacker in the nation. He was named the 2022 2a-3 Defensive MVP and earned placement on the 2022 2a-3 All-District Team. In 2021, Curtis had 128 tackles, including 18 for a loss, with 4 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. He was named to the 2021 2a-3 All-District Team and selected as the 2021 2a-3 Defensive MVP. He was also named to the 2021 2a-3 All-State Team and earned Defensive MVP. He also was a 2021 MaxPreps Small School All-American and named the 2021 Louisiana Football Report Co-Defensive Player of the Year. In 2020, Curtis once again played in all three phases of the game and helped Many HS to win the state title. He was named to the 2020 2a-3 All-District Team, the 2020 2a-3 All-State Team and was named the Defensive MVP of both. He was also named the Shreveport Times Defensive Player of the Year.
TE Kade Eldridge - Lynden Christian HS (Wash.)
He made 2023 PrepStar All-Western Region, was named the 2022 1A NWC All-Conference defensive MVP and was an All-State representative as a senior tight end at Lynden Christian HS (Wash.). On offense, he tallied 545 yards on 72 carries for 7 TDs. Defensively, he recorded 18 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 2 blocked kicks, 1 fumble recovery and 1 TD. He also notched 524 yards on 13 punts for Lynden in 2022. He was selected as the Whatcom Preps Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 11 with 2 kickoff returns for 105 yards, 1 TD and 4 punts. He was named to Cascadia Preps Top Performing list on Sept. 26, carrying the ball 27 times for 146 yards to help Lynden Christian to victory. As a 2021 junior, Eldridge was named the Cascadia Preps 1A Underclassman of the Year and earned placement on the Whatcom Preps 1A All-NWC Football Team. He had 794 total offensive yards on 85 carries and 8 receptions, recording 10 total touchdowns. On defense, he racked up 62.5 tackles, including 15 for loss, along with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections as a junior. He started as a freshman at Nooksack Valley HS before transferring as a sophomore to Lynden (forced to sit out 2020 sophomore season). A multisport athlete, Eldridge previously played basketball and lacrosse.
DL Sam Greene - St. Frances Academy (Md.)
He helped the St. Frances Academy (Md.) Panthers earn the No. 1 ranking in the final state MaxPreps Top 25 as a senior defensive lineman. He transferred from Upper Marlboro (Md.) Rock Creek Christian to Baltimore St. Frances in January 2022. As a 2021 junior, he had 11.5 sacks and 43 tackles for loss at Rock Creek Christian.
DL Elijah Hughes - Washington-Liberty HS (Va.)
He was selected as the 2022 6D Regional Defensive Player of the Year and the Liberty District Defensive Player of the Year while playing both offensive and defensive lineman at Washington-Liberty HS (Va.). It was the first time a football player from Washington-Liberty earned these distinctions in over 20 years. Hughes was also named to the 2022 6D All-Region First Team and the 2022 All-Conference First Team as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He was named the 2022 Team MVP. He helped the varsity make the NOVA playoffs for the first time in 6 years. In his junior season, he was named to the 2021 6D All-Region First Team and the 2021 First Team All-Conference as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He led the defense with 113 tackles and a record-setting 13 sacks. In an abbreviated sophomore season in the spring of 2021, he earned All-Liberty District First Team and All-Region Second Team honors. He earned 2019 All-Conference Second Team honors after his freshman season. Hughes also plays basketball for Washington-Liberty. He was named to the basketball 2022 6D All-Region Second Team and the All-Liberty District First Team, the Sun Gazette Sports All-Arlington Boys Basketball First Team. He was also a 2021 All-NOVA Junior Boys Team Honorable Mention. He also competes in track and field and qualified for the 2022 state championships in throwing and placed second in the district in shot put in 2022.
RB Quinten Joyner – Manor HS (Texas)
He was selected to compete at the 2023 All-American Bowl and the 2023 Polynesian Bowl. Joyner was named to the 2022 All District 25-6A First Team after he rushed for 1,794 yards on 196 carries (9.2 avg.) for 25 TDs and caught 5 passes for 73 yards while playing running back for Manor HS (Texas). On defense, he had 1 tackle. He tallied 3 kickoffs for 106 yards (35.3 avg.) with a long of 46 yards and recorded 14 punts for 408 yards (29.1 avg) with a long of 46 yards. Joyner had 2 kickoff returns for 44 yards (22.0 avg) with a long of 24. After his junior season, he was selected as the 2021 Texas District 11-5A-I Overall MVP as a junior. He also was a 2021 Class 5A First Team All-State selection by the Texas Sportswriters Association (TSWA). In his junior season, he rushed for 2,494 yards on 223 carries (11.2 avg) for 31 TDs. He was the leading rusher in all of Class 6A. Joyner also caught 9 passes for 100 yards and 2 TDs. On defense, he had 1 tackle. As a sophomore in 2020, he rushed for 613 yards on 67 carries (9.1 yards) for 5 TDs and caught 5 passes for 33 yards. Joyner also plays baseball and competes in track and field. He ran an 11.06 100 and threw a shot put PR of 49 feet in spring 2022. At the AAU Junior Olympics Games in May 2021, he ran a 10.99 100 and posted a 45-8 shot put.
DL Deijon Laffitte - Colony HS (Calif.)
He made 2023 PrepStar All-Western Region as a senior defensive lineman at Colony HS (Calif.). He recorded 51 tackles and 8 sacks as a senior. Laffitte was named MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game on Aug. 26 as he had 4 tackles for loss against Santiago. He helped Colony to a CIF Division 9 title in 2021 and was selected to the 2021 All-CIF Southern Section Division 9 team.
WR Makai Lemon – Los Alamitos HS (Calif.)
He was named a 2023 Under Armour All-American and selected to compete in the 2023 Polynesian Bowl. Lemon is also a Polynesian High School Player of the Year finalist. He made the 2022 Los Angeles Times All-Star Team as a senior wide receiver at Los Alamitos HS (Calif.). He caught 69 passes for 1,044 yards (15.1 avg.) and 12 touchdowns to help Los Al place first in the Sunset League and reach the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. He also recorded 15 yards on 3 carries (5.0 avg.). On defense, he had 12 tackles, tallied 1 INT and 1 PBU. On special teams, he recorded 8 kickoff returns for 267 yards (33.4 avg.). As a junior, he was selected to the 2021 MaxPreps Junior All-America First Team, the 2021 MaxPreps California All-State First Team, the 2021 All-CIF Southern Section Division I Team and the 2021 Cal-Hi All-State First Team. In 2021, he caught 65 passes for 1,062 yards (16.3 avg.) and 15 TDs and recorded 6 yard on 4 carries (1.5 avg). He also tossed 1 pass for 19 yards. On defense, he recorded 28 tackles with 2.0 for loss and tallied 4 INTs and 8 PBUs. On special teams, he had 12 kickoff returns for 355 yards (29.6 avg.). After an abbreviated sophomore season in the spring of 2021, he was named to the MaxPreps California All-State First Team. As a sophomore, Lemon tallied 43 receptions for 756 yards (17.6 avg.) and 9 TDs. He also threw 1 pass for 48 yards. On defense, recorded 15 tackles with 1.0 for loss and tallied 4 INTs and 4 PBUs. Lemon also had 5 punt returns for 132 yards (26.4 avg). As a freshman at La Mirada HS, he recorded 57 catches for 784 yards (13.8 avg) and 5 TDs and tallied 33 yards on 3 carries (11.0 avg). On defense, he recorded 25 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 blocked punt. On special teams, he had 9 kickoff returns for 96 yards (10.7 avg).
QB Malachi Nelson - Los Alamitos HS (Calif.)
The decorated quarterback from Los Alamitos HS (Calif.) is the No. 1 ranked recruit in the nation per ESPN. As a senior on varsity, he went 192-for-286 (.671) for 2,898 yards and 35 TDs with 4 INTs. He rushed for 153 yards on 23 carries (6.7 avg) with 2 TDs to help Los Al earn first place in the Sunset League going 5-0 and went 9-3 overall, reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. He was named a 2023 Under Armour All-American. Additionally, he is a 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star. He also competed at 2022 Elite 11 Finals. Before the season, Nelson was named to the 2022 MaxPreps Preseason All- State First Team and the 2022 MaxPreps Preseason All-America Second Team. As a junior on varsity, he went 170-for-275 (.618) for 2,690 yards and 39 TDs with 8 INTs. He rushed for 192 yards on 34 carries (5.6 avg.) with 2 TDs. He also caught 1 pass for 19 yards. He was named the 2021 Long Beach Press-Telegram Player of the Year and to the 2021 All-CIF Southern Section Division I Team. Additionally, he made the 2021 MaxPreps California All-State First Team, the 2021 MaxPreps Junior All-America Second Team, the 2021 MaxPreps Preseason California All-State First Team and the 2021 MaxPreps Preseason All-American Second Team. As a sophomore on varsity in an abbreviated six-game season, he went 85-for-115 (.739) for 1,513 yards and 23 TDs with 4 INTs. Rushed for 49 yards on 17 carries (2.9 avg.) with 1 TD. He was named to the MaxPreps California All-State First Team after his sophomore season. He set the Los Alamitos school record for touchdown passes in a game with seven as a sophomore – the third most in Orange County history. He was selected to the 2020 MaxPreps Preseason Sophomore All-America Second Team. As a freshman on varsity, he went 64-for-148 (.432) for 883 yards and 8 TDs with 5 INTs. Rushed for 109 yards on 19 carries (5.7 avg.). He was named to the 4 Vert 7v7 Passing League Hall of Fame in 2019.
OL Alani Noa - Grant HS (Calif.)
He made 2023 PrepStar All-Western Region as a senior offensive lineman at Grant HS (Calif.). He helped Grant capture the 2022 CIF State 3-AA title and D4 State Team of the Year honors. Noa was selected to 2022 MaxPreps All Sac-Joaquin Section First Team.
OL Elijah Paige - Pinnacle HS (Ariz.)
He made the 2022 Arizona 6A Northeast Valley All-Region list as a senior offensive lineman at Pinnacle HS (Ariz.). He was one of four player-elected captains for the 2022-23 Pinnacle squad. He earned a nomination for the Ed Doherty Award Medallion for outstanding play on October 14. Paige primarily saw action at left tackle as a 2021 junior, and he also plays basketball for Pinnacle.
RUSH David Peevy - Lincoln HS (Calif.)
He earned 2023 PrepStar All-Western Region honors as he had 31 tackles, 5 sacks and 1 interception as a senior defensive end and outside linebacker at Lincoln HS (Calif.). Peevy helped Lincoln HS to their first-ever Open Division CIF-SDS Title, beating De La Salle in the 2022 Division 1--AA Championship. He played safety as a freshman, including at the National Preps Camp, but transitioned into the defensive end role for Lincoln the past two seasons. He recorded 37 tackles and 3 sacks as a 2021 junior. A multi-sport athlete, Peevy played basketball and ran track. He was part of Lincoln's 4x100 and 4x400m relay teams that finished first and second, respectively in the 2021 CIF Finals.
RB A'Marion Peterson – Hirschi HS (Texas)
He was named the 2022 All-District 3-4A Division II MVP as a senior running back on varsity at Hirschi HS (Texas). He was selected to be on the final ballot for the 2022 Whataburger Super Team and named to 2022 Mr. Texas Football Player of the Year Top 100 Watch List. In 2022, Peterson rushed for 330 yards on 24 carries (13.8 avg.) with 6 TDs and caught 3 passes for 54 yards, helping Hirschi go 9-3 overall and place first in their district. As a junior, he rushed for 1,817 yards on 238 carries (7.6 avg.) with 28 TDs, and caught 15 passes for 181 yards and 2 TDs. He also tossed 1 TD pass for 85 yards. He was named the Texas District 4-4A-I Offensive MVP and selected to the 2021 Third Team All-North Texas. Peterson was a 2020 Texas District 4-4A D-I First Team selection as a sophomore. He also runs track.
DB Christian Pierce – Rancho Cucamonga HS (Calif.)
He was named to the 2022 All-Baseline League and and selected as the League Defensive MVP as a safety at Rancho Cucamonga HS (Calif.). In 2022, he recorded 65 tackles with 4.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks. He also tallied 3 INTs, 4 PBUs and 1 fumble recovery. As a junior, he was named to the 2021 All-CIF Southern Section Division 3 team after he led the varsity team with 103 tackles and 1.0 for loss with 1.0 sack. He also tallied 9 INTs, 5 PBUs and 1 fumble recovery.
OL Tobias Raymond - Ventura HS (Calif.)
He made 2023 PrepStar All-Western Region as a senior offensive lineman at Ventura HS (Calif.). He was named the 2022 All-Channel League Offensive Lineman of the Year, the Ventura HS Tyler Ebell Offensive MVP and the Ventura High Offensive Lineman of the Year. As a 2021 junior, Raymond received the CIF Lineman of the Year award while playing offensive tackle and defensive lineman. In 2021, he was selected to the All-CIF Southern Section Division 9 team and the All-Ventura County Football Coaches Team. Raymond has also played basketball, soccer and baseball.
RUSH Braylan Shelby - Friendswood HS (Texas)
He was a Texas first team 10-5A-1 All-District selection as a 2022 senior at Friendswood HS (Texas). He was named to the 2022 Houston TD Club Preseason Team and was a selected to be on the final ballot for the WhataBurger Super Team. In 2021, Shelby recorded 77 tackles, 12 for loss and 8 sacks. He was as a unanimous Texas District 9-5A D-1 First Team selection as a 2021 junior and a Texas District 9-5A D-1 Second Team selection as a 2020 sophomore. Shelby competed in the triple jump and was a Texas 5A regional qualifier in the triple jump as a 2021 junior. His father, Shannon Shelby, is a former Arkansas defensive end and his brother, Ty Shelby, played defensive end at Louisiana Monroe.
OL Amos Talalele - Santa Clara HS (Calif.)
He was selected as a 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star as a senior offensive lineman. While at Santa Clara HS (Calif.), he made the 2021-22 Santa Clara Valley Athletic League First Team as a junior.
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