University Southern California Trojans
2026 USC Football Signing Day
Roster
Simote Katoanga
- Position:
- Defensive End
- Height:
- 6-5
- Weight:
- 250
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
- High School:
- Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Katoanga, a four-star recruit, is ranked as the No. 93 player in the nation by ESPN and No. 184 by 247Sports. He rated as the No. 14 player in the state of California by ESPN, No. 18 by 247Sports and No. 25 by Rivals. He is touted as the No. 13 edge in the country by ESPN, No. 25 by 247Sports and No. 32 by Rivals. He is nationally ranked 93rd on the ESPN 300 List and is 184th on the Top 247 List. He is a 2026 Polynesian Bowl All-Star.
As a senior in 2025, he recorded 35 tackles, including 11.5 for loss with 3 sacks and 2 PBUs. He helped Santa Margarita with the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship under first year head coach, former USC Heisman winner, Carson Palmer. Prior to the season, he was named to the 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-State Team First Team, the Los Angeles Times 2025 Preseason All-Southland First Team, the 2025 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-Orange County Team and the 2025 The Sporting News Preseason All-State Third Team. He attended the Under Armour Next Camp: Los Angeles and earned “Alpha Dog” honors.
As a junior in 2024, he tallied 29 tackles, including 8 for loss with 5 sacks and 1 forced fumble. He was named to the 2024 Orange County Register All-County Second Team, the 2024 Cal-Hi Sports All-State Junior Second Team and the 2024 All-Trinity League First Team.
As a sophomore in 2023, he had 7 tackles, including 1 for loss. He was named to the 2023 All-Trinity League First Team.
