#1 class of 2026 ATH recruit Lamar Brown to visit the pLAce to be

The best athletes are able to make an impact on both sides of the ball. For someone like Lamar Brown, making plays in the trenches is all he knows how to do. Between making impressive blocks on the offensive line and wreaking havoc as a defensive lineman, he looks ready to step foot on a college football field now.

The five-star recruit will be coming to USC's campus this weekend, and Trojan fans are understandably excited about potentially adding him to the class of 2026. On3 recently ranked him as the top overall Athlete prospect on their site in the country.

When watching his games at University Lab High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, it's clear to see why Brown is as highly touted as he is. He recently visited Texas A&M and Mississippi State. LSU, Florida State, and Miami also appear to be in the running. An announcement is expected during this year's Independence Day with a final decision.

On offense he looks comfortable playing at guard and tackle. Straight from the snap, Brown's quickness and power allow him to win his blocking assignments. Add that he always plays through the whistle; a lot of plays end with the defender on their backs. An underrated part of his game so far is his ability to seamlessly switch on gap exchanges, an asset that will help him at the next level.

Defensively, he's simply too fast and dynamic for the slower offensive linemen. Able to keep up with quarterbacks and running backs, his combination of power and speed makes the backfield a constant setting for big plays from him. Particularly on the edge, he will either be able to take advantage of favorable one-on-one matchups or force the other team to shift their protection toward him.

Late USC push for high-end talent

Earlier reports did not indicate that Brown would be interested in potentially becoming a Trojan. Many expect his home state Tigers to be in the driver's seat in regard to his recruitment. Still, the current draw of USC for top talent across the country shows the continued direction that the football program is moving in under coach Lincoln Riley.

Right now, it's only a visit, but with a potential decision coming in a few months, a good impression could end up leading to an announcement of him coming to LA and joining the Cardinal and Gold.