Kana’i Mauga commits to 2018 USC Football recruiting class

Three-star linebacker Kana’i Mauga, the No. 2 player in Hawaii, announced his commitment to the 2018 USC Football recruiting class on Saturday.

USC Football’s 2018 recruiting class swelled to eight commits on Saturday after three-star linebacker Kana’i Mauga pledged for the Trojans.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank heavenly father for blessing me with all these opportunities. And also my family and community for supporting me in everything that I have done. Without them none of this would be possible,” Mauga wrote on Twitter. “I’d like to thank all the coaches that have been recruiting me and blessing me with the knowledge they have. I really appreciate everything that was given to me. But I prayed on it for awhile….and I have chosen to verbally commit to University of Southern California.”

“But I prayed on it for awhile….and I have chosen to verbally commit to University of Southern California.”

“Although I have verbally committed, I am continuing to leave my options open,” Mauga added, leaving the door open for the likes of Hawaii, Cal, Boise State, Oregon State, Washington State and others who have extended scholarship offers to the linebacker.

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Mauga is a three-star prospect out of Waianae, Hawaii standing 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. He is the No. 2-rated player in Hawaii for 2018, but ranks 479th nationally in the 247Sports composite. Among outside linebackers, he sits No. 33.

In high school, Mauga has made a living in opposing backfields. In 2016 he posted 19 tackles for loss, including 13 sacks, gaining a reputation as an aggressive defender.

The Trojans have recruited linebacker well in recent years but reinforcements are necessary with the impending graduation of Uchenna Nwosu and Olajuwon Tucker. The likely early departure of Porter Gustin and Cameron Smith, though not in the same position as Mauga, will also thin out the unit both inside and outside.

CHECK OUT: Tracking USC’s 2018 Commits

USC’s 2018 class features a wealth of linebackers already with five-star inside linebacker Palaie Gaotetote and four-star outside linebacker prospects in Narbonne’s Raymond Scott and Oaks Christian’s Bo Calvert.