Isaac Taylor-Stuart to sign with USC over Alabama on Signing Day 2018

Four-star cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart provided the cherry on top of USC Signing Day 2018 by picking the Trojans over Alabama and others.

USC’s Signing Day 2018 ended with a bang, grabbing another elite prospect in the form of cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart

Taylor-Stuart had a choice between USC, Alabama and Tennessee, but spurned the SEC schools, and the promise of Whataburger, in order to stay in California and join the Trojans.

With Taylor-Stuart in the fold, USC finished off the 2018 recruiting class with six signees ranked in the Top 40 of the 247Sports composite.

The Skinny

The 6-foot-2, 187-pound corner is exactly the kind of athlete USC has looked for when recruiting the secondary, so it’s no surprise that the Trojans made it a priority to secure Taylor Stuart’s signature.

The Trojans were always in the mix, but the prospect actually named Alabama as his leader early in his recruitment. When push came to shove, however, USC hosted Taylor-Stuart in mid-January and managed to ace their pitch.

While Taylor-Stuart also took official visits to Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia, the Trojans were the school left standing in the end.

As a result, USC will add another elite corner, with Taylor-Stuart ranked No. 4 at the position and No. 32 nationally.

Where He Fits in 2018

USC has decent depth at cornerback, with Iman Marshall and Jack Jones returning along with back ups Jonathan Lockett, Isaiah Langley and 2017 additions Greg Johnson and Je’Quari Godfrey. The Trojans also signed five-star corner Olaijah Griffin on Wednesday morning, with four-star Chase Williams added in December.

MORE SIGNING DAY: Tracking All of USC’s Class of 2018 Signings

On the one hand, competition for playing time in 2018 should be fierce at the position.

On the other hand, neither Marshall nor Jones were stalwart enough in 2017 to believe they couldn’t be challenged for playing time, especially if USC finally gives into fan demand to see Marshall at safety.

Taylor-Stuart has mouthwatering size and the skills to thrive in USC’s aggressive scheme. He’ll be in the competition early.

High School Highlights

He Reminds Us Of…Marqise Lee

Coming out of high school, Marqise Lee was expected to be a next-level prospect at cornerback who possessed good ball skills along with breakneck speed. That didn’t happen, as Lane Kiffin gave him a shot at receiver and Lee never looked back. However, Taylor-Stewart might be the guy you’d imagine Lee being had he stayed a defensive back. The Helix product was deemed the fastest player in the country at Nike’s The Opening and boasts a high ceiling as an impact playmaker on defense, capable of returning any interception he gets a hand on.