TE Lake McRee commits to USC football recruiting class of 2021

The USC football recruiting class of 2021 got a bit bigger with the commitment of tight end Lake McRee.

USC football completed a hat-trick of commitments this week with the pledge of tight end Lake McRee on Friday.

The three-star prospect’s announced his commitment to the Trojans on Facebook Live.

In the middle of June, McRee had posted a Top 6 including Auburn, LSU, Penn State, Purdue, Washington and USC.

McRee is the third prospect to join the class of 2021 in the last five days along with quarterback Miller Moss and wide receiver Michael Jackson III. He is the 16th commitment for the Trojans overall.

What Lake McRee committing means for USC football:

The 6-foot-4, 217-pound tight end hails from Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas. Tight ends coach John David Bakers’ connections in the Lone Star State no doubt played a role in convincing him to look at USC.

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The Trojans are getting the No. 431 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 62 prospect in Texas, per the 247Sports composite. He is one of three commits for USC who come from the state, following wide receiver Quaydarius Davis and running back Brandon Campbell to California. Among tight ends, McRee ranks 18th.

The major worry over McRee is his health. After making 17 catches for 274 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore, he missed his junior season because of a knee injury. Getting back healthy from that problem is obviously critical.

Whatever happens with his knee, McRee’s recruitment goes to show the tight end position isn’t dead at USC. Having added three promising prospects for the position in the classes of 2019 and 2020, the Trojans and Baker still have plans to make use of players like McRee, Jude Wolfe, Ethan Rae and Jack Yary

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Those four will have to be the future of the tight end spot because of the impending departure of three senior tight ends on this year’s roster. Erik Krommenhoek, Josh Falo and Daniel Imatorbhebhe will each graduate following the 2020 campaign.

McRee is the 12th-ranked recruit in USC’s 16-man class which ranks fourth nationally in the 247Sports composite. He is one of 12 pledges since the start of March.