USC football recruiting lands commitment from four-star ATH Jaylin Smith

Four-star athlete Jaylin Smith announced his commitment to the USC football recruiting class for 2021.

The 2021 USC football recruiting class welcomed another addition on Tuesday with the commitment of Jaylin Smith.

The Bishop Alemany product made his announcement on Instagram Live

Other schools in the running for Smith included Alabama, Clemson, Texas and ASU.

What does landing Jaylin Smith mean for USC football?

Smith is a four-star athlete who projects as a defensive back at the college level. He ranks No. 291 in the 247Sports composite, fitting in 20th among athletes and 28th in California.

CHECK OUT: Picking DBs for USC’s Secondary Mount Rushmore

Greg Biggins of 247Sports described him as an “undersized safety who has incredible instincts, toughness and is always around the ball.” His frame could see him play corner in the long run.

As a junior, Smith totaled 60 tackles including four tackles for loss and a sack along with two interceptions. He wasn’t just a playmaker on defense either. He scored two rushing touchdowns with 159 yards on 14 carries. He also pitched in 10 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

Smith’s former Alemany teammate Miller Moss, a four-star quarterback, was one of USC’s most recent commitments at the start of June. Moss has since transferred to Mater Dei, but Smith won’t be alone in landing with the Trojans from Alemany. His other high school teammate Saia Mapakaitolo, a three-star offensive tackle, is also pledged to USC.

USC’s defensive back class is loaded for 2021. The Trojans will add Smith to a group that already includes four-star talents like Narbonne’s Anthony Beavers, John Muir’s Calen Bullock and Warren’s Xamarion Gordon.

MORE: Predictions for USC’s 2020 depth chart

The numbers are needed, especially at safety. Even though USC goes into the 2020 season feeling good about starters Isaiah Pola-Mao and Talanoa Hufanga both will be eligible to leave for the NFL after the campaign. There remain a handful of other safeties on the roster but not all of those are certain to stay in that spot. Chase Williams is a converted cornerback, Raymond Scott is a converted linebacker. Meanwhile, Briton Allen, Dorian Hewett and Kaulana Makaula have the potential to play nickelback.

Smith is one of 11 commits for USC who rank in the Top 350. The class already ranks in the Top 5 nationally and adding another gifted prospect should only solidify that standing.