USC football recruiting: Four-star 2022 DE Dani Dennis-Sutton names Top 7

Four-star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton announced USC football in his Top 7.

USC football is in the running early for Dani Dennis-Sutton, the 2022 prospect who named his Top 7 on Friday.

Dennis-Sutton is considering USC along with some heavy hitters from around the country. Those include Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Michigan and Penn State.

The four-star defensive end out of McDonogh School in Maryland picked up an offer from USC on Sept. 1.

USC football has expanded its recruiting reach because of Vic So’oto.

USC’s pursuit of Dennis-Sutton should come as no surprise. As a 6-foot-5, 250-pounder on the defensive line, he’ll be the subject of plenty of recruiting attention.

The 247Sports composite already ranks him No. 50 in the class of 2022. He is posed as the No. 3 strongside defensive end in the class.

Brian Dohn of 247Sports projected him as a “multi-year starter at Top-20 program” thanks to his “idea frame and length” whether as a 4-3 end or 3-4 edge defender.

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For USC, the ability to play in the 3-4 is essential, but attention may also be linked to the presence of defensive line coach Vic So’oto, who has strong ties to the Maryland recruiting scene thanks to his time with the Virginia Cavaliers.

The Trojans are hoping those ties pay off with the class of 2022.

It’s still a ways away, and eligibility relief for players because of the coronavirus shutdown, could throw a wrench in any roster projections going forward. Still, USC will have to keep an eye on their numbers on the defensive line.

At present, the Trojans won’t have Connor Murphy, Caleb Tremblay or Nick Figueroa past the 2021 season, even if those seniors advantage of an extra year of eligibility. Jacob Lichtenstein could play through 2022 if he wishes. Drake Jackson is more likely to leave for the NFL than stay past the 2021 season.

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By the time Dennis-Sutton would come into the occasion, the Trojans would be down to Colin Mobley alone as a defensive end prospect unless they deploy a listed defensive tackle in that role. Mobley is from Hyattsville, Maryland himself, but he’s the only defensive end currently committed in the class of 2021.