3-star commit Malik Brooks excited to join USC football brotherhood

There are a lot of great players in the USC football class of 2026. For the high schoolers about to undergo their senior year, there is a lot of potential and excitement in the buildup of the future Trojans stepping foot on campus.

One talent who is excited to Fight On is three-star defensive lineman Malik Brooks. Playing at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey, California, the DL player instantly stands out on tape. At 6'4" and 312 lbs., the commit has a college-ready build and knows how to use his size and athleticism to slow opposing offenses down.

Often lined up on the edge, his responsibility is to win his assignment and make plays by getting to the other team's playmakers. Sometimes, even seeing a double team, Brooks does an excellent job of bull-rushing the linemen and stopping whoever happens to be the ball carrier in their tracks before they are able to get going for too many yards.

It's very easy to see why defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn wants to invite him into the fold. In a conference that annually has a lot of talented running backs and shows a lot in the quick game on offense, having someone with Brooks' skill set is a must-have for USC football.

During this past weekend's visits, the California native was interviewed among a number of players by CBS correspondent and Prep Football Report magazine writer Tom Lemming. Brooks was asked about why he chose the Trojans. His answer only further solidifies that the current efforts by head coach Lincoln Riley and GM Chad Bowden are working.

Their emphasis has been on recruiting CA talent, but importantly, getting people and building relationships with prospects who want to wear the Cardinal and Gold. With the aim being a collaborative, team-first effort that brings a championship, finding the right fit is more important than anything else.

Family meaning everything for USC football recruits

Brooks' explanation as to how he chose to join coach Riley in Los Angeles should help demonstrate that the staff has what they are looking for in a player with him. The lineman shared:

"The reason I chose USC is because it felt like a brotherhood. It's really family-oriented. It just felt like home."

Among many of the recruits for the current and upcoming cycle, the pattern of wanting to have a close connection and feeling welcomed in a supportive environment has repeatedly come up. For Brooks, the culture that coach Riley is building and the group that is already in LA made it something of an easier decision to join USC football.