USC football secures more beef with first 2023 defensive line recruit

USC football has just received a commitment from their first defensive line recruit of their 2023 class in Grant Buckey out of Liberty High School in Bakersfield, California. Buckey is a three-star prospect, but is "just outside four-star range" according to 247Sports' Gerard Martinez.

Buckey is 6'5", 265 pounds, so he's got good size to be an impact D-Lineman with this team. According to Rivals Recruiting Director Adam Gorney, "he can use his speed to the edge" and "he kind of comes off the edge with a little bit of reckless abandon, but then quickly kind of centers himself to make the tackle."

Gorney made it clear that despite Buckey being someone who attacks offensive lines with quickness, he doesn't overrun quarterbacks in the pocket or anyone in the backfield. Awareness is clearly a strength of this defensive lineman, so not only does he have the size but he knows how to position himself to make a play.

Grant Buckey is just the third defensive player for this 2023 USC football recruiting class.

Grant Buckey is just the ninth overall commitment in this 2023 USC football recruiting class. That's why the class is ranked 12th in the nation (all recruiting rankings and ratings in article are as of 247Sports) despite SC having a 93.79 average recruit rating which is higher than all 11 teams ahead of them in the overall national class rankings.

Buckey passed on other big-time programs to come to this blueblood--saying no to all of Michigan, Nebraska, and Oregon with his commitment to the Trojans. It's important to remember that Buckey's brother Zach plays at Stanford, and his father Jeff also played at Stanford.

Signs theoretically would have pointed to Grant going there, but he wants to be a Trojan. His commitment gives USC an overwhelming lead over Oregon's recruiting class, which is the second class in the Pac-12.

They are just 29th in the nation. SC has already had a three-star recruit rise to four stars this recruiting cycle after committing in RB A'Marion Peterson. Don't be surprised if the same happens with Buckey. USC fans have wanted beef in this class, and that's what they've received with each of SC's past two commitments.