USC football whiffs on securing their second 2023 five-star WR commitment

USC football was gunning for American Heritage (Fort Lauderdale, FL.) five-star WR (all recruiting ratings and rankings in article are as of 247Sports) Brandon Inniss to add to the five-star 2023 receiver they already have a commitment from in Zachariah Branch.

Inniss, however, had other plans. Inniss has committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes. It's not a huge deal--as SC already has both Branch and four-star Makai Lemon committed to the team for 2023.

SEE MORE: Ranking the 15 best USC wide receivers of all-time

Lemon is listed as an "Athlete," but he's likely to play receiver for the Trojans. If he plays defensive back, it will likely be in addition to his work as a wideout. He's ranked as the No. 2 Athlete in the nation and the No. 39 player in the country. Branch is listed as the No. 1 WR in the nation and the No. 6 player in the country.

It goes to show that USC football does not need Brandon Inniss.

Brandon Inniss is listed as the No. 2 Wideout in the country and the No. 18 player in the nation. USC football could use him. He's been highly touted since he was in middle school.

That being said, an even better wideout in Branch as well as another elite wideout recruit in Lemon who can play on both sides of the ball and plays high school ball with Malachi Nelson being committed to SC creates less of a need for Inniss.

This 2023 USC wide receiver room will AT LEAST still have Mario Williams and C.J. Williams. There's also a real shot that guys like Gary Bryant Jr. will be back, as well as Kyle Ford and maybe even Brenden Rice. All of these players were four-star recruits in high school.

Mario and Rice are already established, productive receivers at this level. The receiver room will be fine without Inniss.

Would SC love to have him? Absolutely, and it's too bad that it didn't turn out in SC's favor. 247Sports had crystal balled him to where there was listed to be a 28.6% chance he'd head to the Trojans. There was a chance, and he would thrive here in Lincoln Riley's system.

The 2023 receiver room, however, is not going to be a weakness out in Los Angeles. The weapons outside will still be strong and still be more than enough to win, especially with Riley coaching the squad and Caleb Williams throwing the rock.