USC dips into the Deep South to flip 3-star defensive lineman Simeon Jones

The USC Trojans successfully flipped three-star defensive lineman and South Carolina native Simeon Jones from James Madison this week, moving quickly to secure the commitment of the high-upside class of 2027 prospect.

USC’s 2027 recruiting class was designed to be small, but the staff has always intended to supplement the group with under-the-radar talent late in the cycle. Simeon Jones certainly fits that mold, though his 6-foot-1, 325-pound frame is anything but small.

USC adds 3-star DL Simeon Jones to 2027 class

Jones attended the Trojans’ victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. With his official visit occurring less than two weeks after receiving an offer, this recruitment stands out as one of the fastest commitments fans will likely see this cycle.

"With next-level football, you get next-level coaching and development. For me, it's the coaching and the academics. A degree you get from Southern California isn't just a four-year degree. It's a lifetime degree and you have connections after football," Jones told Gerard Martinez of 247Sports.

Jones joins a 2027 class that, while small in numbers, is elite in talent. Currently ranked No. 15 nationally, the class features two five-star commitments in Honor Fa'lave-Johnson and Mekai Brown. Notably, Jones represents the Trojans' sixth out-of-state commitment in the 2027 cycle.

The projected nose guard took official visits to James Madison and USF over the summer. He also held offers from Cincinnati, Memphis, Appalachian State, East Carolina and Jacksonville State.

Jones was vocal about how USC's academic prestige played a pivotal role in his commitment, serving as a reminder that traditional factors still carry significant weight in an era dominated by NIL. While the Trojans currently hold 15 commitments and the 2027 cycle nears its conclusion, it remains to be seen if the staff will push to expand the class further as they focus on finishing the season on a high note.

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