USC LB room has a major piece in Matai Tagoa’i arriving this fall

For someone who calls themself the 'best defender in the West,' USC signee Matai Tagoa’i may just very well be that. A four-star athlete in the class of 2025, the Trojans are about to see a true do-it-all linebacker arrive on campus.

Listed at one time as a safety, the past distinction helps to showcase how versatile Tagoa’i is. He can line up a middle linebacker on the outside or on the line of scrimmage. Regardless of what is asked of him, the San Clemente High School product makes plays.

It's an LB room too, that is thin. Not that anything is a guarantee for freshmen, but sometimes that path of least resistance allows for a first-year player to walk into the building and make more of an immediate impact.

Then, taking things an additional step further, under position coach Rob Ryan, it's safe to say that the young linebacker will be able to get the most out of his talents and be best positioned to develop at USC.

Tagoa’i has a relentless motor. Between pass rushing and making a play in coverage, he's the type of player who can be seen everywhere. He instantly stands out on tape.

Particularly on quick screens, Tagoa’i has an ability to blow plays up from the LB position in a way that others can't. It's his dynamic ability and athleticism that allow Tagoa’i to be such a well-rounded defender.

Playmaker coming for the USC defense

Players are ultimately judged on results, and Tagoa’i makes plays. Between sacks or even forcing the QB into the arms of one of his teammates, the numbers always look good when he steps foot on the field.

In a program that has had a number of storied LBs, the inclusion of players like Tagoa’i only shows what coach Lincoln Riley is looking to build again as the leader of this Trojans program. The USC signee views himself as the best defensive player in the world, and so far his play has backed up that claim.

Now, with USC, he'll look to further add validity to that claim during the fall of the 2025 season.