Josiah Poyer LB headed to USC

[Java]

Bosco kid.  3 star doesn’t excite me.  Neither did vandermades kid.

looks like he’s headed there.  I guess the good part of 3 stars is you don’t have to pay them till they produce

[Butkus51]

Bruddah Java, Sure USC could get a more highly rated LB, but I like dis kid.  When I saw SJB games, notice him making a lot of plays, he’s a high motor, strong, fast, great instincts, smart too.  Poyer has good size 6-1, 225 and fast (4.65 40 yds).  I say he is 3.5*, remember SJB plays the best teams and he is their star LB.  I like him vs Phleps from Pacifica, Oxnard.

USC is trying to flip 4* LB, Taven Epps, Tustin HS, OU commit.  I think we have a good chance flipping him.  Also, Toa Satele, 4* LB, #1 LB Hawaii and an under da radar LB, Daylan Waffle, 6-1, 220, Connecutt.  If we can land 2-3 from dis group we have a solid 2027 LB class…  Cheers

Poyer HL tape.  https://www.hudl.com/profile/19520167/Josiah-Poyer

Isaia Vandermade, I think you should rethink about him as well.  Saw SMC 3 times last year and noticed Isaia was a force on the SMC FB team, State Champs.  If I had to rate SMC DL last year, Vandermade and Fanapusa DT were the top 2.  Heck Isaia outplayed teammate, USC, S. Katoanga.  In my book, Isaia should be a 4* DL all day.  I like dis kid a lot, we stole one.  Very good job by GM Bowden and his staff.  Dang, wish we got Fanapusa last year.  Oh, da R service list IV at 6-4, 270, nope he is 290.

Isaia Vandermade HL tape.  https://www.hudl.com/profile/16243148/Isaia-Vandermade

PS. I would think these 2 players did not cost dat much.  GM Bowden has a tuff job of managing the check book.  If he wants the 5* to 4+* players, USC check book balance must have da Mucho $1.

• This reply was modified 1 day, 4 hours ago by Butkus51.
• This reply was modified 1 day, 3 hours ago by Butkus51.

[GTrojan2]

IMO Butkus, this SC staff does a really good job in evaluating potential recruits and don’t heavily use the star ratings of others in making their decisions.  As for my uneducated opinion and based only the films, I believe LB Taylor Johnson is a big diamond in the ruff and just needs to add good weight.  I also like Malik Brooks.

[Java]

Yeah there were a couple guys UsC got. Katoanga I think is one. I wasn’t that high on.   Tom Tom also

 

we will see how it plays out. You recruit potential so maybe they’ll fulfill it

[Butkus51]

Bruddah GTrojan, agree with you on Taylor Johnson.  Someone posted his HL tape last season, dang he was impressive.  He is a very fast LB, physical for being only 195 lbs.  Like you said, if he can put on good weight, 220 lbs, he will kill it for USC.

Malik Brooks is a classic project.  Hopefully, he gets stronger, lose his baby fat and improves on quickness.  I think for him, it will be all about his mental outlook for college ball and how he handles USC’s expectations.  He played FB at a small school which is a big ? mark…  Cheers

[GTrojan2]

SC’s website has Taylor Johnson listed at 6 ft 210 lbs, so he is moving right along to add that good weight.

[Butkus51]

Man, dat’s very good news Bruddah GTrojan, he’s already 210 lbs.  Dang, he put on 15 lbs since Nov 2025.  I think 220-225 lbs is a nice weight for a LB; he has da speed to cover TE’s and RB’s on passing routes.

I’m praying like heck dat DC Patterson transforms our D into USC D from da CPC, C.McKay, C.Robinson and even C.Smith era.  Our D’s were so physical, Xlent tacklers and well conditioned players.  Come C.Patterson and do your thing with your D boys…  Cheers

[Butkus51]

5 Defensive Freshmen turning heads at the spring camp, per Yardbarker report, Elbert Hill, CB, Madden Riordan, CB, Luke Waffle, DE, Tomu Tupui, DL, Talanoa Ili, LB.  I’m not surprise by the report.  They should get some playing time in the 2026 FB season.

https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/five_usc_freshmen_turning_heads_on_defense_during_practice/s1_16541_43621007

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