The D’Anton Lynn effect on USC Trojans Recruiting is beginning to snowball as two big-time defensive transfer portal players have committed to the USC Trojans.
Brothers Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Akili Arnold have officially committed to joining the program.
At 5’11, 228 pounds, Mascarenas-Arnold is a tremendous linebacker with great instincts and sideline-to-sideline quickness. He’s not the longest backer but makes up for it with his speed. Greg Biggins of 247Sports.com compared him to Eric Kendricks when he was coming out of Mission Viejo High School. He finished last season at Oregon State with 106 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He was a four-star high school recruit and is a four-star transfer.
Lincoln Riley, D’Anton Lynn & USC is getting a very good, tough, disciplined, and physical LB with the addition of Easton Mascarenas-Arnold. In two seasons, he amassed over 140 tackles & 3 INTs while at Oregon State & 1st Team All-Conference in 2023.
— D’Anton Lynn’s Disciple ✌ (@DwaneRobinson4Q) December 17, 2023
A couples play against Utah.… pic.twitter.com/ExdTbncGrN
Akili Arnold is a 5’11, 200-pound safety who finished last season with 62 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. Arnold is a commander of the backend of the defense and will be a huge force for USC and new secondary coach Doug Belk.
PFF’s 2023 All PAC-12 Team: Defense pic.twitter.com/JDXUoWhFK2
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 17, 2023
Calen Bullock has yet to announce if he will forgo his senior season for the NFL Draft. If he does decide to return (I believe he will), the pairing of Bullock and Arnold will make for one of the top safety tandems in the Big 10.
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