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Long Beach Poly HS athletic sensation John "JuJu" Smith has joined the likes of star-studded recruits Damien Mama and Adoree' Jackson by choosing to play at the University of Southern California. In a nationally televised ESPNU event, Smith chose a gold USC hat from a table that included hats from Oregon, Notre Dame and rival UCLA.
The five-star Long Beach product is the No. 3 ranked athlete, and brings a unique blend of playmaking skills as both safety and wide receiver to Steve Sarkisian's roster filling out the entire 2014 recruiting class.
JuJu Smith contemplated offers from Oregon, Notre Dame and UCLA but at the end of the day, felt he was best served staying close to home and playing for one of his dream schools in USC. ESPN Recruiting Expert Tom Luginbill compares Smith to a Marqise-Lee type athlete who could be a dynamic threat on either side of the ball.
Capable of playing receiver with his 6'0'' 200 pound frame, he makes for a big and physical target. Smith is tentatively projected to play safety at the next level, but could play either for the Trojans this Fall.
The playmaking ability is fairly obvious by the tape, and Juju Smith will immediately bring immense athleticism and talent to the receiver and defensive back corps in the years to come.
Earlier on National Signing Day, No. 1 Guard Damien Mama followed his St. John Bosco teammate Malik Dorton at the University of Southern California. Adoree' Jackson decided to stay close to home and play for the Trojans following the likes of Marqise Lee, George Farmer and Robert Woods.
The Trojans are relatively young at safety, but have plenty of talented prospects in Freshman All-American Su'a Cravens along with rising star Leon McQuay III to work alongside returning veteran Josh Shaw.
Over at the wide receiver position, USC does lose the talents of former Biletnikoff Award winner Marqise Lee. The Trojans still hold impressive weapons, however, as dynamic threat Nelson Agholor leads the charge along with vertical playmaker Darreus Rogers, and redshirt freshman Steven Mitchell from Bishop Alemany High School.
For more information on high school recruits that have decided to play for USC football, follow all our National Signing Day coverage from beginning to end.
