Calen Bullock & Anthony Beavers Jr. commit to USC

Look, the 2020 NFL Draft stole all the headlines last week. It meant that for the majority of other sports news, they were likely to go unnoticed or deservedly recognized.

That was the case when USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton and Co. received the commitment from two big-time prospects for the class of 2021.

Anthony Beavers Jr. and Calen Bullock are those two big-name prospects and both are rated as four-star players in the upcoming class.

Beavers committed to USC on April 15, becoming the fifth four-star recruit in the class. He stands at 6’1, 195 pounds and had at least 24 total scholarship offers including Oregon and Virginia Tech, each who had a strong chance to land his services according to 247Sports.

Beavers is the 17th-best athlete in the class and the 30th-best prospect in the state of California, ranking 189th-best overall as well. He hails from Narbonne High School in Harbor City and has a versatile defensive background in his play.

247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Greg Biggins compares him to former Washington Huskies defensive star Keishawn Bierria, now with the Denver Broncos, saying the following:

Versatile defensive player who could end up safety or linebacker. He’s a hybrid type who has always played safety but has the frame to grow in to a linebacker. Very smart, high IQ player who always seems to be in the right position. Solid tackler in open space and plays with enough physicality to play in the box. Can improve his range at safety and ability to cover down the field. Has good straight-line speed but needs to continue to improve his fluidity and change of direction. Projects as an upper tier Power 5 starter and potential NFL draft pick.

Though he has an official visit pencilled in to go to Virginia Tech this coming September, it didn’t stop him from announcing his commitment to the Trojans.

Bullock became the sixth four-star recruit for the 2021 class, bringing with him the ninth-best athlete ranking with him and the 16th-best prospect in the state of California. He’s considered to be the 176th-best prospect in the country as well, all according to 247Sports.

He had at least 19 total scholarship offers and USC beat out a plethora of Pac-12 schools including Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State, Utah and a few SEC schools as well.

Biggins compared him to former Utah safety Marcus Williams, also stating he could play a pivotal role in the USC secondary over the years:

Talented two-way player who could end up at corner, safety or receiver in college but projects best in the secondary. He has length, ball skills, toughness and is always around the football. Highly instinctive who compete with a nice edge to his game. Has high level body control and uses his length and jumping ability to make plays over opposing receivers and corners. Needs to fill out some and add some good weight, especially if he ends up as a safety in college. Is a ball hawk and always does something good with the ball in his hands. Projects as an impact upper tier Power 5 starter and future high round NFL draft pick.

Bullock announced his decision to commit to USC just days after he was offered by the Texas Longhorns and even teased the Longhorns in his commitment video.

We’re happy to have you call USC home, gentlemen. #FightOn!