2021 ATH Jaylin Smith very impressed by USC's new defensive staff

ANAHEIM -- It's going to be really intriguing to track USC's defensive recruiting this cycle, especially with regard to defensive backs, after the Trojans' offseason staff overhaul on that side of the ball.

The buzz continues to reverberate among top 2021 prospects about USC's most recent splash hire of landing cornerbacks coach and top recruiter Donte Williams away from Oregon earlier this week, but new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando and safeties coach Craig Naivar -- both most recently at Texas -- have made their own waves in the local recruiting scene already too.

Jaylin Smith, a versatile 3-star athlete from Bishop Alemany High School who is being recruited as cornerback, safety and wide receiver, talked about the impact of those additions while competing in Premium's 7-on-7 showcase Saturday at Anaheim's Western High School.

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He started with what might as well just be referred to as the Donte Williams Effect.

"Most definitely," Smith said of whether the Williams hire is a factor for how he views USC. "He's a great person, great mentor, good person to look up to. That's a great move for 'SC, and that's going to play a big part in my recruitment."

Williams offered Smith while at Oregon back in November, and the two have built a strong connection since.

"It's all been love ever since, and that's been my guy ever since," Smith said. "... USC is always going to be a top school for me, just growing up, how can you not love 'SC? So they're always going to be a top school for me, but just adding Coach D to the coaching staff is just very huge and a great pickup for 'SC."

But again, not the only significant addition.