McCollough will look closely at USC
Not a TrojanSports subscriber? Sign up and gain unlimited access to the most in-depth coverage of USC football and recruiting and our premium message board. CLICK HERE
When 2019 cornerback Jaylen McCollough was contacted by TrojanSports.com about his scholarship offer from USC, he made sure to give a message to USC fans everywhere.
"It was a blessing to get the offer," McCollough said of USC. "I'm going to take a real close look at USC. Fight On."
TROJAN TALK message board | PODCAST | SHOP NOW: DEALS on USC apparel
That scholarship offer from USC came just a few weeks ago, during the spring evaluation period. McCollough's head coach at Hillgrove HS in Powder Springs, Ga. informed him that USC had made him a priority target.
"I've always had interest in USC," McCollough said. "I was talking to Jadon Haselwood, the 2019 recruit and he said it was a pretty big school and that it was a nice place to be."
His interest in USC goes beyond a conversation with a five-star peer. The 6-foot-1 and 190-pounder says he's joked with friends about playing football on the West Coast for the Trojans. USC has produced some explosive playmakers that have caught McCollough's eye.
"I'm an athlete and I liked how they used Adoree' Jackson last year," McCollough said. "He played everywhere and I feel like I could be that guy, that playmaker where you can just put the ball in my hands and I'll go make plays defensively. I'm a shut down, so you put me on the best guy and I'm going to shut him down."
When he says he's an athlete, he's not exaggerating.
"I play everywhere in the secondary, corner, safety, slot corner," McCollough said. "Offensively I play running back and receiver. So I can pretty much play anywhere."
He's so interested in what USC can do for his career as a do-it-all player, that he wants to eventually visit campus.
"Yes, actually," McCollough said when asked if he wants to see USC. "I'm pretty sure I'm going to take a visit before my senior year to the West Coast and see all the schools over there. It'll probably be next summer, more than likely next summer."
But that's where the timeline gets a bit tricky. McCollough plans to narrow his options and make a commitment around the same time as that potential visit.
"My top five will be announced at the end of my junior football season, sometime in December," McCollough said. "And my commitment will be sometime around this time next year."
But he says he'll still be open to USC, even if the Trojans don't make his list of top schools before that visit.
"They probably won't make it until I go out and visit but a top five can change at anytime," McCollough said. "Nothing's set in stone until I sign those papers."
As for other trips, he plans to see power programs in the ACC and SEC soon.
"I'll be at Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia pretty soon," McCollough said. "I'll be at Clemson between the thirteenth and the fifteenth. Alabama, Florida State and Georgia, probably sometime in July."