Analysis: USC adds commitment from massive local OL Elijah Vaikona

Elijah Vaikona's future changed in a matter of days last month. The massive 6-foot-8, 365-pound offensive tackle from Santa Margarita Catholic in Rancho Santa Margarita hit the road to participate in several camps over the course of June putting him in front of college coaches from around the country.

The stretch included hitting up eight camps over nine days at one point, and eventually he landed in front of the Trojans giving him an opportunity to be seen by his childhood favorite program.

That led to an offer and subsequent visit to USC the next week, and Tuesday he announced his commitment to play for Josh Henson, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans.

Washington, which hosted him on an official visit last month, and UCLA were the two other finalists in Vaikona's recruitment. He never took an official visit with the Bruins.

Arkansas, Utah, SMU, Houston, Arizona State, Memphis and San Diego State are some of the other schools that pursued the three-star prospect.

His commitment continues to help the Trojans build up momentum on the recruiting trail once again after a few recent departures from the class. Vaikona is the third prospect to commit to USC in the last week, and the Trojans have multiple other targets making decisions this month.

The 2025 recruit joins high three-star interior lineman Willi Wascher as the second offensive line commit in the class for the Trojans.

In all, USC now holds commitments from 13 prospects overall for 2025.