HONOLULU -- This time a year ago, USC offensive line signee Makai Saina wouldn't have envisioned himself preparing to join the Trojans this summer as a key part of their incoming 2024 offensive line class.

Saina, from Arlington, Texas, figured he'd end up at one of the in-state schools closer to home.

Then some serendipity happened ...

Saina's brother had a trip to perform with his high school orchestra last spring at USC of all places. Because Saina did have an offer from the Trojans, he figured he and his family might as well stop by campus and check out the football program while they were already set to be there.

"USC was not the first school I was thinking about. I'm from Texas and I was thinking about all the Texas schools I was talking to, but I would say that what brought USC into my thought at all going to school, was my brother going up there [for an orchestra concert]. Me and my mom just came along and that whole visit right there just changed everything for me," Saina said this week while competing at the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii. "When I met the coaches, I just knew those coaches would be right for me, and how they played when I watched them, the O-line. Everyone there was just great."