Commitment breakdown: Texas DB Dorian Hewett commits to USC

North Shore (Texas) safety Dorian Hewett could not wait until National Signing Day; the 3-star committed to Southern Cal on Tuesday evening before putting the pen to paper on Wednesday.

Hewett selected the Trojans over Syracuse, a team he was committed to at one point in the recruiting cycle, as well as rivals Pac-12 teams Utah and Washington. He gives USC a much-needed defensive back in a green secondary that only returns a few healthy, experienced contributors.

The Trojans had endured their fair share of bumps along the recruiting trail since making some notable coaching staff changes. In total, five players have decommitted from USC in this 2019 cycle, including four three December 13.

USC is in desperate need of reinforcements in the secondary. The team signed three defensive backs during the Early Signing Period, and with Hewett now on board, will sign another three on Wednesday’s signing day.

Clay Helton’s team was ravished by injury in 2018 and will return a bunch of unproven talent this upcoming season. That includes two starting safeties that are coming off serious injuries. After mixing and matching their personnel around to muster up an adequate 2-deep, Hewett provides the Trojans with a true enforcer over the middle. He delivers plenty of pop in run defense and a sure last line of defense. Stewart is also solid in coverage and can line up as either a high safety or man the slot.

USC sealed the deal with Hewett over the final weekend of the 2019 recruiting calendar, leaving the Orange and rival Pac-12 teams out to dry.

Hewett broke off his verbal pact with Syracuse midway through January, but still made the trek to Upstate New York for an official visit. His decommitment and decision to land with USC leaves ‘Cuse with three defensive backs in its 2019 class -- a 3-star and a pair of 2-stars. Syracuse had recruited Hewett the longest and the hardest -- both before and after he reopened his recruitment last month. However, late offers from more notable programs were too good of an opportunity for Hewett to pass up.

Utah, too, struggled to recruit defensive backs in this cycle. The team signed Aaron Lowe during the Early Signing Period and plans for Ja’Travis McCloud to follow suit on Wednesday. The Utes held early optimism that they could poach Hewett out of the Lone Star State after he opted to reopen his recruitment days after his official visit to campus.

Like the other contenders that missed, Washington has only one defensive back signed, sealed and delivered in its 2019 class. The staff offered late and pushed the “DBU” narrative to Hewitt, but could not keep pace with USC down the stretch. Defensive back remains a position of need for the Huskies leading into Wednesday’s signing day festivities.