The first stop of the Rivals Camp Series was in Southern California last weekend at East Los Angeles College and a bunch of top regional prospects showed out. Here are the five teams that should be pleased based on what recruits said and how top targets and commits performed.
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RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info for 2022 series
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USC
There were a ton of USC targets at camp on Sunday, and many will visit campus this spring, but the biggest takeaway for the Trojans should be the dominance of wide receiver Zachariah Branch and how much damage he'll be able to do while playing in Lincoln Riley's system.
He is so fast and sudden with his ability to change direction that defensive backs just could not keep him in check. Branch is also bonding well with five-star quarterback commit Malachi Nelson. The two connected multiple times throughout the day and you could tell they had worked together, based on their timing.
USC fans should really be thrilled about the player Branch could be for the Trojans.
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NOTRE DAME
The Fighting Irish always have a large presence at this camp, and this year was no different. Notre Dame commit Justyn Rhett was outstanding throughout the event on Sunday. He set the tone for the other defensive backs and was rewarded for his efforts with the MVP award. Head coach Marcus Freeman shouldn't be shy about playing Rhett early in his career.
On the other side of the ball, top target Julian Sayin was going pretty much throw for throw with five-star QBs Malachi Nelson and Nico Iamaleava. Sayin, a 2024 quarterback, is one of the top prospects in that class and the general feeling is that he is leaning toward Notre Dame.
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ARIZONA
Arizona was a team that dozens of prospects brought up when asked about their top team. The way the Wildcats recruited an impressive 2022 class caught the attention of many top West Coast prospects.
An important name for Arizona fans to watch is running back Roderick Robinson. The MVP at his position on Sunday and a Southern California native, Robinson really likes the Arizona coaching staff's experience in the NFL and how well they did recruiting the 2022 class.
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OREGON
Dan Lanning and Kenny Dillingham were two of the more popular names during the interview session on Sunday. Oregon's head coach and offensive coordinator have been making their presence felt with many West Coast prospects.
Roderick Robinson, the running back MVP on Sunday, is an important prospect to track for Ducks fans. Rivals100 quarterback Jaden Rashada is very high on Oregon. In the 2024 class, four-star defenders Elijah Rushing and Aydin Breland were very excited about the style of defense Oregon is going to run.
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TENNESSEE
The Vols were a popular team on Sunday, and Nico Iamaleava, their top target, is feeling the love from Tennessee. The five-star quarterback is leaning toward playing in the SEC at the next level and he has already been to Rocky Top. The fanbase is just one of the many reasons Iamaleava seems to like Vols.
Big-time 2024 receiver Jordan Anderson was one of Iamaleava's favorite targets on Sunday. The two have known each other since they were kids and would love to play on the same college team. Anderson, a likely four-star when the rankings are updated, is also very serious about Oregon and USC.
Rivals100 quarterback Jaden Rashada mentioned Tennessee as one of the schools he will visit this spring as well.
