USC Recruit Turns Heads in Nationally-Ranked High School Football Game

A member of the No. 14 USC Trojans' 2027 recruiting class makes a big play in a nationally ranked Friday Night Lights matchup.

Sep 30, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Chet Strange-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Football time is in full swing. NFL preseason games are on and the start of the college football season is six days out. Now the Friday night lights have begun with a marquee, Division I matchup between St. John Bosco Braves (Bellflower, Calif.) and Bishop Gorman Gaels (Las Vegas, Nev.) on Aug. 21. MaxPreps had the two programs ranked No. 1 and No. 2 nationally while High School On SI had Braves at No. 4 and the Gaels ranked No. 7.

The nationally-ranked, star-studded game also featured USC’s 2027 commit Josiah Poyer. The senior linebacker made his presence known throughout the game, racking up a total of 14 tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. 

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) is tackled by USC Trojans linebacker Jadyn Walker (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

One of Poyer’s best plays of the night took place near the start of the second quarter. Facing third-and-short, the Gaels elected to run the ball, but Poyer sniffed out the play, shed his would-be blockers and dashed into the backfield to record a tackle for loss.

Poyer and the defense were key in the Braves’ second half rally but they ultimately lost 38-28 in their season opener. Bosco will be back at home on Aug. 28 to host the Roman Catholic Cahillite (Philadelphia, Pa.).

#USC LB Commit JOSIAH POYER with a Solid Play for Bosco ✌🏼

Braves trail Bishop Gorman 14-0 with 11:01 left in the 1st half

LIVE: https://t.co/i7R3kwsdG5 via @On3USC pic.twitter.com/Pgrulcp6sC

— Scott Schrader (@SchraderOn3) August 22, 2026

Josiah Poyer’s Possible Impact on the Trojans Defense

Although Poyer’s name wasn’t called a lot on Friday night, he showed flashes of what he could bring to USC – a cerebral, fast, tackling machine at the backer position. 

Throughout Poyer’s tape at Bosco, the 2027 commit has shown a knack for sniffing out plays, getting to the ball almost instantly. His play recognition allows him to shed blocks, make a play in the backfield, flush out or hit a quarterback and make a play on a pass. During his junior year, Bosco used him as an extra rusher – a skillset he is excellent at since he has the strength to fight through contact and speed to drill the ball carrier for a loss of yards.

Nov 23, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) scrambles out of the pocket chased by USC Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II (23) during the first quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Never arm tackles, always wraps up and brings the ball carrier down to the turf. May over-commit at times, which leads to a bad angle and missed tackle, but that is one of the only flaws in his game at this stage of his career. 

Entering his final year at Bosco, Poyer holds a three-star rating with a national position rank of No. 67 (247Sports) and No. 87 (On3/Rivals) with an in-state rank of No. 66 and No. 91. Through two seasons on varsity, Poyer has a total of 121 tackles (82 solo, 39 assisted), 12 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery, per MaxPreps.

Current Outlook on the Trojans’ Linebacker Room

De La Salle (Calif.) 2028 linebacker Landon Miller and USC Trojans linebackers coaches Mike Ekeler and AJ Howard | Photo courtesy of Landon Miller

At the moment, Poyer is one of two backers in the Trojans’ 2027 recruiting class – three-star Dylan Wafle is the other. 

In 2026, USC signed four-star backers Talanoa Ili and Shaun Scott, along with three-star Taylor Johnson. Out of the portal, the Trojans picked up senior GianCarlo Rufo and redshirt-junior Deven Bryant. So far during the Trojans’ fall camp, Bryant and Ili have been challenging Jadyn Walker and Desman Stephens II for starting reps. 

For the 2028 cycle, Southern Cal has yet to sign a player but four-star backers Allen “Cinco” Kennett V and Landon Miller are high on the Trojans’ recruiting board.

With the likes of Roman Marchetti, Nick De Fina, Ryan O'Connell, Ta'Mere Robinson, Bryant and Stephens either departing from the program after this season or the following, the backer position will be up for grabs for the incoming young bucks. 

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