USC Trojans Catching the Attention of Four-Star Wide Receiver Recruit

Provo (Utah) Timpview four-star receiver Dennis Tua’one is one of the top athletes in the 2028 cycle.

The two-way star from Utah is highly coveted across the country and the USC Trojans recently put themselves in the mix on Monday when they extended an offer. Tua’one is the No. 52 overall prospect, No. 11 receiver and No. 2 player in Utah, according to 247Sports.

USC Trojans Lincoln Riley Utah BYU Dennis Tua'one Recruiting Visit Chad Savage Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice Recruit Offer — Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“It felt amazing. USC is one of those programs you grow up watching, so getting that offer was a big moment for me and my family. Definitely a blessing," Tua'one said.

Receiving an offer from Southern Cal earlier this week was a big moment for Tua’one but it also caught the attention of his family, particularly his mother, who is from Oregon but has admired what the Trojans offer from a football perspective and academically as well.

“My mom was really excited," Tua'one said. "She's from Corvallis and grew up watching Pac-10 football, so USC was always elite. She understands the history and opportunities that come with USC. My parents and siblings were really proud and happy for me.”

But it’s not just his mother who recognizes what the Trojans offer on the gridiron and what the university does for its student-athletes away from competition in the city of Los Angeles.

“On the football side, it’s the standard they play with and how they develop guys at my position," Tua'one said. "Academically, USC is elite. The network, the support, and the opportunities after football really stand out.”

USC Coaching Staff Makes a Strong Impression

USC tight ends/inside receivers coach Chad Savage has established himself as one of the premier recruiters in college football.

He played a pivotal role in the Trojans landing the No. 1 recruiting class in 2026 and one of the reasons why they are making a strong push for a top five finish in the 2027 class. Savage has quickly gotten to work on the 2028 class and is Tua’one’s primary recruiter. His overall player development and authenticity has resonated with the four-star recruit.

“Coach Savage is real," Tua'one said. "He’s detailed, he communicates clearly, and he knows how to develop guys. As a person, he brings good energy and you can tell he cares about his players.”

Tua’one has been on campus a couple of times and plans to make it out in the summer for one of the programs camps for perspective prospects. From his visits and just living on the West Coast, Tua’one has been well-aware of the USC brand.

“USC is a national brand with a huge tradition," Tua'one said. "Coach Riley is one of the best offensive minds in the game, and the way he develops players speaks for itself. It’s a program that’s always going to compete at a high level.”

Versatility and Polynesian History at USC

Tua’one is an incredibly versatile player, and his high school found a way to maximize his talent. He started the season off at quarterback and finished the year at receiver. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Tua’one can mix between playing in the slot and on the outside. He was his teams punter and also played some cornerback.

“It came from my coaches trusting me to make plays and wanting to use my versatility to help the team," Tua'one said. "I just played where I was asked and did what I could to contribute.”

He’s a jack-of-all-trades and USC views him as an offensive chess piece, rather than someone you just stick in one spot.

“They like that I can line up in different spots and create mismatches," Tua'one said. "They see me as someone who can move around the offense, inside, outside, and in space and make plays.”

Tua’one liked how Southern Cal used another Polynesian receiver's versatility this past season, Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon. The Trojans have earned the reputation “PolyU” because of its rich history of legendary players that are Polynesian, and Lemon is the latest to add his name to the list. It’s part of the culture at USC and impossible to tell the story of one of the premier brands in college athletics without it.

“USC has had some legendary Polynesian players and guys who set the standard," Tua'one said. "As a Tongan, it would mean a lot to me and my family to follow in the footsteps of some outstanding athletes. It’s something I take pride in.”

Other Recruiting Interest

Both of Tua’one’s local schools, Utah and BYU are heavily involved in his recruitment and have made it a priority to keep him from leaving the state. He has taken visits to both of those schools this spring.

Arizona State and Penn State are currently in the mix but an offer from Miami, a dream school for Tua’one has stood out. It’s still very early in the recruiting process for the Utah native. He is certainly going to see his interest continue to take off before the start of his junior season but USC has found themselves in the mix.

“USC is definitely up there for me," Tua'one said. "The offer, the visits I’ve had, and the way they see me fitting in all make them a school I’m very interested in moving forward.”

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