Justus Terry Decommits from USC; DT Is 2nd 5-Star to Exit Program in 24 Hours
June 19, 2024
Five-star defensive tackle prospect Justus Terry has rescinded his commitment to USC football, he announced Wednesday on X.
Justus "Jay" Terry @JustusTerry80MY RECRUITMENT IS OPEN!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Decommitted?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Decommitted</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/1shot?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#1shot</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Givemeeverythingyougot?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Givemeeverythingyougot</a>🤷🏾♂️
Terry's post comes less than one day after five-star EDGE prospect Isaiah Gibson confirmed his own de-commitment from USC on X.
Both Terry and Gibson are ranked among the top 20 Class of 2025 recruits in the nation by 247Sports.
Quarterback Julian Lewis, another top-20 prospect, remains committed to USC despite visiting Auburn last weekend.
Gibson announced his decommitment during an official visit to Ohio State.
Terry plans to take an official visit to Alabama this weekend in place of a scheduled visit to USC, On3's Chad Simmons reported. He had recently visited Georgia and Florida, per ESPN's Eli Lederman.
Their decommitments are a major blow for USC's hopes of using recruiting to rebuild their defense under new coordinator D'Anton Lynn, following a 2023-24 season in which the Trojans ranked among the most porous defenses in the FBS.
The Trojans are at risk of another blow to the future depth of the team's defensive line if they are unable to hold onto four-star safety prospect Hylton Stubbs.
Stubbs, ranked No. 99 in the nation by 247Sports, recently completed an official visit to Florida that he said brought the Gators "very close" to USC in his ranking, per USA Today's Adam Dubbin.
The Trojans will additionally need to make a bid to retain Lewis, who has also been pursued by Indiana and Colorado, although the quarterback told On3's Collin Ginnan that he was "100 percent" committed to USC after the official visit to Auburn.
Lewis, who has been committed to USC since last August, told 247Sports' Tom Loy that his decision to remain committed to the Trojans is driven by his desire to play for head coach Lincoln Riley.
Riley will now attempt to retain Stubbs and Lewis, while adding more defensive lineman to USC's 2025 recruiting class, as the Trojans prepare for their first season in the Big Ten this fall.