Mission Viejo (Calif.) defensive back Olaijah Griffin just announced his commitment to USC.
Five-star cornerback Olaijah Griffin, the son of West Coast rap legend “Warren G” (and step-nephew of Dr. Dre), is keeping it in the 213. The No. 3 cornerback and No. 28 player overall committed to USC on National Signing Day, becoming the Trojans’ fourth-five star commit for the class of 2018. Griffin picked the Trojans, who signed coach Clay Helton to a contract extension through 2023 on Tuesday, over Tennessee, Alabama and Oregon.
His commitment came with plenty of star power—Warren G was in attendance, as was fellow 213 member Snoop Dogg and USC alum/Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest.
In a closer race then many expected, the hometown Trojans were able to beat out a pair of SEC recruiting heavyweights in Alabama and Tennessee as well as the Oregon Ducks.
“USC is home for me,” Griffin said. “I’ve been around USC my whole life and it just felt like home. There was a time I thought I wanted to go away to college but after visiting USC, I knew that was the place.
“I like coach Helton and coach Bradford and there’s an opportunity for me to play early there. They need some corners and I think I fit the scheme well so I’m excited about my decision.”
Tennessee led early after wowing Griffin on his initial official visit and then Alabama made a hard, late push in what was his final visit.
“I loved both programs and it was hard to say no to them,” Griffin said. “It just came down to comfort level and playing in front of friends and family.
“USC has a great tradition too and I think we’ll be competing for Championships soon. Academically it’s a great school too and the degree from there is big. I just felt it was the best fit for me all around, on and off the field.”
CANNES, FRANCE – JULY 18: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Warren G (Olaijah’s Father), Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre attend the Beats By Dre Party at Gotha Club on July 18, 2011 in Cannes, France.
As his rating suggests, Griffin is a star. At a listed 6’0, he has the size to cover outside or slot receivers. He’s a top-end athlete with the speed to get downfield quickly and the short-area quickness to pounce on shorter routes. He has good ball skills and will mix in plenty of interceptions with his other pass breakups.
Griffin committed in the summer to UCLA and stayed with the Bruins until December, but he decommitted after the Early Signing Period passed without his signature. The Bruins had changed head coaches, firing Jim Mora and hiring Chip Kelly.
He continues USC’s strong recent tradition of cornerback recruiting. He joins four-stars Talanoa Hufanga and Chase Williams in the Trojans’ 2018 class. They bring on at least one or two blue-chip corners every year, but Griffin is the first five-star since Jack Jones in 2016. The program has sent a handful of corners to the NFL recently, most notably the 18th overall pick in the 2017 draft, Adoree’ Jackson.
• Olaijah Griffin will join a USC secondary that’s been able to Regulate opposing pass offenses quite well over the past few seasons.
• Olaijah Griffin simply had to spurn Tennessee—it was justifiable. Jeremy Pruitt mistaked him for someone who was liable, for many touchdowns.
• Clay Helton is representing for the Trojans all across the world, still, signin’ them corners and them Amon-Ra‘s, girl.
• Clay Helton told Griffin to throw up two fingers if he feels the same way—Clay puttin it down for Californ-i-a.
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