USC Lands Three-Star Lineman Simeon Jones Jr.

The 6-0, 330-pound North Augusta High defensive lineman flipped his commitment from James Madison to USC.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football

USC Lands Three-Star Lineman Simeon Jones Jr.

Three-star defensive lineman Simeon Jones Jr. flipped his verbal commitment from James Madison to USC, making his decision official on November 2. The announcement came a day after USC defeated Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Why it matters

The flip adds an interior defensive line recruit to USC's class and marks the program's first verbal commitment since May. Jones had reportedly received 20 offers from FBS schools, making his choice a notable win in a competitive recruiting market.

Jones, listed at 6-0 and 330 pounds, received 20 reported FBS offers according to 247Sports before choosing USC. The report does not specify how his measurements compare to other USC linemen or what role he will fill.

The players

Simeon Jones Jr.

A three-star defensive lineman from North Augusta High in South Carolina who flipped his commitment from James Madison to USC.

USC Trojans

The University of Southern California football program, which competes in the Big Ten and is based in Los Angeles.

The details

Jones, who plays for North Augusta High in South Carolina, was verbally committed to James Madison before USC hosted him on a recruiting visit and flew to the Atlantic coast to meet him. He announced the change on social media on November 3 after making the decision official the previous day.

May 17: Four-star safety Gavin Williams committed to USC, the last prior verbal commitment before Jones.
October 31: USC defeated Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
November 2: Jones made his flip official.
November 3: Jones announced the flip on social media.

Season Trajectory

Jones's flip is the first USC verbal commitment since Gavin Williams committed in May, extending a stretch of recruiting activity that followed the program's win over Ohio State. The addition helps address interior defensive line depth, a need the program has been working to fill in its 2027 class.

Jones's commitment changes USC's recruiting board, which fans can track through the class rankings as the signing period approaches. The addition affects how the program fills its interior defensive line rotation in future seasons.

The takeaway

Commitment flips can shift a program's recruiting picture quickly, and Jones's move shows how late momentum from a win can influence a prospect's choice. Readers following USC's class can watch how the interior line develops as the 2027 signing period unfolds.