Four-Star 2017 OC Brett Neilon Gives Inside Scoop on USC Trojans Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Trojans publicly added their first lineman commitment of the 2017 class on Wednesday, albeit nearly a week after the initial commitment took place, when center Brett Neilon announced his pledge to USC.

Neilon is one of if not the top centers in the nation. The Santa Margarita Catholic High School talent is ranked as a four-star, is already a U.S. Army All-American Bowl invite, and has 20-plus offers to some of the top programs in the nation. Some of the teams at one time hoping to lure Neilon to their campus with a scholarship offer includes Auburn, Duke, Cal, Colorado, Arizona State, Boston College, North Carolina, Harvard, Utah, Arizona, UCLA, Hawaii, South Carolina, Washington State, Virginia, and Vanderbilt.

Of all the great offers, the 6’2”, 285 pound, beast in the middle of the offensive line had narrowed his top schools down to USC, Michigan, and Washington leading into his announcement day. His decision was posted on Twitter:

In a Recruiting News Guru interview, I caught up with Neilon after his public announcement to get the inside scoop on his commitment to the Trojans.

Interview

Brett, first off, congratulations on your commitment to USC.

“Thank you.”

You had a final three of USC, Washington, and Michigan. What was tempting for you about Washington and Michigan to make your final three?

“Washington’s stadium is beautiful and they have a program on the rise. I like what Coach (Chris) Petersen is doing with U-Dub. They are doing the right things there. They are creating a great program that will be a force. With Michigan, they have a great history, the Big House, and they will compete for a championship in the near future. Both schools have premiere academics.”

So what influenced you to commit to USC?

“I grew up a Trojans fan. I always dreamed of playing for SC (USC), and they offer a lot academically. The alumni base is great. My dad is a Trojans alumni, my two aunts are as well, and my brother goes there. I felt at home with Coach (Clay) Helton (head coach) and Coach (Neil) Callaway (offensive line coach). Everything pointed toward SC, it felt right.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I went up there on Thursday, I tried to keep it low-key. I committed to Coach Helton on the 50-yard line of the Coliseum.”

How did Coach Helton respond when you committed?

“He actually picked me up, it was funny.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?

“I actually cried. I was with my parents, it was a good moment – a special moment and in the Coliseum at the 50-yard line with Coach Helton.”

Do you plan to take your official visits this fall other than to USC?

“No.”

Are you going to start recruiting other players to come join you at USC?

“Yeah, I have already begun.”

Who are you recruiting?

“I’m mainly recruiting o-line guys like Alijah Vera-Tucker (Oakland, CA), Wyatt Davis (Bellflower, CA), Chuck Filiaga (Aledo, TX), Austin Jackson (Phoenix, AZ), Andrew Vorhees (Kingsburg, CA), and Foster Sarell (Graham, WA).

How are you pitching all of the guys?

“I’m letting them know it is a perfect fit. We’ll all get to play on the west coast, our family can come watch us play, and SC is on the rise. USC will do big things coming up. I will have different speeches to all the guys but the point is if we all come together to create a great class. USC has great academics, it is a private school, and has a rich tradition. I have some tricks up my sleeve.”

Are you going to camp at USC this summer?

“No, but I’m going up there and hanging out when the commits go up.”

Are you doing anything fun this summer? Do you have any big plans?

“I have the Rivals thing coming up, but other than that we’ll see. I’m going to keep grinding in the weight room.”

What are you maxes out on bench, squat, and power clean now?

“My Bench is 425, my squat is 585, and my clean is 315.”

Very impressive.

“Thank you.”

Brett, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your commitment to USC.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Neilon family; Brett (No. 61) with family and Coach Helton at the Coliseum.

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Brett Neilon.