Interview: DL Keyshon Camp talks verbal commitment to USC Trojans
Written by Ryan Wright
Slowly and quietly USC is piecing together another Top 5 recruiting class. The 2016 pledge list already includes 5-star recruits in linebackers Daelin Hayes and Mique Juarez along with 4-star offensive linemen Frank Martin and Melquise Stovall and now they can add 4-star defensive lineman Keyshon Camp to the mix.
Camp arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday, leaving on Saturday morning without giving his commitment. He wanted to talk over his decision first with his family first keeping the USC coaches waiting until Camp could complete the plane ride back across country to Florida before calling head coach Steve Sarkisian with the good news.
USC nabbed Camp over 23 other offers from teams like Miami, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Iowa State, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Tennessee, UCLA, and South Carolina.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview we caught up with the 6’4”, 275 pound, Lakeland area talent getting the inside scoop on his commitment to USC.
Keyshon, congratulations on your commitment to USC.
“Thank you.”
When did you get into LA?
“I got in on Tuesday.”
Which days did you camp at USC?
“I only camped on Wednesday.”
When did you get back to Florida?
“I got back this morning.”
What influenced you to commit to USC today?
“I was going to commit while I was up there but I had to get back and talk it over with my family. Like I said, they were No. 1 on my list. When I got up to the school and talked to the coaches I wanted to get back and talk to my parents and discuss it over with them. They said it did not matter to them. They were happy with wherever I went.”
How did the commitment take place?
“I was at home. It took place when I got back home. I called him and told him I was committing.”
Which coach did you commit to on the USC staff?
“Coach (Steve) Sarkisian (head coach).”
What was the reaction of the coaches?
“He said, “Welcome to the Trojans’ family and Fight On.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I was excited.”
When you finally committed how did you feel? Did you feel relieved?
“Yes sir.”
Have they talked about how they will use you schematically once you are on campus?
“Yes sir. I’ll be more like Leonard Williams where I will move around. I’ll go from a 3 to a 4.”
Do you still plan to take your visits during your senior season?
“Yes sir.”
Do you have an idea which schools will get your official visits outside of USC?
“Michigan, Oregon, and UCLA.”
Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you at USC?
“I won’t try to recruit them but I’ll talk to them about why I like it. If they want to join on they can.”
When you were at USC for the camp and got to hang out with some of the other current Trojans verbal commitments did you guys already start bonding and talking to each other like teammates?
“Yes sir. We’d talk after the camp and during the one-on-ones in team periods. I was asking them how they like being committed to USC and stuff like that. They said they love it. I told them you might be seeing me soon. They were like “Fight On.”
USC Trojans 2016 Commitment List
LB Daelin Hayes, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Skyline HS, Ann Arbor, Michigan
LB Jordan Iosefa, 6’2”, 216 lbs, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, Hawaii
LB Mique Juarez, 6’2”, 222 lbs, North HS, Torrance, California
DE Liam Jimmons, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Huntington Beach HS, Huntington Beach, California
DE Keanu Saleapaga, 6’5”, 270 lbs, La Mirada HS, La Mirada, California
DT Keyshon Camp, 6’4”, 275 lbs, Lake Gibson, Lakeland, Florida
OT Frank Martin, 6’5”, 300 lbs, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, California
OT Nathan Smith, 6’7”, 264 lbs, Murrieta Mesa HS, Murrieta, California
TE Cary Angeline, 6’7”, 230 lbs, Dowingtown East HS, Exton, Pennsylvania
RB Melquise Stovall, 5’8”, 180 lbs, Paraclete HS, Lancaster, California
QB Matt Fink, 6’3”, 185 lbs, Glendora HS, Glendora, California
WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, 6’2”, 205 lbs, North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, Georgia
WR Velus Jones Jr., 5’11”, 180 lbs, Saraland HS, Saraland, Alabama
Photo credit: twitter.com; Keyshon Camp with Coach Steve Sarkisian.