Good morning! It was a huge week for USC football as the Trojans secured their first newcomers from the early signing period. Hear from Lincoln Riley about how he feels about his signing class so far.

🎄 The Three Torches will be taking a break next week for the holidays. We look forward to bringing you all the USC action in the new year!

What else can you find in today's Brew?

📝 Early Signing Period additions
🏀 Women’s basketball recap
⚔️ And much, much more!

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🔼 Got It Done. The Women of Troy headed down to Long Beach State for USC women’s basketball’s final non-conference game and took care of business, 85-77. The Trojans were tested in their first true road contest of the season, but McKenzie Forbes was up to the task as she put up a career-high 36 points. Kayla Padilla finished as the only other scorer in double-digits for USC with 16 points behind a season-high four made threes.

Next up, the Trojans will begin Pac-12 play against UCLA on Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.

🔼 Bowl Season. For the first time in program history, Trojan football will take on the Pac-12 runner-up Louisville Cardinals on Dec. 27 in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl. This year’s bowl appearance marks the 57th all-time bowl game for the Trojans in its storied history.

Dec. 27th’s matchup will be USC's fourth appearance in the Holiday Bowl, all in the past 10 seasons. USC beat Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl in 2014, 45-42, fell to Wisconsin the following year, 21-23, and lost to Iowa 24-49 in 2019. Meanwhile, it will be the first appearance for Louisville having never played in the Holiday Bowl. 

🔼 Headed to the Sand. The six-time national champs have added another weapon to their roster. USC beach volleyball is welcoming Molly Phillips, a two-time AVCA All-Southwest Region Team member and a three-time All-Big-12 team selection, from the University of Texas.

🗣️ "Molly is a two-time NCAA indoor volleyball champion and a proven winner. We're extremely excited to welcome her to the Trojan Family and to assist her in reaching all of her goals and potential on the sand.” - Dain Blanton

📚️ Read more about Phillips and her past achievements as she prepares to join the Trojans in LA

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Star Power. Trojan football had a successful signing day with 19 players added to the Class of 2024. The newcomers will be ready to prove themselves as many will be coming in with quite a few stars attached to their name.

Our question today: do you know how many Trojans from the early signing period was considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports, 247Composite, On3, On3 Consensus, Rivals.com or ESPN.com?

Think you got it? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

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⚔️ ONE BIG THING

The Early Signing Period for USC football was a good one as 19 players decided to join the Trojans in the Class of 2024. A few big names highlighted a successful group of recruits by Lincoln Riley and his staff.

📝 The No. 4 player in the state of California will call USC his home. Wide receiver Xavier Jordan is joining the Trojans as the No. 13 wideout in the country after racking up 600 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season at Sierra Canyon HS.

📝 Four-star recruit and No. 5 cornerback in the country, Marcelles Williams, is now a Trojan. During his senior season, he recorded 65 tackles, 2 INTs 8 PBUs and 1 blocked field goal to help St. John Bosco win the 2023 CIF State Football Open Division Championship.

📝 Walter Matthews is headed to USC as a four-star recruit and the country’s No. 2 tight end prospect. The 2023 All-Region 7-5A First Team selection hauled in 25 catches for 341 yards and a touchdown.

📝 USC landed Jason Zandamela, the consensus No. 1 interior lineman in the country. The former rugby player, who had never even heard of football before coming to America in 2020, helped block for an offense that averaged 7.8 yards per carry and totaled 198.2 yards per game.

📚️ Read more about the complete list of the newest members of USC football

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

*All times Pacific

Friday, Dec. 22

No scheduled events

Saturday, Dec. 23

No scheduled events

Sunday, Dec. 24

No scheduled events

Wednesday, Dec. 27

🏈 Football vs. Louisville in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl @ 5:00pm in San Diego, CA | Tickets | Watch | Live Stats

⚔️ Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 16!

Sixteen players from USC’s early signing period are coming in as four-star recruits!

⚔️ Have a great weekend, everyone!