Watch out, Kirby Smart. USC is hot on the Georgia recruiting trail

Thuc Nhi Nguyen March 30, 2024

Demonta Prather is used to seeing red on the football recruiting trail in Georgia,

but. But

its not usually USCs cardinal that comes through the Manchester (Ga.) High coachs office.

Led by new defensive line coach Eric Henderson, the Trojans stormed the Georgia recruiting trail last weekend by securing

earning

verbal commitments from two top defensive line prospects.

The Trojans already had a pledge from five-star quarterback Julian Lewis from Carrollton, Ga., then in a

single

day added Prathers five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry and the nations top edge rusher

,

Isaiah Gibson

, from of

Warner Robins, Ga., for the 2025 recruiting class.

Terry, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound lineman from Manchester, Ga., flipped a commitment from his home state school Georgia as USC pulled off a task that Terrys head coach knows is extremely tough.

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Its going to be a fight, Prather said of USCs attempt to pull Georgias top recruits away from the SEC powerhouses. But they look like they’re ready for it.

Terry, the nations second-ranked defensive lineman prospect for 2025 according to 247 Sports, had been committed to the Bulldogs for more than a year. Henderson wasnt scared.

Nine days after being hired at USC, the defensive line coach was already at Manchester High about 75 miles south of Atlanta to speak to Terry and his family. It was the first time Prather remembered seeing USC recruiting in Georgia. He hasn’t stopped seeing USC’s influence since.

Its just different seeing a college come from one side of the country to the other side and to make a good impact, Prather said. When coach Henderson first walked into the door, hes an energetic guy, hes just a great person the way he comes off to the kids.

The coach they call Henny didnt waste any time getting back in the recruiting groove after seven years in the NFL. His success at the professional level is an easy pitch to high-level recruits who

mightmay

dream of becoming the next Aaron Donald, but Henderson insisted he’s not trying to sell the program. On the recruiting trail, hes in the business of relationship building.

When you really care about people, people can feel that, Henderson said in his direct staccato tone after practice Thursday. You really want whats best for the young man and his family, I think that always wins in my mind. Then not to mention the developmental process is going to be the best any defensive lineman that comes here can get, in terms of your preparation for the next level. Thats really what you want and if you really have someone that truly cares about you, then theres not a better school than SC.

Hendersons high energy

has

already

has

won over USCs current players, who are connecting with his no-nonsense demeanor as well as his technical savvy.

His approach has been awesome, defensive end Jamil Muhammad said. He takes no slack at all, hes just been coaching us very, very hard.

Hendersons straightforward approach also applies when speaking to recruits. He stays in constant communication with high school players but doesnt

just

make empty promises hoping to earn any prospects pledge.

Hes telling them what they want to hear, Prather said, and what they need to hear.

Last year, Terry led Manchester to its first state championship appearance in 26 years. Hes not only dominant on the field, but he’s

alsohes

the teams hardest worker, Prather said

raved

. He patiently helps younger teammates through new drills. He motivates them if he sees anyone struggling during conditioning drills.

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The responsibility of being a leader

, however,

isnt always easy, Prather said. Terry shouldered an unimaginable burden when teammate and fellow defensive lineman Brandon Smith was found shot and killed the night before Manchester’s state title game in December. He was 17. Terry and fellow team captain Javon Favors carried Smiths No. 52 jersey to midfield for the pregame coin toss.

He took that experience and just kept himself together, Prather said. And helped keep the team together also.

After the one-point loss in the championship game, Prather commended his players for their resilience. He told them they did something that I dont think some adults could do.”

In the three months since, Prather has seen his players take motivation to become not only better players, but

also

better people.

In Terry, Prather knows USC is getting someone who

hasis

elite skills in both categories.

Theyre getting, Prather said, probably one of the best kids I know.