Rancho Santa Margarita’s own Simote Katoanga just made a big decision. The talented four-star EDGE has committed to play for USC.
He had some tough choices, picking USC over top programs like Oregon, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.
Katoanga is ranked as the No. 95 overall prospect and the 10th best EDGE player for 2026, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. This ranking combines insights from all the major recruiting media companies. And in California? He’s sitting at No. 12.
But here’s a fun twist: On3 actually thinks even more highly of him. They place the 6-foot-5, 240-pound athlete as the No. 52 recruit, No. 8 EDGE, and No. 7 player in the Golden State.
This commitment is another feather in the cap for head coach Lincoln Riley and his team. They’re aiming for that No. 1 spot in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings early on this year. Just days ago, they also managed to snag Jonas Williams, a four-star quarterback, away from Oregon.
Katoanga has visited USC four times already, with his most recent trip happening earlier this month. It seems the coaching staff really rolled out the red carpet for him, making sure he felt like a priority. And it worked—he committed even before spring rolled around.
“One of the biggest highlights of my visit was my meetings with the coaches,” Katoanga told On3 after his latest visit. “I spoke with coach **D’Anton Lynn**, coach **Shaun Nua**, coach **Eric Henderson**, and coach **Lincoln Riley**. They make me feel needed and like a priority. I love what they are building and can’t wait to see what their future looks like.”
What does this mean for USC? Well, with talents like Katoanga joining the ranks, their future looks pretty bright. Can they climb to the top of the rankings? Only time will tell.
