USC Football: Huge Boost as USC Trojans Adds Another Highly-Rated Elite, 6-foot-6, weighing 295 pounds commit

Finally, four-star offensive lineman Card Smith has declared his commitment.

Smith was expected to join the Trojans, and that has now become official. In an interview with On3 host Josh Newberg, Smith shared:

“When I visited for my official tour, I fell in love with the place. Many people believe it’s all about the money, but that’s not the case,” Smith remarked.

“After speaking with Coach Riley, I truly feel he’s the best in the game,” he added.

The highly-rated offensive tackle is included in ESPN’s top 300 recruits for the 2025 class, ranking at No. 286. Among the 39 players yet to commit, only eight are offensive linemen.

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 295 pounds, Smith hails from Mobile, Alabama. He is ranked as the No. 21 offensive tackle in the 2025 class and is also the No. 15 prospect from Alabama.

Smith has received offers from a number of schools, including Auburn, Arkansas, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State, Marshall, Miami, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Troy, Tulane, Tuskegee, UAB, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and LSU.

Originally, Smith committed to Auburn in April but informed the school in June about his decision to decommit.

In a June 26 social media post, Smith stated:

“Dear Auburn nation, after much contemplation and prayer, I have decided to decommit from Auburn University. This was a very challenging decision for me and my family. I want to thank the entire Auburn coaching staff for their dedication and hard work in recruiting me. I hope you can respect my decision.”

Smith will bolster an offensive line that struggled in 2023. While quarterback Caleb Williams managed to evade trouble and extend plays with his legs, solid protection is crucial.

The Trojans are looking to enhance their protection for potential starter Miller Moss in 2024. With a new coaching staff under Lincoln Riley, the team aims to improve their offensive line issues as they transition to the Big Ten Conference.

Whoever steps in as quarterback in 2025 will have an incredibly athletic lineman in Card Smith to safeguard them. Although Smith may need a year or two to fully develop, he possesses the skills to become a starter from day one.