(Photo: Gerard Martinez, 247Sports)

 

The sun always sets in the West, and La Verne (Calif.) Damien four-star safety Gavin Williams decided Sunday that the sun would set on his recruitment by announcing his commitment to USC.

“USC has always been home to me,” said Williams. “I’ve been to so many games, and the going there as a recruit, it has always felt like home.

“There really is nothing else like it. There isn’t anything I don’t like about USC.”

Williams committed to USC over Notre Dame, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Michigan was also a major contender in his recruitment, but after a canceled unofficial visit to Ann Arbor (Mich.) due to a weather delay, the Wolverines were out of the running.

In the end, it came down to an Irish battle versus the Trojans, and the home team won out.

“My mom — I love her so much,” said Williams. “This very much was a family decision.

“My mom, my sister, my brothers are all I have. I have to take care of them, so having them close and being able to come out and see me anytime was something I thought a lot about.”

Williams is ranked the nation’s No. 6 safety according to 247Sports and the No. 86 overall in the class of 2027. As a junior, Williams finished with 63 tackles, five for losses, eight pass breakups, and two interceptions. He also caught 23 passes for 401 yards and four scores as a wide receiver for the Spartans.

At 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, Williams was recruited to USC by defensive backs coach Paul Gonzales. The Trojans football staff flew into the Inland Empire by helicopter last week to visit Damien High School. USC is recruiting Williams to play weak safety, in their new 4-2-5 scheme under Gary Patterson.

While several of the Trojans’ commits have recently released recruiting “shut down” announcements in recent weeks, Williams is well past that phase of his journey.

“I don’t need to take any OV’s,” said Williams. “I’ve been to all of these schools many times.

“I knew committing I would just take the one visit to the school I committed to. The recruiting process has had so many ups and downs, I low-key am glad to commit and get things over with. Now I’m just looking forward to having fun and focusing on my senior season.”

Williams did make it clear he was humbled by the amount of resources and attention schools gave him the past few months.

“Recruiting truly is a blessing, but it can also get overwhelming and be a lot to handle,” said Williams. “I am grateful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but yeah, it can get crazy.”

The Trojans now have 14 commitments in the class of 2027.

On offense, the Trojans have verbal commitments from Anaheim (Calif.) Servite offensive tackle Drew Fielder, Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral wide receiver Eli Woodard,  San Mateo (Calif.) JSerra three-star tight end Jace Cannon, Lake Charles (La.) Hamilton Christian Academy running back Javon Vital and Corona (Calif.) Centennial wide receiver Quentin Hale. Friday, Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton four-star Roye Oliver III reclassified for the class of 2027 as well. 

Defensively, USC has commitments from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy cornerback Aaryn Washington, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei cornerback Danny Lang, San Diego (Calif.) Cathedral Catholic athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, Greenwich (Conn.) Country Day four-star edge rusher Mekai Brown, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian four-star defensive lineman Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, Santa Margarita (Calif.) defensive lineman Isaia Vandermade and Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco linebacker Josiah Poyer.