Shamar Arnoux’s recruitment by USC football was rapid, culminating in his commitment to the school on Wednesday morning. USC was the last to offer a scholarship to the 6-foot-2, 175-pound cornerback. His first offer came over two years ago from Mississippi State, and Tennessee, initially the favorite, offered him in the summer of 2022. USC made its move on June 16th, and just two days later, Arnoux had an official visit, leading to his decision. The 45th nationally ranked CB will join his classmate, top-ranked 2025 QB Julian Lewis, at USC.
Lewis committed to USC last August but continues to take official visits with other interested parties. This spate of decommitments has led many to question Lewis’s commitment level. Perhaps USC football’s sudden interest in Arnoux is related to this small yet significant exodus of talent.
Arnoux was actively pursued by several schools, with Tennessee being a frontrunner. He initially committed to Tennessee in April 2023 but decommitted 10 months later. Since then, he visited Florida State and Auburn.
There is no concrete evidence that USC’s quick pivot to offering Arnoux was driven by concerns over losing Lewis, but it appears to be an effort to secure his commitment by appealing to his Carrollton High School teammate.
Regardless of the reasons behind Arnoux’s recruitment, it is a win-win for USC. Adding a three-star defensive back is beneficial, but more importantly, it helps in securing Lincoln Riley’s next great QB. Having a familiar face from small-town Georgia will support Lewis as he transitions to USC.
Securing the most critical position in team sports, especially in a Riley offense, is paramount. Riley’s track record of producing three Heisman Trophy winners in seven seasons as a head coach is largely due to his exceptional recruiting efforts.
