Oregon State transfer linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and safety Akili Arnold, defensive prospects the Arizona Wildcats targeted in the portal, announced their commitment to USC over the weekend.
The brothers visited Arizona earlier this month. They also garnered interest from Texas A&M.Β Β
Mascarenas-Arnold, a Mission Viejo, California, native who signed with Oregon State over Arizona as a four-star recruit in 2021, is the son of former UA softball third baseman and All-American Toni Mascarenas. Mascarenas-Arnold, an All-Pac-12 selection, and Arnold join a USC defense that just hired former UCLA defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn for the same role.Β
As a sophomore this season, Mascarenas-Arnold was second in the Pac-12 in tackles (107) behind Arizona's Jacob Manu, an All-Pac-12 selection who will lead a linebacker room that also includes redshirt sophomore Justin Flowe and junior Daniel Heimuli, along with freshmen Kamuela Ka'aihue, Taye Brown and Leviticus Su'a.
Despite missing out on Arnold, who had 62 tackles and two interceptions this season, the Wildcats are expected to return both free safety Gunner Maldonado and strong safety Dalton Johnson, along with freshmen Genesis Smith and Gavin Hunter and junior DJ Warnell.Β Β
Arizona also hosted Tennessee transfer safety Jack Luttrell over the weekend for an official visit. The 6-foot, 180-pound Luttrell signed with the Volunteers over Texas A&M, Colorado, Arkansas and Notre Dame, among others, as a three-star prospect from Moultrie, Georgia in 2023.
Former four-star recruit and Missouri transfer D.J. Wesolak, a 6-4, 235-pound edge rusher, was also in Tucson visiting over the weekend.
Arizona currently has two players committed in the transfer portal: Indiana cornerback Jordan Shaw and UC Davis defensive tackle Chubba Maae.Β
