#49
Simote Katoanga
Returning to USC for 2026
Oceanside, Calif. → Santa Margarita Catholic HS
via usctrojans.com ↗Simote Katoanga
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
Career Arc
HS
Recruit
★★★★
CFB
College
—
NFL
NFL Draft
—
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Lincoln Riley
How he plays
2026 Outlook
USC
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive end · USC
Returning around him
- 3 USC players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -13 net (9 in / 22 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
USC · Last season: 9-4 (AP #16) · Talent rank #17 · 2026 recruiting class #1
Background
2026: Katoanga, who enrolled at USC in the spring of 2026 after graduating a semester early from high school, looks to compete for playing time at defensive end as a true freshman in 2026. HIGH SCHOOL: Katoanga, a four-star recruit, was ranked as the No. 93 player in the nation by ESPN and No. 18...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology