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Mater Dei High School, located in Orange County, has established itself as one of the premier high school football programs in the nation, particularly over the last decade. The Monarchs consistently contend for state and national championships and supply a wealth of Power Four talent across multiple positions each recruiting cycle.
Recent Mater Dei alumni have made early waves in college football. Former USC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown emerged as a standout true freshman. In 2024, Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown started from day one—a rarity at that program—and tied for the team lead with three interceptions, including one that sealed a win over then-No. 2 Georgia. That same season, Georgia running back Nate Frazier appeared in all 13 games, starting three, and led the Bulldogs with 671 rushing yards while finishing second in rushing touchdowns with eight. Frazier played a key role in Georgia capturing the SEC Championship and reaching the College Football Playoff. At Oregon, running back Jordon Davison finished second on the team in rushing yards (667) and first in rushing touchdowns (15), helping form a three-headed monster in the backfield. Penn State cornerback Daryus Dixon contributed in all 13 games, starting twice and breaking up six passes.
USC's Mater Dei Freshmen Poised for Impact
The Trojans reloaded around quarterback Jayden Maiava with two highly touted pass-catchers from Mater Dei: five-star tight end Mark Bowman and four-star receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. After losing their top two tight ends, USC sees Bowman as a potential day-one starter and focal point of the offense due to his talent, positional flexibility, and advanced skill set. Dixon-Wyatt, an explosive target at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, excels off the line, as a route runner, and after the catch, with a knack for acrobatic grabs. He is expected to be part of the receiver rotation as a freshman and could earn a starting role at some point.
On defense, four-star defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui (6-foot-3, 325 pounds) brings a combination of power and underrated quickness that could impact the Trojans' front. Despite the interior defensive line being the deepest unit on the roster, Topui could carve out a rotational role with a strong fall camp. Linebacker Shaun Scott, a four-star recruit and second-team MaxPreps All-American as a defensive lineman, played some linebacker at Mater Dei but was primarily used off the edge. While he may not contribute significantly at linebacker this season, he could make an impact on special teams.