Santa Margarita (Calif.) 2028 three-star running back Jaion Smith worked out at USC on Thursday, June 11 and walked away with his “dream offer” from the Trojans. “I just love the city, I love being out here," Smith said. "Families here, I don't want to go too far away from my family, and they can drive maybe 20 minutes to come see me play or even come visit me.”Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesSmith has family ties to USC. His cousin is former star cornerback Jaylin Smith, who was selected in the third round by the Houston Texans in the 2025 NFL Draft. “Being younger, looking at him like, wow, this could be me one day,” Smith said. "Time went by, keeping my head down, working, and now it just came, and it feels good.”Santa Margarita to USC Pipeline Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer prepares to address the crowd during his Ring of Honor induction ceremony during halftime against the Seattle Seahawks September 29, 2019.