USC commit Roy Hemsley and his Los Angeles (California) Windward squad hosted Brentwood (California) School on Thursday afternoon, and while his team ultimately came out on the losing end of the contest, the big Class of 2015 offensive tackle still managed to have a solid day individually -- and he did so with Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian in attendance.
“I saw him here,” Hemsely said of Sarkisian. “It means a lot to me. I feel like I’m one of their top recruits. They’ve made a really big effort of recruiting me and letting me know that I’m one of their guys. I just feel welcomed by the whole team.”
Hemsley, who lined up at left tackle on offense and defensive tackle on the other side of the ball, has made strides from just a year ago, and it’s noticeable from the first moment you see him. Having switched his focus from basketball to football this past offseason, he made a concerted effort to add 20 pounds to his 6-foot-6 frame so that he now weighs right around 300 pounds.
“I just feel like I’m a more physical player,” Hemsley said. “I feel like I’ve improved a lot over the last year. I’m just looking to improve and grow every game.”
Having committed to the Trojans this past May, Hemsley says that he still continues to hear from Arizona State. However, he has shut down the recruiting process for the most part recently, and that the only official visit that he plans on taking at this point is to USC -- likely in November.
“I’m cool with my decision so far,” Hemsley said. ”Great school, great program. I can get a great degree so I just decided I’m fine with where I committed.”
Hemsley will be out of town this weekend so he won’t be on hand at the Coliseum on Saturday when USC takes on ASU. But he has been at the Trojans’ other two home games this season, and he’s liked what he’s seen.
“I’m really excited,” Hemsley said. “I see they have a balanced offense. Their D-line is just absolutely spectacular. Coach [Chris] Wilson is doing a great job of coaching those guys so I’m excited to practice against them and improve every day.”
Hemsley has already gotten to know a number of other USC commits, including quarterback Ricky Town (Ventura, California/St. Bonaventure), defensive lineman Jacob Daniel (Fresno, California/Clovis North) and defensive lineman Noah Jefferson (Henderson, Nevada/Liberty). And during last weekend’s Trojans victory over Oregon State, he was able to spend time with offensive lineman Chuma Edoga (Powder Springs, Georgia/McEachern), who was in town on his official visit.
“I talked to Chuma a good amount,” Hemsley said. “He just described how his season is going and the things he’s been doing to improve, and I’ve just taken some of his tutelage and tried to improve every day.”
Hemsley has also taken on the role of a recruiter for the Trojans, particularly with tailback Soso Jamabo (Plano, Texas/Plano West), whom he knows well through basketball.
“I’m just pitching that it’s a great place to be,” Hemsley said. “I’m just like, ‘Why not sunny California? You get a great education ..."
As of right now, Hemsley is slated to graduate in the spring. Assuming he inks with the Trojans, he could arrive on campus early next summer. But as he revealed on Wednesday, there is a chance he’ll be at USC much sooner than that. He’s exploring the possibility of graduating early so that he can participate in spring drills in March and April.
“If I were presented with the opportunity, I would for sure graduate early. But I’m still working on it with administration, to see whether or not they’ll let me,” Hemsley said. “If they let me, I will.”