"I'm keeping my options open": USC commit Isaiah Gibson expresses true feelings amid reports of official Auburn visit

Isaiah Gibson, a four-star edge rusher from Warner Robins, Georgia, hit the headlines this spring with his commitment to USC on his first visit to the West Coast. Despite his commitment to the Trojans, he wants to keep his options open, planning several official visits to other schools, including Auburn.

Gibson's approach to his recruitment process is strategic and open-minded. In an interview with On3’s Chad Simmons earlier in May, he shared his reasons for exploring other options.

“I would say I’m committed, but I’m not going to lower my options,” Gibson said. “I feel like you’ve got to keep your options open because anything can happen. You never know — a coaching staff might leave, a coaching staff might come. In college football, coaching staffs can change every year. That’s really the reason I’m keeping my options open.”

Gibson expressed his eagerness to explore what Auburn has to offer, saying:

"I just want to get out there."

This visit is a significant opportunity for both Gibson and Auburn, as the Tigers will look to impress one of the most coveted recruits in the 2025 class.

In 2023, Gibson pushed the Warner Robins to the quarterfinals of Georgia’s AAAAA playoffs. He led in sacks (17) and pressures (55). His performance in 2022 was equally impressive, totaling 33 tackles, 24 quarterback hurries and six sacks. He is ranked as the nation's No. 17 overall prospect and the top edge rusher in the class of 2025.

Why did Georgia fail to commit Isaiah Gibson?

Isaiah Gibson left Georgia football fans scratching their heads when he committed to USC, despite strong ties to the Georgia coaching staff. The edge rusher's decision raised a lot of questions about why Georgia failed to secure him.

Gibson himself acknowledged the deep connections he had with the Georgia coaching staff, saying:

“With Georgia, it’s the relationships that I have with Georgia. Coach Diribe, Coach Scott and Coach Smart — I have a relationship with the whole team, with the offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator. I have, like, everybody — Coach Schumann — we all have a really tight relationship."

However, USC's defensive line coach, Eric Henderson, managed to sway Gibson during his visit to Los Angeles. The commitment of fellow five-star recruit Justus Terry to USC also played a role in Gibson's decision. The Trojans leveraged the momentum generated by Terry's commitment, effectively sealing the deal with Gibson.

Despite his commitment to USC, Gibson remained active in his recruitment process, visiting multiple campuses. His recruitment journey will continue with planned visits to Oklahoma, South Carolina, Auburn, Ohio State and Florida.

Georgia may have missed out on securing his commitment, but the recruitment process is far from over. It remains to be seen if Gibson stays committed to the Trojans or if Georgia can sway him to its side.