Simote Katoanga

Physical Profile

Katoanga owns one of the more projectable frames in the 2026 defensive line class — a legitimate 6-5 with a thick lower half and room to comfortably carry 265-280 pounds without losing edge quickness. He has tested reasonably well for his size, and his length shows up functionally in his long-arm rush and ability to stack blockers at the point of attack. The frame gives him true positional flexibility: he can stay outside as a base end in an odd or even front, or add mass and kick inside to 4i/5-technique as his body matures.

Play Style

Katoanga is a power-first edge defender. On film he is at his best getting a quick jump off the ball and rolling immediately into a bull rush, frequently finishing with a long-arm to collapse the pocket. He sets a physical edge in the run game and shows the strength to reset the line of scrimmage against down blocks. His junior tape and his Under Armour Next Los Angeles camp showing — where he earned 'Alpha Dog' honors from 247Sports — confirm the raw power translates against elite competition, though he wins with tools and effort more than a refined rush arsenal at this stage.

Strengths

• Power at the point of attack — one of the most physically dominant edge players in the CIF Southern Section, capable of overwhelming high school tackles with a bull rush and converting speed to power when he gets a jump off the snap
• Effective long-arm technique — consistently uses length to control blockers, keep his chest clean, and walk linemen back into the pocket rather than relying purely on athleticism
• High motor and relentless pursuit — plays with desired energy for stretches, is physical in run support, and forces his way into the backfield through effort even when his first move stalls
• Positional versatility — has rushed off the edge and from interior alignments, and his frame supports either a stand-up edge role or a hand-in-the-dirt end/tackle projection at the college level

Areas to Improve

• Pass-rush polish — evaluators note he 'leaves too many bites on the plate,' lacking a developed counter plan when his initial power move is neutralized; needs a refined hand-fighting sequence and a go-to secondary move
• Consistency of snap-to-snap intensity — the motor runs hot in stretches, but sustaining that effort level and pad discipline for full games against college-caliber tackles will determine how quickly he sees the field

College Projection

Committed to USC, where he fits the defensive front rebuild under this staff. Expect a developmental first year — likely rotational snaps or a redshirt while he adds mass and builds a rush plan — with a path to meaningful rotation work by Year 2 and a starting edge or strongside end role by Year 3. If he outgrows the edge, an inside move to 4i/5-technique extends his value rather than capping it. His floor as a physical, high-motor run defender should get him on the field earlier in run-heavy packages.

NFL Outlook

Legitimate NFL draft trajectory if development tracks. The combination of a 6-5 frame, functional length, and natural power is the archetype NFL teams draft on traits — base 4-3 end or 3-4 5-technique. His ceiling is a Day 2 pick if he develops a genuine pass-rush repertoire to pair with the power; his floor is a run-stuffing rotational end whose draft stock depends on production. The 0.9319 composite historically correlates with NFL-caliber outcomes at a meaningful rate, but the 'lacks polish' evaluation means the three-to-four-year development arc at USC will decide it.

Best Fit

A Power Four program with a strong defensive line development track record and a scheme that values power edges — multiple fronts where he can align from wide-9 down to 4i. USC is a sound fit given proximity, the staff's SoCal recruiting emphasis, and a defense that will let him rush from multiple alignments. Ideal usage early: run-down edge setter with designed interior rush packages on passing downs while his edge counters develop.