Santa Margarita two-way lineman Isaia Vandermade Isaia Vandermade 6'4" | 285 lbs | DL Santa Margarita | 2027 State CA announced his commitment to USC on Tuesday.

Vandermade had 9.5 tackles for a loss in the playoffs with eight sacks and two forced fumbles for a Santa Margarita team that won the Open Division State championship.

He also had offers from BYU, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington among others. Vandermade is the second player from California in USC’s 2027 recruiting class. USC offered Vandermade on February 10.

Vandermade had 9.5 tackles for a loss in the playoffs with eight sacks and two forced fumbles for a Santa Margarita team that won the Open Division State championship.

Vandermade had eight tackles with three sacks for Santa Margarita in its 42-7 win over Centennial in the Division 1 championship game. All three of his sacks came in the first half. Vandermade had eight sacks in Santa Margarita’s three playoff games.

Vandermade has five sacks and two forced fumbles in the playoffs so far. He has been one of the best defensive players in the Section in the playoffs and is a headache for offensive linemen. Jason Perez, Tonga Uhila and Manoah Faupusa Manoah Faupusa 6'2" | 310 lbs | DL Santa Margarita | 2026 State CA also play defensive line for the Eagles.

Vandermade had seven tackles with three sacks and a forced fumble for Santa Margarita in a win over Sierra Canyon.

Vandermade is putting together an outstanding start to his second prep season in the tough WCAL, and is one of the top interior defensive lineman across the state in his class. He is extremly explosive off the ball, has violent and quick hands at the POA while able to collapse the pocket from the interior, take on double teams and shows quick block recognition in the run game. Overall, he is a very polished player with still two years left in his high school career. He has seen offers roll in from Washington and south Florida, and is now up to 4 offers, and should be a 10+ offer kid by the end of next Spring.

Vandermade has been solidifying himself as one of the top prospects in the 2027 class across California, and recently picked up another offer from the University of South Florida this past week. He is a twitchy interior defender with violent hands, excellent COD abilities and wins with leverage, power and a quick lockout at the POA. The SI product is a very technically sound player for his age, and plays with a good motor and hand violence both when pass rushing and defending the run. Vandermade will be a 15+ offer kid by the time it’s all said and done and one of the top interior ’27 pass rushers in the state.

High level potential and raw ability. Already has a solid frame with good length and weight distribution at 6’4” 285 lbs. Plays with a good base and possesses natural strength to win at the contact point and move defenders. Flashes good body control and coordination to be on time and accurate when working to the second level or perimeter. Shows he can establish positional leverage and engage a block in space. Adapts well to pressure in his pass set and when facing different defensive fronts. First discovered by PRZ as an eighth grader and will continue to rise throughout this high school career. Picked up two offers after a strong showing at the Sacramento State camp and San Jose State camp in June.

2 Offers: San Diego State, San Jose State

Vandermade has the potential to be one of the top 2027 OL recruits in the region when all is said and done. Already holds ideal size and length to play multiple positions at the college level at 6’4” 270 lbs. with good weight distribution in his frame. Raw power and strength allow him to move defenders off the ball and violently finish through initial contact. Plays with leverage and good pad level throughout the play and uses his hands well to latch on and sustain. Demonstrates a good understanding and ability to adapt to pressure and different defensive fronts/stunts as the play develops. Colleges will love his movement skills and footwork blocking in space and getting in front as a puller. Shows he can match lateral movement and maintain positioning against quick and athletic defenders. Performed well on the camp circuit this offseason resulting in his first two offers from San Jose State and San Diego State with more on the way.