More Than Blood Brothers

A Q&A with Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Akili Arnold

The Trojan defensive duo of Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Akili Arnold are no strangers to the lore of USC. Having grown up in Southern California, the duo knew when they entered the transfer portal after last season that they wanted to share their final chapter of college football together. Though not technically related, Akili and Easton officially became brothers when Akili’s dad and Easton’s mom got married while the kids were in middle school. Having been friends for years through football before that, it only added to the bond that their blended family shared. House of Victory sat down with them to hear more about their unconventional brotherhood, the power of family and what their goals are on and beyond the gridiron.

House of Victory (HOV): Tell us about your family, how you became brothers and how that changed things for you.

Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (EMA): I was an only child, so for me I was used to being alone, I spent a lot of time with friends and it was different to have someone around all the time to share things with. It was a big switch as a kid. But as I matured and got older it was always cool to have Akili around.

Akili Arnold (AA): My oldest brother is six years older than me, and my oldest sister is three years older, so I was the baby until Easton came about. Even then, my siblings were always doing their own thing, I never really hung out with my older siblings, they were with their own friends. And then it was really just me and Easton. 

HOV: Describe your relationship with each other.

AA: It’s very childish with each other (laughs) we always mess around with each other.

EMA: We’ve been through enough together that by now, we know how each other work. I can’t remember the last time we’ve been mad at each other within the past couple of years. 

AA: The only time we got mad at each other recently, like actually mad, was during COVID playing basketball in quarantine.

(Both laugh knowingly.)

HOV: When you were done with high school, did you know you wanted to keep playing together? Obviously, it’s pretty rare to be able to play alongside your brother in college, and now you’ve been able to do it twice.

AA: I don’t think we thought about it like that. 

EMA: No we didn’t. 

AA: I thought Easton was going to go somewhere way bigger than me, then COVID happened, and I think we both would say it worked out. I think it’s pretty cool. We never really played on the same side of the ball until high school. So, really college is the most we’ve ever played with each other as far as being on the field at the same time. It’s dope, but I try not to make a big deal out of it because I’m used to it now.

EMA: Sometimes it hits me, like I’m really playing with my brother. Especially on game day. It just hits a little different.

AA: It’s like we’ve been waiting for this.

EMA: You’re going out there with your true family. No matter what else happens.

HOV: When you knew you were going to transfer from Oregon State, were you looking for somewhere you could play together?

AA: Yes, but if someone got a better opportunity, we would have had to accept whatever was best for each other. 

EMA: We wanted to, but as the process kept going, we just kept talking and making sure we were okay to split up depending on what opportunities were coming up. It’s rare enough to go to the same college the first time, but the second time it’s kind of a miracle.

HOV: Why was USC the best fit for both of you? 

AA: Scheme. Coach Lynn. The way he explained his defense and his scheme and the way it all fit together. It had some similarities to what we were used to and I thought it would be easier to transition here than a whole new scheme. And we’re here with family.

EMA: Exactly. Just being closer to home, having family at every game.

HOV: Being from Southern California, and now being able to come back home, what does it mean to you to play at USC and be part of a group that is turning around the USC defense so immediately?

AA: It’s kind of surreal. I never dreamed about playing at USC because I never thought it was possible. It’s surreal to be here and have such a sound defense. Having people who actually trust us and believe in us is so different. I could tell how people perceived the defense when I first got here. Everyone trusts us rather than questions us.

EMA: It's pretty cool to be a part of something like this. Years from now, I'll look back and be like, man, that was crazy.

HOV: What are your future goals? Both in football and beyond? 

EMA: We’re both focused on trying to make it to the league. We’ve come this far, why not try and live out this dream. We’re focused on enjoying this season and then trying to support our family through football as long as we can.

AA: Number one goal is to go to the league. Football doesn’t last forever, but I want to see how far we can take it. After that, who knows. I just want to be able to use my connections from everywhere I’ve been, from Oregon State to USC to use the connections and resources that both offer and find that next step to provide for our family and give back. We’re actually able to help them out for the first time, and we want to keep that going as long as we can.