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Southern California is an interesting recruiting territory these days.
In recent years, out-of-state programs like Alabama, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, Notre Dame and Washington have scored significant recruiting victories in the region.
But over the past two offseasons, USC has hired a new general manager, Chad Bowden, who has placed a major emphasis on local recruiting, which led to the No.
1 class in the 2026 cycle.
And UCLA (Bob Chesney) and Cal (Tosh Lupoi) hired new coaches who have been much more engaged on the recruiting trail than their predecessors.
Advertisement Those hires and the programs they oversee are operating with more urgency in the region, which is home to 31 of Californias 35 blue-chip prospects in the Class of 2027 and is one of the more fertile recruiting areas in the country.
To gain more insight into how things are unfolding across the SoCal landscape, which stretches from Los Angeles to San Diego, The Athletic spoke to 10 high school coaches about the recruiting climate.
They were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor to protect relationships.
- Coach 1: A high school head coach - Coach 2: A high school head coach - Coach 3: A high school director of football operations - Coach 4: A high school head coach - Coach 5: A high school head coach - Coach 6: A high school head coach - Coach 7: A high school head coach - Coach 8: A high school head coach - Coach 9: A high school assistant coach - Coach 10: A high school head coach Which school is recruiting the region the best right now? Coach 1: Right now, theres a lot of buzz at UCLA with what coach Chesney has done there.
Theres a buzz within Southern California football about what these guys are bringing.
I think theyve changed the culture in the beginning part (of their tenure).
Coach 2: USC, just on the name recognition of the recruits coming in.
But if you take a look at the delta between what was done last year compared to this (year), I think UCLA is blowing it out of the water.
Coach 3: Id have to say USC from the standpoint (that) they have the most Southern California kids committed.
Cal is second.
I think theyre doing a good job, and UCLA is coming along.
Coach 4: Obviously, USC and UCLA are doing a good job.
Arizona State and Arizona have both been here and consistently with it.
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Oregon, Texas has a strong presence here.
Boise State for sure.
Cal has been doing a really good job.
Stanford as well.
Coach 5: Id probably say Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
So is Alabama.
(Crimson Tide general manager) Courtney Morgan is from Los Angeles and understands the landscape and what it has been historically.
Oregon dominates Southern California.
Coach 6: I feel like Washington does a really good job.
I feel like UCLA, since (Chesney) has done a really good job.
Miami has been out quite a bit, too.
Advertisement Coach 7: UCLA.
They are by far the most aggressive out here.
USC is more old-school.
Yeah, we are SC.
Theyll come to us.
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UCLA is looking under the hood more as far as when it comes to getting to know a player and know the system hes coming from, talking to the staff and the coaches and understanding how the kid is trending, rather than just seeing if they fit the height-weight-speed combination.
Coach 8: It feels like UCLA.
Theyve come on late.
Although Oregon always does a good job of recruiting Southern California.
Coach 9: The two local schools are kicking ass.
Coach 10: In the last 4-5 years, I think its probably Oregon, but USC and UCLA have really picked it up of late.
Whats surprised you most about UCLAs recruiting surge? Coach 2: To me, theyre putting a lot of stock and belief into what Bob Chesneys selling.
I dont necessarily think its a sales job; I think hes really compelling in what he has to say, and hes incredibly dynamic.
Hes just one of these guys you just dont see any reason why you wouldnt believe what hes saying.
Coach 3: Whats surprised me the most is theyre getting some out-of-state kids to come to UCLA some high-level out-of-state kids.
Coach 4: In the past, weve heard a bunch of why they cant do stuff and why theyre different than other schools.
But were not hearing any of that.
Were not hearing any of those excuses.
Theyre excited to be there.
Theyre very active in getting kids on campus.
Coach 5: I think coach Chesney has been doing a really good job of being exciting.
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His staff has been personal and able to relate to student-athletes.
Not to say previous staffs did not, but UCLA has the stigma of being little brother and (a school that) doesnt really care about football and theyre usually late to the party.
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Theyre doing better.
Advertisement Coach 6: They come out in full force on our guys and ready to go.
They seem very energetic and interested.
They develop a really good rapport with the players.
Coach 7: They dont have a lot of Cali guys on staff, so as quickly as they got integrated with California is impressive.
That was a surprise.
When they came out here, they got right into the community.
Youd see their whole staff going to a bunch of different schools when they could.
It might be five, six, seven, eight of their staff at one school and that was pretty impressive.
Coach 9: That coaching staff, top to bottom, is awesome.
I think Chesney has done an amazing job of bringing in the energy.
I went to a couple of their practices and the energy is through the roof, and the kids are feeding off it.
Coach 10: They have a really good coaching staff.
I think they probably have more resources than the last couple of regimes there did.
And they have a nice combination of things going there with a good, energetic, positive staff.
How has USC changed its recruiting approach since Chad Bowden got there? Coach 2: The emphasis obviously is on the West Coast.
They definitely want to lock down the best players on the West Coast.
Thats the No.
1 thing he has done and made a commitment to Were not going to let any of our elite players get out of the area regardless of position.
Coach 3: Theyre up front and they talk about NIL and what that looks like, when before it was vague to say the least.
Now its straight to the point.
You know where it is, you know what your value is and what they want to do.
Coach 4: Weve been very involved with USC over the years.
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Theyve done a great job and are continuing to do a great job.
Coach 5: The focus on out-of-state national kids is more targeted.
Whereas before it was kind of whoever they wanted, theyd pursue nationally, mainly in the South, and it was kind of reflective in the culture.
I heard the cries about, Hey, SC isnt recruiting our kid or coming to recruit our kids.
Theyve changed that.
Advertisement Coach 7: I really dont think it has actually.
Its still USC, and they still lean too much on the past.
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I still think theyre too old school.
I just dont think its what 2026 is.
Things are different now.
The whole landscape is different.
The No.
1 ranking in the commitment class doesnt really mean anything.
It just doesnt.
Oh, they got 20 four- and five-star guys.
Half of those kids aint gonna be there in two years, and a bunch of the other half of those guys aint gonna pan out.
Coach 9: He came in guns blazing, man.
Hes done a great job with recruiting the local guys and getting them to stay home.
Itd been a while where both SC and UCLA werent really recruiting locally for whatever reasons, but when Bowden came in, he made a huge emphasis on recruiting the top-tier guys and keeping them here.
Have you noticed more of a Big Ten presence since expansion? Coach 1: A little bit more.
I think teams are reaching out to Southern California a little more because theyre competing against USC and UCLA, so I think everybody is picking up the pace with regard to Southern California talent.
Coach 2: I have not.
Not at all.
I thought we would, but not at all.
Coach 3: Theyve always been around, but almost every Big Ten school has been out to see us.
Coach 4: Yeah, because theres no excuse not to (come) here now.
Coach 6: For sure.
You have a longer reach now.
Coach 7: Yes.
Absolutely.
Northwestern and Purdue werent here like this years ago.
Ive seen a lot bigger presence from the Big Ten out here.
Coach 8: Not necessarily.
Coach 9: I have, and theyre getting good players, not just the Michigans and Ohio States.
Coach 10: Not really.
I think those that were in the Pac-12 and moved to the Big Ten still have the same amount of presence, but we dont see a lot of those other programs.
Advertisement Which school is the most aggressive with money? Coach 1: From my experience, USC.
Im sure there are others out there as well, but for us, them.
Coach 2: USC, in my opinion.
Coach 3: Texas.
Hands down.
At one time, it was Oregon, but I think people are actually catching up to them.
And USC right now, theyre spending some money.
Coach 4: I dont get involved with that much at all, but without question in my mind, Miami is No.
1.
Coach 5: Oregon and USC.
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Theyre definitely someone throwing their weight around.
And the Texas schools.
Coach 6: I try not to get involved with that because I dont want to get blamed on the back end, but it seems like the Texas schools seem to be a little more aggressive with that.
Coach 7: Theyre all the same, I think.
It just depends on the kid.
Theyll find the money for him if they think he can change the program.
Coach 9: I know its the new norm, but I try not to get involved with that.
I leave that to the players and the families and whatever representatives they have.
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Its a sensitive subject.
Do you deal with programs less now that agents have become prevalent? Coach 1: A little more, to be honest with you.
When kids go into the portal, in the past, it would work through the high school coach or family, but it seems like, especially with the portal, once they leave our campus, its more agent-driven.
Coach 2: I still am very much in contact with the coaches.
Where its changed is I have much stronger relationships with the general managers now than Ive ever had.
Coach 3: Actually, its more.
I get more phone calls now because agents are involved and colleges come to me for help.
Coach 4: No.
In the past, you kind of went through the handler to get the kids.
I think colleges are still doing that, but theyre vetting the player more.
So-called handlers are going to sell the car no matter what shape its in, but if they want the real truth, theyre going to the high school coaches.
Im also getting calls about transfers Hey, this kid played for you four years ago.
Can you tell me about him? Coach 5: For me, its still the same.
Advertisement Coach 6: We get a lot of coaches still.
GMs will usually call, but coaches will still come out and check things out.
Coach 7: Its probably even more now.
But I do think its my fiduciary responsibility to know both sides of it.
I need to educate my players and their families.
Coach 10: No.
I think when things are real, and schools are really recruiting somebody, they still reach out to the coaches.
Which assistant coaches have been the most impressive in recruiting? Coach 1: The staff that always does a great job is Boise State.
They ignore the stars and they ignore the rankings and they go after the guys who fit within the culture of their program.
Coach 2: (Receivers coach) Colin Lockett is one thats at UCLA.
I think (inside receivers coach) Chad Savage does a really good job at USC.
I still think Tosh Lupoi, even though hes a head coach, hes still a dynamic recruiter.
Thats why Cal is starting to become more of a player in this game as well.
Coach 3: (Receivers coach) Dennis Simmons at USC.
If he wants a kid, hes getting him.
Coach 4: (Texas offensive line coach) Kyle Flood was outstanding when he was here.
(Michigan tight ends coach) Freddie Whittingham and I have always had a great relationship.
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(Special teams coordinator) Sean Saturnio from Army.
I love it when hes down here.
Coach 5: (Georgia defensive backs coach) Donte Williams is always one that sticks out.
Wherever he is, he always finds a way to get the best players.
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(Receivers coach) Del Alexander at UNLV.
Hes a guy thats been in the game for a very long time.
Really, really develops relationships first, and then youve got the youngbloods like (receivers coach) James Finley at Oregon State, who really develops relationships with these players and is a hell of a coach himself, and Chad Savage.
Chad is a beast.
Coach 6: Shannon Dawson, the OC at Miami.
Advertisement Coach 7: Im always impressed with how Ohio State moves and operates when they come in, but I wouldnt say any one assistant is above the other.
Coach 8: I think the Ohio State and Oregon and BYU coaches are really professional.
Coach 9: Chad Savage from SC.
Love Chad.
Ive known him for many years.
Everywhere hes gone, hes brought talent.
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Hes relentless.
(Cornerbacks coach Trovon) Reed at SC, hes done a huge job for them, too.
(Arizona defensive line coach) Joe Salavea is one of the real OGs in the game and hes a really good recruiter.
My boy over at Oklahoma, (director of player personnel) Stacey Ford.
Hes relentless.
All of Oregons coaches are real impressive How strong do you think the 2027 class is in the region? Coach 1: I think its OK.
I think the 2028 class has more talent overall.
Coach 2: I dont think its tremendously strong.
I think some of the reclassification kids make the 2027 class better, but I think the 2028, 2029 classes are loaded, though.
Coach 3: I dont think its as strong.
Theres not an elite quarterback around.
Its kind of lineman-driven.
Its different.
I wouldnt say its not very good; its just a different type of class.
Coach 5: I think its probably one of the better classes the past couple of years at certain positions, but the totality of the class, its kind of waiting to be seen.
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It could be one of the best if everyone pans out.
Coach 6: I think its a strong class.
Coach 8: In a word, its ridiculous.
The sheer number of guys who can play high-level football really stands out.
Coach 9: I think its pretty strong.
Its not to the level of last year, where it felt like there were superstars all over the board.
It was ridiculous, but the talent level here is still really high, top to bottom.
Do schools recruit differently since the portal has become a factor? Coach 1: If youre a smaller school, you may want to meet that kid who is not in reach for you because you never know when a kid may fall to you.
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You never know when a kid is going to leave a USC and go to UC Davis or Colorado State.
Advertisement Coach 2: I havent noticed that much of a difference.
The only thing is that the borderline kid is the one thats really been affected.
Where in the past, if he was a borderline kid they would offer.
But now theyre more hesitant because they dont need to offer that guy.
Coach 3: A thousand percent.
Less guys are getting scholarships now.
Thats just the truth.
When you have offers on the table, you dont have very long either unless youre a top guy.
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If youve got something, youve got to jump on it.
Coach 4: I heard one recruiter tell me, We have offers out to high school kids; if they dont commit by June we go to the portal.
So I think thats something colleges are going toward unless hes a crazy national recruit.
Coach 6: I think its a little different for linemen.
A lineman who might have been a grayshirt-type kid gets looked over a lot right now.
That kid ends up somewhere else, like a smaller school or a JC.
Coach 7: Absolutely.
Theyre not as thirsty.
If we dont get that kid, OK, were gonna go to the portal.
It used to be like 23 of 25 kids in the recruiting class were gonna be high school kids.
Now, it might only be 10 or 12.
You can be all-world, but if youre only 18 or 19, how are you competing with that 22- or 23-year-old man? Thats tough.
Coach 8: I dont think schools really project anymore.
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The bigger schools, though, are specifically not projecting that because they can go to the portal and wait till he does or doesnt develop.
Coach 9: 1,000 percent.
Some of them still are sticking to their guns, where they want to recruit the high school guys first before they tap into the portal.
The portal game has not only changed the game at the high school level, but the junior college level is really feeling the impact, too.
Coach 10: Its limiting numbers.
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I really feel for the walk-ons who have less opportunity.
Everything is so different now than it used to be.
Its like youve gotta come in as old as you can (reclassify) and leave as early as you can, graduate in January.
Im not saying these are bad people doing it, but this is the advantage and the sacrifices theyre making.