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USC Trojans' In-State Recruiting Machine Keeps Gaining Speed Official visits have come and gone.
Recruits have been making their decision as college football teams are putting a bow on their recruiting classes for the 202 Sep 30, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.
Mandatory Credit: Chet Strange-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect Official visits have come and gone.
Recruits have been making their decision as college football teams are putting a bow on their recruiting classes for the 2027 cycle.
Sep 30, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.Mandatory Credit: Chet Strange-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect USC holds a commitment from five of the top 10 and six of the top 13 overall prospects in the state of California, according to 247Sports.
No other school has more than one commitment in that span.
Its impossible for the Trojans to grab every top prospect in the state.
For starters, theres more than a couple of Power Four players in their backyard.Other programs can still recruit at a high level, and the rankings may not always reflect where they stand on USCs recruiting board.
It started in the secondary with the 2027 class.
USC made it clear early that it had four local recruits that were on top of its board.
Four-star cornerback Aaryn Washington became the first commit in the class when he announced his pledge at the Navy All-American Bowl in January.The Southern California native and former Mater Dei standout transferred to IMG Academy that month for his senior year.at Mater Dei, Danny Lang, and San Diego Cathedral Catholic five-star athlete Honor Faalave-Johnson in the spring and landed a commitment from both in March.Damien four-star safety Gavin Williams was the final piece, and after battling Notre Dame and UCLA, USC landed a commitment from the local star in May.
Offensively, Corona Centennial four-star receiver Quentin Hale dreamed of wearing the Cardinal and Gold.But the Trojans were still all-in on the talented pass-catcher and landed a commitment in February.
Servite four-star offensive tackle Drew Fielder was committed to Oregon when he picked up an offer from USC in late February.
Fielder visited three times in the spring and quickly got acclimated to the program.Not to mention his grandfather and great-uncle won a national championship with the Trojans, and his father is also an alum.
Fielder flipped his commitment in March.
Faalave-Johnson, Lang and Hale are top 50 overall prospects.
While Washington, Williams and Fielder are top 100 overall prospects.Oaks Christian four-star defensive lineman Alifeleti "Tolo" Tuihalamaka has been a fast riser this spring and sits inside the top 150 overall prospects.
Mater Dei 2028 four-star safety Ace Leutele | USC Trojans on SI USC has its eyes set on stacking California recruits in the 2028 class.They have targeted a pair of local running backs in Corona Centennial three-star Malaki Davis and Santa Margarita three-star Jaion Smith.
Tustin four-star receiver Hayden Koo has seen his recruitment skyrocket the past several months andThree local offensive linemen sit atop their board in Cajon five-star offensive tackle Austin Attalah, JSerra Catholic four-star offensive tackle Lincoln Faalafi and St.
John Bosco four-star IOL Elisha Mueller.in the 2028 class, and the Trojans intend to take advantage.
At cornerback, it's Mission Viejo four-star cornerback Jordan Hicks, Santa Margarita four-star Caron Prime Williams and Gardena Serra four-star Derrick Coleman.
At safety, its Orange Lutheran four-star Chauncey Washington II, Palos Verdes four-star Jalen Flowers and Mater Dei four-star Ace Leutele.
Kendell Hollowell, a Southern California native has been been covering collegiate athletics since 2020 via radio and digital journalism.
His experience includes covering programs such as the USC Trojans, Vanderbilt Commodores and Alabama Crimson Tide.
Kendell He also works in TV production for the NFL Network.Prior to working in sports journalism, Kendell was a collegiate athlete on the University of Wyoming and Adams State football team.
He is committed to bringing in-depth insight and analysis for USC athletics.