University of Southern California Secures Country's Leading Recruitment Class Yet Again
Trojan Takeover: The USC Trojans have truly turned things around, going from a struggling team on the field to a force to be reckoned with off it. No more lagging behind those big-name programs in the Big Ten and SEC in recruiting. With a revamped athletic department, a focus on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and a top-notch general manager in Chad Bowden, USC is dominating on the recruitment front.
For years, USC has been playing catch-up with the big boys, while teams like Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan were already ramping up their NIL efforts and dedicating resources to recruiting directors. But now, the Trojans are making their mark. The lack of high-end talent? A thing of the past.
This week, offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe announced his commitment to USC. Currently sitting 44th overall per On3, and significantly higher on other ranking sites, Keenyi is the sixth offensive lineman to commit to USC this cycle. The Trojans are still in the mix for two other big o-line targets.
As of May 1, USC sits atop the On3 Football Recruiting Rankings, with a impressive turnaround from their 15th place finish in the same ranking system just two seasons ago, and 18th in the 2024 class. They currently have 25 commits for the 2026 class, compared to second place LSU's 10.
Of course, there's still a long way to go before signing day, but head coach Lincoln Riley is getting ever closer to having the talent to compete with Ohio State, Texas, and Alabama. And while talent alone won't automatically turn things around for USC, it sure as hell helps.
As Ohio State showed last year, and Texas' expensive roster should demonstrate this year, it takes more than just a good team to go all the way. But if USC's current streak continues, we might soon be seeing the Trojans back among the top teams in the country.
Rising to the Top: With 25+ commitments, including two five-stars, USC's 2025 recruiting class currently positions them as a national contender. The Trojans' impressive turnaround under Lincoln Riley is also evident in their ability to secure elite national prospects like five-star OT Keenyi Pepe (No. 9 overall) and five-star ATH Xavier Griffin.
When compared to Big Ten and SEC schools, USC's class currently outpaces most Big Ten programs in both quantity and star power, with 10 commits in the Rivals250. Though SEC schools like Georgia and Alabama continue to dominate individual elite recruit battles, USC's success in landing Southern prospects like Griffin from Georgia and Pepe from Florida signals encroachment into traditional SEC territories.
USC's aggressive recruiting is indicative of alignment of NIL resources with high-priority targets, such as securing competitive NIL offerings compared to their SEC and Big Ten peers. Recent staff hires, such as defensive line coach Eric Henderson, are also cited in recruiting pitches to emphasize NFL development pathways.
Though there's still work to be done, particularly in closing on remaining five-star targets like QB Ryder Lyons, USC's trajectory indicates a resurgent recruiting powerhouse, ready to take on the big boys in the race for top-tier talent. things can change between now and signing day, but it's looking good for USC.
- USC's 2025 recruiting class, with over 25 commitments and two five-stars, positions them as a national contender.
- The Trojans' impressive turnaround under coach Lincoln Riley is evident in their ability to secure elite national prospects like five-star OT Keenyi Pepe and five-star ATH Xavier Griffin.
- USC's aggressive recruiting, indicative of alignment of NIL resources with high-priority targets, outpaces many Big Ten programs in both quantity and star power.
- With encroachment into traditional SEC territories, USC is looking towards a resurgent recruiting powerhouse, ready to challenge the big boys in the race for top-tier talent.
