People Are Saying USC Is Back. Here’s Their Recruiting Class – You Decide What You Think

(Credit: usctrojans.com)

As the National Early Signing Period approaches in the first week of December, high school recruits are eager to finalize their commitments, and June is shaping up to be a pivotal month in the recruiting landscape. This month marks the kickoff for official visits, a crucial period where programs can showcase their campus and culture to prospective players.

The USC Trojans are gearing up to host recruits, starting next weekend on June 6, and it’s a prime opportunity to examine their 2026 class, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback

The Trojans have made a significant move by securing four-star quarterback Jonas Williams from Lincoln-Way East in Illinois, who made the jump from Oregon to USC back in February. His connection with general manager Chad Bowden—dating from Bowden’s time at Notre Dame—helped solidify this transition. USC’s head coach Lincoln Riley and quarterbacks coach Luke Huard aggressively pursued Williams, and he’s set to return to Southern California next month for the Elite 11 Finals in Manhattan Beach, a mere 20 miles from campus.

But Riley isn’t stopping there; he’s still eyeing Folsom’s five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons. While USC has been seen as the frontrunner, Lyons has gained interest from other programs like BYU and Oregon since Williams’ commitment. Notably, Lyons has made several visits to USC, partly due to his older brother, Walker, being a tight end on the team. It’s important to note that Lyons plans to take an LDS mission post-high school, which positions him as more of a 2027 prospect. This situation allows USC the flexibility to bring in two quarterbacks for the 2026 cycle, and Lyons is expected for his official visit on June 6.

Running Back

At running back, the Trojans are looking strong with commitments from four-stars Deshonne Redeaux of Oaks Christian in California and Shahn Alston from Harvey, Ohio. Both recruits rank among the top 10 running backs in the 2026 class, and they’ve made their intentions clear. Alston pledged to USC during the Navy All-American Game in January, while Redeaux followed with a commitment video featuring rapper Snoop Dogg and USC All-American guard and Naismith Player of the Year JuJu Watkins. Both running backs will be on campus together for their official visit on June 6, and they are the only ones expected to visit this summer.

Wide Receiver

The Trojans aren’t stopping at running backs; they have already secured commitments from four wide receivers: Trent Mosley from Santa Margarita, Luc Weaver from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Roderick Tezeno from Opelousas, Louisiana, and Ja’Myron Baker from Sierra Canyon. However, USC is aiming higher and seeking more top-tier pass-catchers to round out their class.

Mosley’s momentum started building after attending Junior Day in February, and with the backing of his coach, former Heisman winner Carson Palmer, he chose USC in March over offers from schools like Notre Dame and Stanford. Weaver committed shortly after receiving an offer from his hometown school, while Tezeno and Baker both made their pledges within a month of their offers. Baker holds the distinction of being the first commitment in the 2026 class.

Additionally, the Trojans are making a push for other blue-chip prospects. Madden Williams, a four-star from St. John Bosco and currently committed to Texas A&M, recently received an offer from USC and is expected to visit on June 13. Then there’s Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, a four-star receiver from DeSoto, Texas, who reclassified to 2026 and is being pursued heavily by USC, among other top programs. Feaster will be visiting campus on June 6 as well. The Trojans are also tracking four-star Jalen Lott, whose sister is part of the track team at USC, with his official visit scheduled for the same day.

Tight End

In a highlight for the Trojans, five-star tight end Mark Bowman from Mater Dei became a key commitment recently, ranked as the top tight end nationally. After reclassifying from 2027 to 2026, Bowman garners attention from several schools, including Georgia and Texas. However, USC’s thorough recruitment strategy, spearheaded by tight ends coach Chad Savage, played a decisive role in securing his commitment, with his official visit scheduled for June 17.

Additionally, USC has shown interest in three-star tight end Keawe Brown, who has risen quickly this spring after receiving an offer last month and has an official visit dated for June 13. With Bowman’s commitment solidified, it remains to be seen how hard USC will continue to pursue Brown moving forward.

Offensive Line

Similar to their standing at running back, USC seems nearly complete in their offensive line recruitment with six commitments, including five-star Keenyi Pepe from IMG Academy in Florida and a mix of other top prospects from California and Colorado. Recently, however, the Trojans have slowed their pursuit of several offensive linemen. The lone uncommitted prospect slated for an official visit this summer is three-star IOL Jalayne Miller from Desert Edge in Arizona, who is set to be on campus on June 20.

As June unfolds, the Trojans are poised to capitalize on their recruitment efforts, balancing strong commitments against ongoing pursuits. With a mix of established relationships and strategic visits, they are clearly intent on building a powerful class for 2026.