Valor Christian three-star offensive lineman Kannon Smith has announced his commitment to the USC Trojans, following a recent visit to the university, as reported by On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Smith becomes part of a USC recruiting class that is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. USC has been proactive in this recruiting cycle, securing 23 commitments, including two five-star prospects—linebacker Xavier Griffin and RJ Sermons—along with four other top-100 prospects and a total of 12 blue-chip recruits.
Smith’s decision to join Lincoln Riley’s program came after considering offers from several other prominent schools, including Michigan, Penn State, UCLA, and Colorado State. While he had previously scheduled an official visit for the summer, his experiences during visits in February and again this past weekend solidified his choice.
Kannon Smith on USC Trojans Visit
“The environment on campus is great,” Smith told On3’s Steve Wiltfong in February. “There is an expectation there and the coaches are looking to win. What makes me excited to play there would be the new facilities I could utilize to make myself the best player I could. … USC stands out because of the legacy there. A blue-blood program willing to go to work.”
Smith, who stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 290 pounds, is ranked as the No. 549 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a composite that aggregates ratings from the four major recruiting media companies. He is also recognized as the No. 47 interior offensive lineman nationally and the No. 5 recruit in the state of Colorado.