Four-star offensive tackle prospect Vlad Dyakonov’s initial impression of the USC Trojans proved accurate as the talented lineman from Folsom officially announced his commitment to the football team on Wednesday, just days after his most recent visit to the university’s campus.
The 6-foot-7, 275-pound recruit has made multiple trips to USC throughout the offseason, navigating a busy travel schedule that included visits to several top contenders in his recruitment across the country. A recent swing through the Midwest allowed him to explore opportunities at Michigan State, Michigan, and Ohio State, in addition to an earlier visit to Ole Miss, which had emerged as a significant player in his recruitment.
USC Trojans Add Vlad Dyakonov To Stellar 2026 Recruiting Class
However, his visit to USC this past Saturday ultimately solidified Dyakonov’s decision to become the 22nd commitment in the 2026 recruiting class for Lincoln Riley’s program.
Dyakonov’s commitment marks the 14th four-star pledge for the Trojans and the 14th in-state prospect to join the cycle. The school’s recruiting efforts have gained significant momentum in recent months, reflecting the strategic changes implemented by Riley within his recruiting and personnel staff, notably the addition of general manager Chad Bowden.
Since Bowden’s arrival in late January, the Trojans have secured 14 commitments, with an impressive 11 of those coming in the last month alone, including five in the first week of April. Among these recent additions are four-star running back Deshonne Redeaux and four-star defensive tackle Tomuhini Topui, who decommitted from Oregon in favor of the Trojans.
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Dyakonov is the fourth offensive line commitment secured by coach Zach Hanson in this recruiting cycle, and his connection with the new offensive line coach played a crucial role in the Trojans’ appeal to the four-star prospect. The potential for his development under Hanson’s guidance at the collegiate level was also a significant factor in his decision.
“Love Coach Hanson’s teachings and I love how he’s going to run things,” Dyakonov previously told TrojanSports.com. “… The development of the O-line [is a big thing]. They get guys to the league.”
SC had prioritized Dyakonov’s recruitment for an extended period, with Hanson conducting an in-home visit in January before Dyakonov’s junior day trip to Los Angeles. While UCLA had also been a strong contender, Dyakonov ultimately chose to play for SC, further solidifying what remains the top-ranked recruiting class in the 2026 cycle.