The USC Trojans 2026 Recruiting Class is off to a fantastic start. They currently rank 1st in both Rivals and 247 Sports rankings and 2nd in On3. They show no signs of slowing down as they aim to lock down the top class and hang onto it all the way till signing day.
One notable difference in this year’s class is how strongly they have recruited their home state of California. Of the 11 commitments in the class so far, 7 of them, or 64%, are from the Golden State. What is even more promising is that they are trending towards more in-state commitments and are even in multiple potential flip scenarios.
California is a hotbed for talent, so there will always be immense competition from schools around the country trying to poach players, but if USC can get back to locking down 70% of the state (in terms of each class), then they will be competitive every single season.
For the 2026 class in particular, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans have the opportunity to do something generational.
As it currently stands, two of the Top 10 California recruits are committed to USC. But that number can jump up significantly.
The USC Trojans Can Have A Generational 2026 Class
Here are the Top 10 California prospects and where they are currently committed, according to On3.
- WR – Chris Henry Jr. – Ohio State
- QB – Ryder Lyons – Uncommitted (will reclassify to 2027 class)
- CB – Brandon Arrington – Uncommitted
- OT – Kodi Greene – Oregon
- TE – Mark Bowman – Uncommitted
- CB – RJ Sermons – USC
- CB – Davon Benjamin – Uncommitted
- CB – Brandon Lockhart – USC
- Vance Spafford – Georgia
- QB – Brady Smigiel – Uncommitted
CB’s RJ Sermons and Brandon Lockhart are the two currently committed to USC, but multiple players are trending in the Trojans’ favor.
Chris Henry Jr. is committed to Ohio State at the moment, but was a surprise visitor at USC’s Junior Day and has an official visit scheduled with the Trojans on June 6. They will continue to push hard for him and see if they can complete the flip.
WATCH: USC Trojans Recruiting Is On Fire!
Ryder Lyons will ultimately end up in the 2027 class after taking his LDS mission, but USC is the heavy favorite right now in his recruiting.
Brandon Arrington is another prized recruit in this class. He has been favored to commit to Texas A&M for most of the process, but USC has been surging late and a photo was just recently posted with Arrington and the Trojan legend Adoree Jackson. He has an official visit scheduled with USC on June 17th.
TE Mark Bowman just picked up a new RPM that put the Trojans in the lead over Oregon. The USC Trojans have been the leader in Davon Benjamin’s recruiting for the entire process, so they will hope to close the Oaks Christian prospect. And Vance Spafford is committed to Georgia, but the Trojans have a viable shot to flip him, especially after the recent flip of QB Jonas Williams.
While none of this is set in stone, and there is a ton of time between now and December signing day, the USC Trojans have a legit shot at signing EIGHT of the 10 best prospects in California.
That would go down as potentially one of the best recruiting classes ever, not just for the USC Trojans. The stuff of legends.
This new staff certainly has the ability to get the job done. Will they?