USC is making some serious moves in the recruiting world. After a couple of years hanging around the No. 15 spot or lower in the rankings, the Trojans are back with a bang. They’re putting together what might just be the best class of the Lincoln Riley era.
Right now, they’ve got nine commitments for the 2026 class, and they’re sitting pretty at No. 2 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. That’s a big deal!
One of the standout stars? Brandon Lockhart, a four-star cornerback from Los Angeles. This guy’s been on board since October 2023, and he’s been one of USC’s top three commits ever since. Talk about loyalty.
And he’s not alone. Joining him are fellow LA talents Ja’Myron Baker and Madden Riordan, both committed in 2023.
But let’s not forget about Xavier Griffin from Gainesville, Georgia. This four-star linebacker is almost a five-star prospect and is leading the charge for USC. He committed back in July and had nothing but good things to say about the team.
“I felt that I’m the biggest priority at USC,” Griffin told On3. “The defensive scheme that they are building is world-class.”
Then there’s RJ Sermons from Rancho Cucamonga, California, who joined the crew on December 13. He’s ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect for 2026.
“I feel like USC is the best place for me, my family, and my future,” Sermons shared. “I like the authenticity from everybody on the staff and everybody in the building.”
Here’s a fun fact: Two-thirds of the Trojans’ class comes from California, and a whopping 56% of their current commits are blue-chip prospects. That’s some serious talent right there.
Commitments by Position
- Running Back: Four-star Shahn Alston, No. 142 NATL. (No. 14 RB)
- Wide Receiver: Three-star Ja’Myron Baker, No. 406 NATL. (No. 59 WR)
- Defensive Line: Four-star Braeden Jones, No. 206 NATL. (No. 20 DL)
- EDGE: Andrew Williams (Not ranked)
- Linebacker: Four-star Xavier Griffin, No. 25 NATL. (No. 2 LB)
- Cornerback: Four-star RJ Sermons, No. 30 NATL. (No. 2 CB); Four-star Brandon Lockhart, No. 66 NATL. (No. 5 CB)
- Athlete: Three-star Joshua Holland, No. 396 NATL. (No. 32 ATH); Three-star Madden Riordan, No. 444 NATL. (No. 35 ATH)
With these impressive commitments, USC is setting itself up for an exciting future. Could this be the start of a new era for the Trojans? Only time will tell!
