No. 25 USC (3-0) has Rivals No. 1 ranked recruiting class at this point in the 2026 cycle, and on Saturday night head coach Lincoln Riley and his staff will welcome back many of those pledges for a Big Ten showdown with Michigan State (3-0).
The nation’s No. 1 tight end Mark Bowman and No. 4 cornerback Elbert Hill are the headliners in the class returning to The Coliseum.
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Heading into the season the plan was always that USC would add a senior riser or two and they’re bringing in an exciting prospect this weekend in Cincinnati (Ohio) Deer Park edge rusher Sefa Sackey.
Coach Eric Henderson, Weston Zernechel and the Trojans offered the 6-foot-7, 205-pound Sackey last week. As it stands right now they’ll battle Northwestern, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest to sign him.
Austin (Texas) LBJ linebacker and former Old Dominion commit Antione Baker also picked up an offer from USC in the last week.
“I am most excited to see the people and the culture around the team,” Baker said.
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Baker is a standout in all three facets that in the first two games this season has 12 tackles, three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He also has nine catches for 95 yards and four touchdowns with a punt return for a score. Baker registered 73 tackles as junior with 11 in the backfield and three interceptions.
“I have never been to Cali so it’s going to make a fun experience for sure,” Baker said, adding “the history of the school” makes the opportunity stand out.
USC is using the fall to bring in top 2027 targets to continue building the relationship that will put them in position to land them this next spring and summer.
The nation’s No. 3 linebacker Toa Satele is expected up from Hawaii. The Trojans offered in March.
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Rivals300 safety Khalil Terry is a headliner this weekend. The Tustin (Calif.) High standout had an “awesome” experience in the spring.
“I think the program is definitely going in the right direction. I know defensively, Coach Lynn and Coach Belk were very detailed in their meeting with the DBs. I really liked the campus and they’re doing g a lot to build up the football facilities too.”
Tustin HIgh teammate and four-star Texas edge commit Taven Epps wlll also be in town.
La Verne (Calif.) Damien four-star safety Gavin Williams is expected back for a second-straight home game.
“What excites me most about the opportunity to play for the Trojans is the combination of high-level football, player development, and the tradition of the program. I can see myself growing there both on and off the field, and I really like the vision the staff has for me in their defense.”
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Oceanside (Calif.) High Rivals300 offensive lineman Lincoln Mageo is another exciting prospect coming to campus.
Cincinnati (Ohio) Anderson Rivals 300 cornerback Ace Alston loved his summer experience at USC.
“Being in LA was a vibe,” Alston said. “The coaches are really relatable and I can tell they really want me to be part of their program. Coach Reed is in year two but he’s already developed two potential draft picks that were invited to the Senior Bowl. Plus he’s an NFL vet. I had a great conversation with Coach Belk too. It just felt like I knew them for a long time already.”
Another four-star Ohio product coming includes Columbus (Ohio) Academy edge rusher Reinaldo Perez. Two more Rivals300 edge rushers in Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson KJ Green and Denton (Texas) Guyer’s Zane Rowe.
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“It will be my first time going there,” Rowe said. “Been talking to the coaches on the phone, FaceTime can’t wait to meet them all I person. Most excited about seeing the stadium, facilities, atmosphere, and overall vibe.”
Other talented 2027s include Rivals 300 safety Isala Wily-Ava, Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral receiver Eli Woodard and Hesperia (Calif.) Oak Hills defensive lineman Sione Felila.
