USC Trojans Building Upon Pivotal Recruiting Strategy

Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are targeting elite prospects in Southern California to rebuild the program.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:07am

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The USC Trojans have made recruiting top talent from Southern California a priority under head coach Lincoln Riley. After landing an impressive 2026 class with several blue-chip prospects from local powerhouse programs like Mater Dei and Santa Margarita, USC is continuing to build momentum on the recruiting trail in the 2027 cycle.

Why it matters

Rebuilding USC into a perennial contender requires the Trojans to consistently land top talent from their own backyard. Keeping elite Southern California prospects home is crucial for the program's long-term success, especially with increased competition from other West Coast schools.

The details

USC has already secured commitments from several highly-ranked 2027 recruits, including four-star cornerback Aaryn Washington, four-star receiver Eli Woodard, and three-star defensive lineman Isaia Vandermade. The Trojans are also heavily pursuing top-ranked safety Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, four-star cornerback Danny Lang, and several other blue-chip prospects from local high school powerhouses.

  • In early January, USC landed a commitment from four-star cornerback Aaryn Washington.
  • In February, four-star receiver Eli Woodard committed to the Trojans.
  • Three-star defensive lineman Isaia Vandermade committed to USC in 2026 after starring at Santa Margarita High School.
  • Five-star safety Honor Fa'alave-Johnson is set to announce his commitment on March 14.

The players

Lincoln Riley

The head coach of the USC Trojans, tasked with rebuilding the program and keeping top talent in Southern California.

Aaryn Washington

A four-star cornerback who committed to USC in January after transferring to IMG Academy from Mater Dei High School in California.

Eli Woodard

A four-star receiver who committed to the Trojans in February and has seen his recruiting stock rise rapidly this spring.

Isaia Vandermade

A three-star defensive lineman who committed to USC in 2026 after starring at Santa Margarita High School, a Trinity League powerhouse.

Honor Fa'alave-Johnson

A five-star safety and the top-ranked player in California for the 2027 class, who is set to announce his commitment on March 14.

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What they’re saying

“I'm glad USC is coming back to recruit California more because we need to start running the nation again.”

— Charles Davis, four-star tight end (si.com)

What’s next

Five-star safety Honor Fa'alave-Johnson is set to announce his commitment on Saturday, March 14. USC is considered the favorite to land the top-ranked player in California for the 2027 class.

The takeaway

By prioritizing elite prospects from Southern California, Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans are rebuilding the program's recruiting pipeline in their own backyard. Keeping the best talent in the region home is crucial for the Trojans to return to national prominence as perennial contenders.