USC Trojans Secure Nation's No.1 2026 Recruiting Class With 27 Commitments

The USC Trojans, led by coach Lincoln Riley, have secured the No. 1 ranked recruiting class for 2026 with 27 commitments, including three of the top 10 recruits in May—tight end Mark Bowman, cornerback Elbert Hill, and offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe. This recruiting success puts USC ahead of traditional powerhouses like Georgia, Notre Dame, LSU, Ohio State, and Alabama, with Riley and his staff excelling particularly in the NIL era, reportedly offering Bowman potential earnings of $8-10 million. USC's recruiting prowess is further supported by an elite coaching staff, with four assistant coaches ranked among the top 10 recruiters nationally, enhancing their appeal to top prospects. On the field, Riley emphasizes a strong offensive unit for the upcoming season, with a deep receiving corps led by returning weapons Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, alongside new transfers, to support quarterback Jayden Maiava. Despite recent struggles, the Trojans’ recruiting momentum and offensive depth aim to revitalize the program and meet high expectations for on-field success. Riley faces pressure to translate this recruiting dominance into wins, as another losing season could place him on the hot seat.