Elite Recruit Kayden Dixon-Wyatt Commits To Ohio State Over USC Trojans, Oregon

The USC Trojans were unable to add four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt to an already elite recruiting class. Dixon-Wyatt live streamed his college commitment decision on May 4 on YouTube. The elite wideout is also chose the Ohio State Buckeyes over the Oregon Ducks, Texas Longhorns, and Alabama Crimson Tide.

According to On3's Industry Ranking, Dixon-Wyatt is the No. 12 receiver in the 2026 recruiting class, the No. 13 player in California, and the No. 86 overall recruit. Dixon-Wyatt attends Mater Dei High School, a program that used to be a feeder school for USC and top prospects. However, the Trojans only have one Mater Dei commit in 2026, four-star defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui.

Still, USC coach Lincoln Riley and his staff have a ton of momentum on the recruiting trail, landing four commitments over the past four days. The Trojans already have the No.1-ranked recruiting class in 2026, according to both On3 and 247Sports.

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley greets quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

🚨BREAKING🚨 4-star WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has committed to Ohio State🌰

He ranks No. 86 NATL. (No. 12 WR) in the 2026 class.

More from @ChadSimmons_: https://t.co/0ZW13QPvoP pic.twitter.com/9gK8CtlsNi
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 4, 2025

Part of USC's success in recruiting has been because of the large number of commits they are planning to bring in. With 27 commitments in May, room is already getting thin for the high school prospects looking to join the Trojans. Riley and company also have five wide receivers committed.

Ohio State is always a threat with wide receivers coach Brian Hartline considered one of the best position coaches in the business. Oregon is also looking for wide receivers in the 2026 recruiting class, giving the Ducks a much bigger need at the position than USC.

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247Sports' Tom Loy believed that the top contenders to land Dixon-Wyatt are Oregon and Ohio State, not USC. The Trojans received a commitment from four-star wide receiver Luc Weaver on Saturday, perhaps signaling that Dixon-Wyatt would plan to commit elsewhere.

“I think when Kayden Dixon-Wyatt makes his decision, it will be Oregon or Ohio State. USC is going to battle over the next couple days. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt knows where he wants to go. He’s got his mind made up, but I do think it’s a lot of back and forth. I’m going to give a slight edge to Oregon right now, but really close with Ohio State," Loy said.

When Dixon-Wyatt revealed he would be committing on May 4, he spoke to On3 about each of his finalists. When asked about the Trojans, the wide receiver cited USC's offense and freshman quarterback Husan Longstreet as a few of the many appealing factors.

Centennial Huskies Quarterback Husan Longstreet (4) catches the ball at Liberty High School on Sept. 21, 2024, in Peoria. | Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"They can for sure be a contender in my recruitment. I know their quarterback, Husan Longstreet. They run a really good offense. They’re pretty good," Dixon-Wyatt told On3 about USC.

In comparison, Dixon-Wyatt revealed his thoughts about Oregon coach Dan Lanning as well as having Mater Dei teammates playing for the Ducks.

"I’ve built a great relationship with the head coach Dan Lanning… I have former high school teammates on the team. It’s not that far away. It feels like home every single time I go over there," Dixon-Wyatt told On3.