USC Trojans Hosting Blue-Chip Recruits: Elbert Hill, Kodi Greene, Jett Washington

The USC Trojans wrapped up their first week of spring practice.

They have had an impressive list of blue-chip recruits visit practice this week, including Mount Miguel (Calif.) five-star cornerback Brandon Arrington, Folsom (Calif.) five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, Orange Lutheran (Calif.) four-star offensive lineman Samuel Utu, Mater Dei (Calif.) four-star linebacker Shaun Scott and four-star defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui.

The Trojans hosted another star-studded list of recruits for their first day in pads on Saturday. Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) five-star cornerback Elbert Hill made his return trip to Los Angeles. Hill first visited campus with his family in late January and was blown away by experience with USC coach Lincoln Riley and his staff. The Trojans have found themselves in the mix for the five-star defensive back, who will also take an official visit in June. Hill's teammate, 2027 four-star athlete Brayton Feister made the trip to USC as well.

Elbert Hill — Archbishop Hoban's Elbert 'Roc' Hill IV runs with the ball in the first half of a football game against Central York at Panthers Stadium on Oct. 18, 2024, in Springettsbury Township. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

USC had a couple more top defensive backs attend practice, including Bishop Gorman (Nev.) four-star safety Jett Williams and 2027 Serra (Calif.) five-star cornerback Duvay Williams.

Mater Dei (Calif.) four-star offensive tackle Kodi Greene has been committed to Oregon since last August but the Trojans have been pushing to flip the local prospect. Greene will return for an official visit in June. Restoring their Mater Dei pipeline is a point of emphasis for USC in the 2026 cycle.

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“I’m excited that this 26 class can put them back to compete for a National Championship and it would be amazing to be a part of that,” Greene told On3. “There’s been quite a bit of excitement amongst my teammates of how aggressive USC is recruiting California and how much of a priority Mater Dei is again.”

Morgan Park (Ill.) four-star Nasir Rankin was on campus and Temple (Texas) four-star edge Jamarion Carlton made his first trip to USC. The Texas product arrived in Los Angeles Friday morning. IMG Academy (Fla.) four-star defensive lineman Preston Carey also made the trip out west.

The Trojans had a few recent alumni at practice on Saturday in 2022 Heisman trophy winner and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock and Detroit Lions All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who brought his teammate, running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London was at practice on Thursday.

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

USC has been hot on the recruiting trail since the turn of the calendar year. The addition of general manager Chad Bowden has changed the energy around the program and high school recruits have taken notice. The Trojans hold 16 commitments in their No. 1 ranked recruiting class.

"History always likes to repeat itself and that's a big reason why I came to USC," Bowden told On3. "I understand the success sustained under Pete Carroll's tenure. I know that's what we're going to be able to do here with Coach Riley at the helm.

"I look at what's been done in the past to help prepare for the future. I look at those teams and what they were able to acquire, where they were from, state, region. I look at every single detail that's been before us and that's going to help us build a team to get back to those days. We need to do that," continued Bowden.