USC Trojans Hosting Elite California Recruit for San José State Game

The USC Trojans have built an impressive list of visitors for the regular season opener against the San José State Spartans, but one in particular stands out.

Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches from the sidelines against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Anticipation builds for the 2026 USC Trojans football season. Their No. 14 ranking is fueling intrigue for a potential Big Ten title run and College Football Playoff appearance.

Coach Lincoln Riley and his staff will expect a good-sized crowd inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, including recruits, but one incoming visitor for the San José State contest will excite USC fans.

Highly ranked Recruit Visiting USC Trojans vs. San José State

USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, center, runs on to the field for the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Four-star safety for the 2028 class Jalen Flowers is a confirmed visitor for Saturday's opener, per multiple recruiting outlets on Aug. 24.

He's more than a prized local recruiting target out of Palos Verdes Peninsula. Flowers ranks as the fourth-best overall California talent per Rivals, and checks in as the state's No. 3 overall California talent per 247Sports composite rankings.

But recruiting insider for On3/Rivals Steve Wiltfong delivered this telling nugget involving the 6-2 defender. Saturday doesn't look like his last time visiting USC.

"The Rivals300’s No. 6 safetyis another defensive back USC is very bullish on and it feels like the Trojans could also be leading the pack for the Palos Verdes (Calif.) High standout as well. In addition to the opener, Flowers will visit on Halloween for the showdown with Ohio State as well," Wiltfong said.

That means Flowers will see how the Trojans operate on defense for the first time under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson on Aug. 29. Then later see how USC fares against the explosive quarterback/wide receiver duo of Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, respectively, in that highly-anticipated Big Ten showdown with the Buckeyes on Oct. 31.

Jalen Flowers Presents Uncanny Athleticism USC Wants

USC Trojans defensive coordinator Gary Patterson | USC Trojans on SI

Flowers looks like he's got few peers on the field when he's under the Friday night lights.

He shows tremendous advanced range for a younger defender, including snatching a one-handed interception as a sophomore on varsity last season. Flowers knows when to turn his hips and locate the football, sometimes getting there before the opposing quarterback throws to his first read.

Flowers shows elite closing speed already that looks like it'll only grow from here, as he enters his junior season with the Sea Kings. But he presents another advantage when it comes to shutting down air attacks: Flowers brings a wide receiver background too.

Hence how he's able to identify route recognitions and understand a wideout's strengths. He looks like a rangy, cerebral defender Patterson has worked with before during his TCU Horned Frogs run. Flowers definitely looks like a Patterson defensive back for the future.

But USC does face fierce competition to land the highly coveted 2028 star.

Who USC Must Fend Off for Jalen Flowers

Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley walks the field before the CFP national championship game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Georgia Bulldogs at SoFi Stadium. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Flowers heads to his first fall season recruiting weekend nearing 40 offers.

He's equipped with 37 different scholarships from various Power Four representatives, not just limited to USC. Georgia and LSU out of the SEC represent two big opportunities for Flowers. National Championship Game runner-up Miami is another that's offered. The Hurricanes already grabbed one nearby defensive back for the 2027 class already in five-star cornerback Donte Wright of Long Beach Poly.

But USC immediately launched its pursuit of fielding a highly-ranked recruiting class by swooping up prized Frisco, Texas dual-threat quarterback Trey Wright. They'll want a future "quarterback" of the defense. And Flowers rises as one who can certainly fit that bill.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, and X for the latest news.