USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Working To Rebuild Mater Dei Recruiting Pipeline

The USC Trojans extended an offer to Mater Dei (CA) 2028 safety Ace Leutele this past weekend. He was one of many recruits from the 2026, 2027 and 2028 cycles from Mater Dei to make the trip to USC's campus for Junior Day.

Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley on the sideline in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans are working to rebuild the pipeline to Mater Dei High School and that includes recruits from every upcoming recruiting class. USC extended an offer to 2028 standout safety Ace Leutele when he visited campus last weekend for Junior Day. Leutele has taken a number of visits to Los Angeles since he was in elementary school, but this one was different. 

Leutele may only be a freshman in high school, but is already being pursued by Miami, Arizona State and North Carolina, among others. His signing day is still a very long way away, but the Trojans are getting a head start on a player that is almost guaranteed to be one of the top prospects in the country for his recruiting class. 

AGTG! After a great talk with @Doug_Belk @Bookie_44 @TrovonReed and @dantonlynn I’m blessed to say I’ve received a scholarship from The University of Southern California ✌️. #LLL #LLA #1050@MDFootball @raul3lara @OLCoachCam @Realregular4 pic.twitter.com/OiZJaVdphj

— Ace Leutele (@AceLeutele4_) February 1, 2025

“Getting a scholarship offer from USC means a lot to me,” Leutele told On3. “Growing up, I watched them on TV and at the Coliseum. USC was a part of my childhood, so it felt really good when I got a scholarship offer.” 

Despite Mater Dei being flooded with elite division one talent every year, the Trojans have not signed a player from them since the 2022 recruiting class, when they signed three — Domani Jackson, Raleek Brown and CJ Williams. All three have since transferred from the program. 2022 was also the same year legendary high school coach Bruce Rollinson retired, he was a USC alum. The Monarchs have provided prominent athletes for USC over the years like quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Matt Barkley, and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. 

However, programs like Oregon and Alabama have had more success recently landing recruits from Mater Dei, a school that is located an hour away from the Trojans campus. Something Lincoln Riley and the USC coaching staff is working to change. 

Several members of the Trojans staff were at Mater Dei in early January and then USC hosted a large number of them from the 2026 and 2027 cycles this past weekend. 2026 four-star receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, four-star tight end Mark Bowman, four-star defensive lineman and Oregon commit Tomuhini Topui, and five-star receiver and Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr. 2027 offensive lineman Lex Mailangi, defensive lineman Montana Toiolo and Matamagi Uiagalelei all made the quick trip to Los Angeles. 

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Expect USC to be regular visitors in the spring when the NCAA recruiting dead period ends in March and into the fall. USC has the luxury of making numerous trips down to Orange County and taking several staff members with them because of its close proximity. They will also be able to bring them to a number of game days at the Coliseum. 

The Trojans have implemented an impressive front office and coaching staff to possibly land the top-ranked recruiting class in the 2026 cycle. They currently have the No. 2 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. 

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

USC was able to hire away Chad Bowden from rival Notre Dame to be their general manager. He brought Zaire Turner with him, she will take on the role of Assistant AD of Recruiting Operations, and Illinois’ Dre Brown will hold the title of Executive Director of Scouting and Personnel. 

Chad Savage comes over from Colorado State to be the inside receivers/tight ends coach. He is thought of very highly by high school coaches in Southern California. Rob Ryan brings his wealth of knowledge from the NFL and takes over Matt Entz as the linebackers coach. Former UCF’s cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed will take on the same role with the Trojans. 

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