USC Trojans Emerging As Early Contenders For Four-Star Defensive Line Recruit?

The USC Trojans have emerged as one of the top teams in the four-star defensive lineman Alifeleti Tuihalamaka. One of the top recruits from California in the 2027 recruiting cycle, Tuihalamaka is hearing from the Notre Dame Fighting irish in addition to the Trojans.

Sep 10, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the third quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images | Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans have been aggressively pursuing the top in-state prospects in the 2027 recruiting cycle, similar to their recruiting strategy for the 2026 cycle. It's a strategy that USC general manager Chad Bowden has utilized to bring together one of the top classes in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Four-star defensive lineman Alifeleti Tuihalamaka is one of the top players at his position in the state of California. The four-star recruit is teammates with a USC commit in 2026 four-star running back Deshonne Redeaux at Oaks Christian.

USC Flashing Interest In Elite Defensive Line Recruit

Oct 15, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches warm ups prior to a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Tuihalamaka spoke with Rivals about his recruitment and has taken note of USC coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans' effort in trying to keep him home.

“They’ve been pushing really hard. They text me just about every day. Just knowing they’re willing to reach out every day and get to know me. It’s in my mind and that’s what’s going on so the work they’re putting in will help with my recruiting class," Tuihalamaka said.

The No. 22 defensive lineman and No. 235 player in the country according to 247Sports, Tuihalamaka is the No. 4 defensive lineman in California and holds 17 offers. His recruitment has exploded this offseason and his most recent offers include Michigan, Texas, and Texas A&M.

Notre Dame is another program that has had their eye on Tuihalamaka. The Fighting Irish are a program that the California native is very familiar with considering his older brother Junior is entering his senior season with the program.

Junior Tuihalamaka was a four-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting cycle and was originally committed to USC before ultimately signing with Notre Dame.

For the younger Tuihalamaka brother, the Trojans are currently the favorites for his commitment according to Rivals' Prediction Machine. The RPM gives USC an 11.3 percent chance of landing the Golden State native. However, there is still a long way to go until the Early National Signing Period next year.

Jan 18, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman talks to the media during 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at Georgia World Congress Center, Building A. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

MORE: USC Trojans' Recruiting Class Ranked: Brimming With Top In-State California Talent

MORE: USC Trojans Quarterback Jayden Maiava's Message To USC Fans

MORE: USC Trojans’ Lincoln Riley Reveals Injury Update on Receiver Ja’Kobi Lane

MORE: Matt Leinart Gets Honest About Lincoln Riley's Job Security Amid USC Trojans Decline

Trojans Pursuing Other Top In-State Recruits

Oct 15, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches warm ups prior to a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Currently, the Trojans have 32 commits in their 2026 recruiting class. 17 of them are from California and that isn't by coincidence. When Bowden was hired at the beginning of the year, he emphasized the importance of recruiting the Golden State.

"If you look at it, there have been plenty of players up front that have come from California, that have been incredibly successful, whether it's at USC or other places. We've just got to continue to identify, evaluate, recruit and be on the right ones, and we will," Bowden said. 

In the 2027 recruiting cycle, USC is in the mix for a handful of the top in-state recruits. Four-star defensive linemen Elija Harmon and Jon Ioane are among the Trojans' top targets in California along with Tuihalamaka.