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Recruiting

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts in the first half against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans continues to lead for four-star safety Gavin Williams, though the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tennessee Volunteers, and Miami Hurricanes are pushing as the Trojans battle to keep the elite California defender home.

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts in the first half against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans continues to lead for four-star safety Gavin Williams, though the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tennessee Volunteers, and Miami Hurricanes are pushing as the Trojans battle to keep the elite California defender home.

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Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and head coach Lincoln Riley react after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The No. 16 USC Trojans will wrap up their 2025 season against the TCU Horned Frogs before the new year on Dec. 30. With high expectations entering the 2026 season, these are three New Year's resolutions that USC coach Lincoln Riley should set.

Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman in the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans are in an early recruiting battle for five-star 2027 point guard Cayden Daughtry, a potential program-shaping target as coach Eric Musselman looks to land another elite guard for the Trojans.

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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Four-star wide receiver recruit Quentin Hale is accelerating his commitment timeline, with the USC Trojans and Alabama Crimson Tide emerging as the clear frontrunners as he eyes a potential February decision.

DeSoto's Ethan Feaster warms up after halftime during Friday's game at the Alamodome on Sept. 13, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

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Four-star receiver and USC Trojans signee Boobie Feaster led DeSoto (Texas) to its second state championship in three years, earning MVP honors and reshaping the school's record books in the process.

Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans head coach Eric Musselman in the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans have entered the mix for fast-rising 2026 wing recruit Boyuan Zhang, a Veritas Prep standout with extensive FIBA experience who surged up national rankings after the Tarkanian Prep Classic.

Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Jazzy Davidson (9) shoots a basket against the NC State Wolfpack during the third quarter of the Ally Tipoff game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

Basketball

Jazzy Davidson’s two-way dominance has the No. 17 USC Trojans thriving early, as the freshman guard leads the them across the stat sheet and enters the national Freshman of the Year race.

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans recently announced the re-signing of five more players who are returning for the 2026 season. One player that announced their return, who could emerge as a key offensive player, is wide receiver Corey Simms.

Nov 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Recruiting for the next recruiting cycle will begin ramping up again after the New Year's but who are some prospects that are high on the USC Trojans board on the defensive side of the ball.

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley holds the championship trophy after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The No. 16 USC Trojans look to finish the 2025 season on a high note with a win in the Alamo Bowl over the TCU Horned Frogs. After falling short of the College Football Playoff, Trojans fans will love the recent prediction for the Alamo Bowl.

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops on the sidelines as the Louisville Cardinals football team dominated Kentucky 41-0 Saturday, November 29, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.

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With rumors circulating about USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn leaving for the Penn State Nittany Lions to join new coach Matt Campbell, former Kentucky coach Mark Stoops could thrive as a defensive coordinator replacement.

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

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The USC Trojans defensive line featured some seasoned veterans and some fresh faces, especially true freshman Floyd Boucard and Jahkeem Stewart. While both are recovering from injuries this offseason, they will be a duo USC fans won't want to miss next ye

Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans are one of six teams making a push for three-star wide receiver recruit Eli Woodard. USC's recruiting momentum will help it land Woodard's commitment over the Oregon Ducks, Missouri Tigers, Washington Huskies, and several other programs.

Oct 21, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches from the sidelines against the Utah Utes in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans have shown immense growth throughout the 2025 season. While the team will lose players such as wide receiver Makai Lemon to the 2026 NFL Draft, there are several reasons to be excited for the program's future.

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

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The USC Trojans will be missing over half of their production from the wide receiver room in their Alamo Bowl showdown vs. the TCU Horned Frogs. Despite missing Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon, the Trojans will rely on a few of their secret weapons.

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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The Trojans recruiting talent has begun to heat up in the younger classes, especially with 2027 and 2028. For 2028 quarterback prospect Donald Tabron, Tabron is

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

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The USC Trojans' deep Polynesian recruiting ties could give them an edge as four-star Hawaii linebacker Toa Satele weighs the Trojans, Oregon Ducks, and California Golden Bears.

Hoban’s Elbert Hill IV (1) expresses some frustration after a missed interception attempt against Walsh in an OHSAA Division II regional final, Nov. 21, 2025, at Bearcats Stadium in Bedford, Ohio.

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The USC Trojans signed five cornerbacks in their No. 1 recruiting class from this past cycle. Tyner Academy (Tenn.) four-star cornerback signee Peyton Dyer raved about the recruits set to join a young but talented room.

DeSoto's Ethan Feaster warms up after halftime during Friday's game at the Alamodome on Sept. 13, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

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USC Trojans four-star recruit, wide receiver Ethan "Boobie" Feaster showed that he puts the team before himself in DeSoto's state championship win over the weeked. Feaster put his USC signing day on hold until after the game, showing his focus to his curr

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches pregame warmups against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans officially secured the No. 1-ranked 2026 recruiting class on Dec. 3. Wide receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, who arrives in the summer, could gain an early edge come the position battles after his state championship performance.

Feb 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Five-star 2026 forward recruit Christian Collins has reopened his recruitment after momentum toward the Kentucky Wildcats stalled, keeping the USC Trojans the mix while welcoming new interest from the Illinois Fighting Illini and Vanderbilt Commodores.

Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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One of the top recruits in California, five-star safety Honor Fa'alave-Johnson is taking notice of the USC Trojans' ability to keep the top in-state talent home. As a result, the highly-touted recruit has been intrigued by what the Trojans have to offer.

Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans' No. 1-ranked recruiting class is filled with California talent, and a number of USC signees were recently honored as some of the top high school players in Southern California, including five-star tight end Mark Bowman

Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Following their Alamo Bowl matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs, the USC Trojans will enter the offseason, looking to improve their roster through the transfer portal. How will USC approach the transfer portal, and what are its biggest needs?

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; 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. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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The USC Trojans have drawn some attention this month with the announcement of re-signings for its returning players. NIL and revenue-sharing are at the center of college football, and the Trojans are leaning into the new era of college football.