USC jumps to No. 3 in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

Despite a less than stellar year on the field last season, USC’s momentum in the 2025 recruiting class hasn’t slowed down.

The Trojans came into this weekend as one just a few schools with a five-star commitment, and they added two of the nation’s best 2025 prospects to their class on Sunday.

Early Sunday morning, news broke that five-star Georgia defensive line commit Justus Terry had flipped his pledge from the Bulldogs to the Trojans. And just a few hours later, elite four-star EDGE Isaiah Gibson has announced his commitment to Lincoln Riley and Co.

Combined with quarterback Julian Lewis, the duo gives USC the No. 3 class in the updated On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. All three hail from the state of Georgia, ranking No. 2, 3 and 4 in the Peach State in the On300.

“The opportunities that USC has on and off the field were big, for sure,” Gibson told On3. “It was my first time in California, and I like that they have my major [business real estate]. I feel like I could thrive inside and outside of football, and it was just the right decision.”

He chose the Trojans over the likes of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Clemson, Oregon and more than 20 other programs. Riley and Co. also flipped Georgia five-star defensive line commit Justus Terry, who was on the visit as well. And the two actually committed back-to-back in Riley’s office.

“I was in the office talking to Coach Riley for like an hour,” Gibson said. “And Justus and Coach Henny were in the office, Justus was like, ‘Let’s make it a done deal, Coach.’ And I came right behind him and committed.”

Playing for Trojans, Eric Henderson is a big opportunity for Gibson

Gibson admits he himself was surprised by how much he liked it on Los Angeles. But the way Riley runs his program appealed a lot to him. As the atmosphere in L.A. for a kid coming from Warner Robins.

“I like his coaching style for sure, the way he lets his player be themselves,” Gibson said of Riley. “It’s like so many different personalities, but everyone is themselves. It’s a lot different vibes.”

But most important in his decision was the chance to play for defensive line coach Eric Henderson, who coached Aaron Donald and built one of the NFL’s best defensive lines while with the Rams. Donald himself was even at the practice, and Gibson got a chance to chop it up with him.

“I went to the practice and had a lot of meetings with different coaches. Spent the most time with Coach Henderson,” he said. “It’s amazing to be coached by the guy who coached one of the greatest linemen of all-time (Aaron Donald), it’s a no-brainer for sure.

Gibson is the No. 37 overall prospect and No. 2 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 8 player in Georgia.