Top California prospects in the 2026 class

California remains one of the top recruiting hotbeds in the country. The Golden State continues to churn out top talent and the 2026 cycle is no different.

As of June 4, there are 35 blue-chip prospects in California, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Of those 35 prospects, 24 are currently commmitted.

USC has already landed nine top in-state prospects, headlined by five-star tight end Mark Bowman. Texas A&M, Cal and Ohio State are other schools to have multiple blue-chippers from the state committed thus far.

Below are the top prospects in California this cycle, as well as where they are committed or who’s trending to land their pledge:

1. CB Brandon Arrington

School: Mount Miguel
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 9 NATL. (No. 1 CB)

The Skinny: Arrington began his official visit schedule with a trips to Penn State and Washington and is now set to see Oregon this weekend. Alabama, USC and Texas A&M currently round out his OV schedule. The Aggies continue to trend in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Arrington has a July 5 commitment date locked in.

“It is going to be a foot race to the end,” Arrington told On3’s Chad Simmons. “All five (schools) are up there now. Who recruits me the hardest, who gets me on the field early and who I believe can develop me the best will get me.”

2. TE Mark Bowman — USC commit

School: Mater Dei
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 12 NATL. (No. 1 TE)

Bowman on USC: “It is so different with USC now,” he recently told On3. “It has changed a lot over the last year and since they made changes. They have been recruiting much harder the last few months. It is every day with USC now, and that has changed things for me with them. I like what the staff is doing, their energy and they are close to home too.”

3. QB Ryder Lyons

School: Folsom
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 17 NATL. (No. 5 QB)

The Skinny: Oregon is now trending for Lyons in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. USC was once considered the team in the driver’s seat, while the likes of BYU, Ole Miss, Ohio State and Michigan have also been involved. Lyons will take an LDS Mission trip after graduating high school and will not enroll in college until the spring of 2027. Lyons is now the top uncommitted QB in the On3 Industry Ranking.

4. WR Chris Henry Jr. — Ohio State commit

School: Mater Dei
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 24 NATL. (No. 3 WR)

Scouting Summary: “Big receiver with a rare combination of size, athleticism and coordination as a young prospect. Measured in at over 6-foot-4.5 and around 185 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Tests as a strong athlete, posting an electronically-timed 4.65 second 40 yard dash at Under Armour’s Ohio Camp. Flashes outstanding functional movement skills at his size, with the ability to sink his hips and change direction with ease. Projects as a high level route runner as he continues to progress. Not overly long for his height, but flashes good ball skills and catch radius. Has strong pedigree as the son of the late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry.”

5. EDGE Richard Wesley

School: Sierra Canyon
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 25 NATL. (No. 4 EDGE)

The Skinny: Wesley committed to Oregon on May 10, but his pledge lasted less than three weeks. He’ll return to Eugene for an official visit with the Ducks this weekend, however. Texas, Ohio State and Texas A&M are the other programs charging for the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder. Official visits will take Wesley’s recruitment into the fall. Oregon is still trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

“He’s still 90 percent with the Ducks,” Wesley’s father Jonathan told On3’s Steve Wiltfong on May 28. “He’s just going through the whole process, which I think he should.”

6. OT Kodi Greene — Washington commit

School: Mater Dei
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 29 NATL. (No. 4 OT)

Scouting Summary: “Nimble offensive tackle who brings a translatable skill set with size and projectable movement skills. Measured around 6-foot-6, and north of 300 pounds before his senior season. Touts average to solid length for his height. Transferred to SoCal powerhouse Mater Dei for his junior season, primarily lining up at right tackle for the Monarchs. A high-level mover. Fluid and balanced. Works to the second level effortlessly. Dangerous as a puller. Shows good pop in his hands and plays with encouraging power. Has a solid understanding of body positioning, walling off defensive linemen. More advanced as a run blocker, but has the skill set to develop into a reliable pass protector over time.”

7. CB Davon Benjamin

School: Oaks Christian
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 38 NATL. (No. 3 CB)

The Skinny: After taking a slew of spring visits, Benjamin is now embarking on official visits this summer. He began with a trip to Michigan last weekend and will now head to Texas this weekend. Other contenders in his recruitment include Oregon, USC, North Carolina and Washington. Benjamin is the No. 1 CB in the On300. Oregon is currently trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

8. CB Havon Finney — LSU commit

School: Sierra Canyon
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 62 NATL. (No. 6 CB)

About: LSU beat out Southern Cal, Michigan, Oregon and more for Finney, who reclassified from the 2027 class into the current 2026 class earlier this offseason. He was previously ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in the rising junior class.

9. EDGE Simote Katoanga — USC commit

School: Santa Margarita Catholic
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 65 NATL. (No. 12 EDGE)

Scout’s Take: “Simote Katoanga stood out in a strong defensive line group on Sunday. From a physical standpoint, he looks fantastic. Great build that still has room to develop and add mass with ease. And during drill work, he showed that even as one of the taller prospects out on the field he can still bend and move as good as anyone. He has excellent feet and tremendous balance, especially for his size. During the competitive period, Katoanga displayed a strong long-arm move to bully offensive tackles. He won with it multiple times, but even when he was stopped, he was able to show effective counter moves to escape trouble and get to the quarterback.” — On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire

10. CB Brandon Lockhart — USC commit

School: Los Angeles Loyola
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 71 NATL. (No. 10 CB)

Scout’s Take: “Lockhart locked down his side of the field on Sunday. The On300 prospect first came down with a strong pass breakup in the end zone, turning his head and finding the ball en route to making a play. He later came down with one of the more impressive picks we saw on the day, tracking and coming down with the the football in a crowd while defending a vertical route. The USC pledge’s ball skills and awareness in coverage stood out.” – On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power

Other top 2026 prospects in California

11. WR Vance Spafford — Georgia commit
12. WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt — Ohio State commit
13. QB Brady Smigiel — Michigan commit
14. RB Brian Bonner
15. TE Israel Briggs

16. DL Tomuhini Topui — USC commit
17. IOL Tommy Tofi — Cal commit
18. RB Deshonne Redeaux — USC commit
19. LB Tristan Phillips — Oregon commit
20. QB Oscar Rios