Top California recruits 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 Aug. 20, there are 36 blue-chip prospects in California, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Of those 36 prospects, all are committed heading into their senior seasons.

USC has already landed nine top in-state prospects, headlined by five-star tight end Mark Bowman. Texas A&M, Oregon, Washington and Ohio State are among the 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 to right now:

1. CB Brandon Arrington — Texas A&M commit

School: Mount Miguel
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 10 NATL. (No. 1 CB)

Arrington on his commitment: “I have been there, I have been in the locker room with the team and I have been in that atmosphere – I love it,” he told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “Coach Elko has the program coming up. He is a great coach and I feel I can help the team there. Getting on the field early, and having a chance to make a name for myself as a freshman was a big part of my decision. I see a great opportunity at A&M.”

2. TE Mark Bowman — USC commit

School: Mater Dei
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 15 NATL. (No. 1 TE)

Bowman on USC: “It is so different with USC now,” he told Rivals . “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. EDGE Richard Wesley — Texas commit

School: Sierra Canyon
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 19 NATL. (No. 3 EDGE)

Scout’s Take: “Richard Wesley is the top pass rusher on the West Coast this cycle. Was the No. 1 edge prospect in the 2027 cycle before reclassifying. He reclassified into a really, really strong EDGE group nationally in 2026. For a 16-year old, very advanced physically. Muscled up, filled out build. He has been a really good player at Sierra Canyon to this point. Had a very productive season last fall: 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks and I think considering that was really technically his sophomore season, second varsity season, I think that’s encouraging and looking for him to take a step this year.”

4. WR Chris Henry Jr. — Ohio State commit

School: Mater Dei
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 20 NATL. (No. 2 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. QB Ryder Lyons — BYU commit

School: Folsom
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 32 NATL. (No. 5 QB)

Lyons on BYU: “I just want to win, so seeing what they did last season, seeing how they played and knowing the trajectory of the program did a lot for me,” he told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “I am a competitor. Having a chance to win is something very important to me. They were right there last season, they won a lot of games and it looks like they can build on that. That was big for me to see.”

6. OT Kodi Greene — Washington commit

School: Mater Dei
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 33 NATL. (No. 5 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 — Oregon commit

School: Oaks Christian
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 43 NATL. (No. 6 CB)

Benjamin on the Ducks: “It was Oregon just ’cause I felt connected ever since the beginning,” he told Scoop Duck. “It felt right being in the arms of Coach (Dan) Lanning and Coach Tosh Lupoi and (Rashad) Wadood. Just about them being themselves from the start. They proved to me that they’re somebody I can depend on to get me to the next level.”

8. RB Brian Bonner — Washington commit

School: Valencia
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 68 NATL. (No. 5 RB)

Bonner on his pledge: “I really like the coaching staff,” he told Rivals’ Adam Gorney. “I like how coach Fisch runs his offense and I really like coach Scottie Graham, the running backs coach. He and I have a really good relationship and we’ve been building that for a long time. I really like coach Fisch, coach Graham and the rest of the coaching staff.”

9. EDGE Simote Katoanga — USC commit

School: Santa Margarita Catholic
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 77 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.”

10. CB Havon Finney — LSU commit

School: Sierra Canyon
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 87 NATL. (No. 11 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.

Other top 2026 prospects in California

11. CB Brandon Lockhart — USC commit
12. WR Vance Spafford — Miami commit
13. WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt — Ohio State commit
14. DL Khary Wilder — Ohio State commit
15. RB Deshonne Redeaux — USC commit

16. TE Israel Briggs — Miami commit
17. QB Brady Smigiel — Michigan commit
18. IOL Tommy Tofi — Oregon commit
19. DL Tomuhini Topui — USC commit
20. OT Vlad Dyakonov — USC commit