USC EDGE commit Luke Wafle named Rivals 5-star prospect

USC and Ohio State engaged in a back-and-forth battle in the final days of the recruitment of Middletown (N.J.) Hun School EDGE Luke Wafle. In the lead-up to his June 19 announcement, Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong reported that the Trojans and Buckeyes were engaged in a bidding war for the touted prospect.

In the end, it was Lincoln Riley and the West Coast Big Ten program that won out for the Garden State standout. Wafle is one of the most important recruiting wins of the cycle for the Trojans, and on Monday, that point was solidified.

The 6-foot-5.5, 255-pounder has been tabbed a five-star recruit in the updated Rivals300 rankings. He now checks in as the nation’s No. 8 overall prospect and is the No. 4 EDGE in the cycle.

Before even seeing Wafle take the field, it’s easy to understand how he’s able to dominate and disrupt a game on the defensive side of the ball. The top-ranked recruit in New Jersey quickly saw his recruitment take off in the fall, and he took full advantage, visiting more than 10 programs from last season through this summer.

Touted D-line coaches Eric Henderson and Shaun Nua, along with Riley, used good connections and growing résumés to help push USC to the top of Wafle’s list. A big-time NIL package also helped seal the deal in the final hours before Wafle announced his decision.

“USC was a very special experience,” Wafle’s father Dave told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “Coach Henny and Coach Nua were great. Coach (D’Anton) Lynn, we had some really great meetings with those guys. To actually sit down and have a one-on-one with Coach Riley was special. Spent a good amount of time talking to him about the program.”

Wafle is one of a whopping 31 commitments already in USC’s top-ranked recruiting class. He helps headline the class alongside Rivals Industry Ranking five-star tight end Mark Bowman and a heap of other top-100 prospects.

Scout’s Take on Luke Wafle

Rivals’ Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power previously wrote this of Wafle as a prospect:

“Wafle pairs ready-made size at over 6-foot-5, around 245 pounds, with excellent on-field play. Wafle is very well-rounded as a pass-rusher. He wins with athleticism and also has excellent play-strength. You see him win with speed to power, blow by offensive linemen on the edge and he is a highly-physical finisher in the backfield, has some emphatic finishes and the ability to corral ball-carriers. A high-end multi-sport athlete, excellent basketball player and strong thrower in track and field. We view Wafle as one of the more ready-made prospects in this cycle and one who could make an early impact in college, given the ability and polish he’s shown to this point as a prospect.”