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USC puts on a show welcoming official visitors to the Coliseum

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney06/06/25ErikTMcKinney

The USC Trojans are kicking off a gigantic weekend of official visitors as Lincoln Riley and staff will host four key uncommitted targets and a double-digit number of commits on official visits.

There has been an energy for months from USC around building this 2026 class. The Trojans hit the accelerator when they hired Chad Bowden away from Notre Dame as their new General Manager and the class has grown quickly. USC holds the No. 1 recruiting class in the country with 27 commitments, including seven of the top 100 prospects in the nation.

If there was any question as to how USC was building excitement among these 2026 recruits, a quick look from committed cornerback Elbert Hill as to how he arrived to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on his official visit provides plenty of insight.

USC set up a red carpet treatment down one of the Coliseum tunnels and filled it with every assistant coach and staffer on hand. Hill makes his way through the handshake line of assistant coaches, making sure to avoid all eight of USC’s Heisman Trophies on display, before arriving at Bowden with a big hug. Head coach Lincoln Riley is one of his final greetings as Hill gets another up-close look at his next home.

Perhaps USC’s most important visitor this weekend is elite linebacker Talanoa Ili. The Trojans have a long history of standout linebackers and Bowden let Ili know he could be the next.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz