WeAreSC National Signing Day headquarters for the USC Trojans 2026 recruiting class

That’s all folks

Five-star tight end Mark Bowman is officially a member of the USC Trojans’ 2026 class and all 35 commits are accounted for in the signing class.

Evening note on Mark Bowman

Waiting for Bowman

Five-star tight end Mark Bowman is the only unsigned commitment remaining in the USC recruiting class. WeAreSC’s Scott Schrader was at Mater Dei this morning and Bowman and his parents confirmed he signed. Once he’s announced by USC, this class will be a wrap for today and the Trojans can start to turn their attention to how they’ll handle the transfer portal when it officially opens on January 2.

TomTom is a USC Trojan

USC flipped a few players in this class from other schools but there might not have been a bigger one that grabbing TomTom Topui away from Oregon. The 6-foot-2, 337-pound defensive tackle was as “must-get” as “must-gets” get for USC in this class as an elite, local defensive tackle. Too many of those guys have left the area while the Trojans have struggled at that spot. This is one of several signings in this class and last year’s class that USC is serious about building its defensive line. Topui and Winfield added to last year’s duo of Jahkeem Stewart and Floyd Boucard (plus another handful of interior linemen) has the makings of an elite group down the line.

A big one on defense

If you’re discussing the “must-get” recruits for the USC Trojans in this class, it wouldn’t take long for Talanoa Ili to be mentioned. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is the best linebacker in the West region and someone who has the ability to contribute quickly at a position of need for this team. Eric Gentry has been a playmaker at linebacker for three years with the Trojans and Ili is a guy who can do a lot of the same things. He’s in, and the Trojans officially have one of the defensive cornerstones of this class.

USC lands another linebacker

Four-star edge Shaun Scott is officially in. He’s listed as a linebacker by USC and going to be another high school edge rusher looking to make the move off the line of scrimmage and into the box for the Trojans. The size is already there at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, and he’s coming off a really productive senior season with 53 tackles, including 21 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.

The flip is official

Four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is officially announced by USC after flipping to the Trojans from Ohio State earlier this morning. Dixon-Wyatt caught 42 passes for 693 yards and eight touchdowns this season, bringing his four-year total to 129 receptions for 1,953 yards and 19 scores.

Offensive line class is wrapped

Four-star offensive tackle Vlad Dyakonov is in and that puts the finishing touches on a seven-man offensive line class with some high-end talent and developmental sleepers. Dyakonov brings a wrestling background to the position and is yet another lineman in this class who will block you into the parking lot.

USC goes all-in at Mater Dei

Plenty has been made over the last few years about how USC struggled to attact the top talent out of Mater Dei High School. There won’t be a word about that this year as USC went in and grabbed tight end Mark Bowman, defensive lineman TomTom Topui, linebacker Shaun Scott and wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. It’s not every top target out of the school, but that’s a haul.

USC getting big in the trenches

USC just added close to 1,000 pounds to its offensive and defensive lines across just three recruits in offensive lineman John Fifita (6-6, 350) and defensive linemen Simote Katoanga (6-4.5, 255) and Malik Brooks (6-2.5, 350). Katoanga has some positional versatility and could slide inside at the next level and his frame looks like it could add weight. Fifita and Brooks will likely take a little time to develop, but the starting point is a solid one.

Local pass rusher is in

Three-star defensive end Andrew Williams came out of nowhere to commit to USC back in February. He’s a two-way high school player at defensive end and tight end who finished with 10 sacks this season. He’s only played three years or football, so he might need some time to develop when he gets on campus. But the Trojans absolutely need to find some pass rush and his quick first step and long arms should help there eventually.

Lockhart and Riordan from start to finish

This entire USC class is pretty special in terms of how they came together and never waivered as a group. Defensive backs Brandon Lockhart and Madden Riordan are right at the top of the list when it comes to setting the tone for this class. Lockhart committed in October of 2023 and immediately became the most vocal and public leader of the group. Riordan joined the class just about a week after Lockhart and was another recruit on campus as much as possible and leading the way. If there’s a guy who will outplay his measurables and recruiting ranking in this class, it’s probably Riordan, who is as “football player” as it gets in terms of understanding of the game and playmaking ability.

California love

The California prospects are rolling in as USC prioritized the state this season and grabbed a bunch of the best recruits.

USC signs a trio of pass catchers

Three offensive skill players all arrive in the class at the same time as USC announces junior college tight end Josiah Jefferson and high school wideouts Trent Mosley and Tron Baker. Mosley improved his stock maybe as much as any high school player in the state this year as he was dominant for a fantastic Santa Margarita team. He finished with 293 receiving yards and four total touchdowns in the Eagles’ Division I championship game win against Corona Centennial.

USC wanted a second tight end in this class and grabbed the best one in the juco ranks in the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Jefferson. He’s the younger brother of former Oklahoma Sooner and NFL veteran Tony Jefferson and should contribute quickly at the position.

Baker was the very first commitment in this 2026 class for USC, all the way back in September of 2023. He’s a fluid athlete with good ball skills.

Local DB makes it official

Three-star defensive back Joshua Holland committed to the Trojans all the way back in the summer of 2024 and never wavered. He has two-way skills but will play on the defensive side of the ball at the next level. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound prospect has the length and height USC is looking for at the cornerback position.

USC lands a signing day flip

Two-hour update

USC Trojans cruising to the No. 1 class

Another big piece for the O-Line

USC continues to build the offensive line in this class as four-star lineman Esun Tafa is officially in. The former Washington commit has some positional versatility at tackle or guard and plays with a real edge to his game. At 6-foot-5, 335 pounds and with some really solid technique already, he’s a guy who might not take long to see the field for the Trojans.

A big-upside lineman

Offensive lineman Kannon Smith is one of those recruits where the ranking doesn’t match the offer sheet. The 6-foor-4, 290-pound Smith is a three-star prospect and the nation’s No. 661 recruit, but held offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State and plenty more power programs. Smith played tackle in high school and probably has the ability to play all five positions along the line, but USC will look to play him at center when he arrives on campus. He’ll likely need a little time to adjust there and learn the position, but he plays with an aggressiveness that is going to translate anywhere along the line.

Maybe USC’s biggest out-of-state get

This isn’t a recruiting battle USC has typically won in the past. But the Trojans went into Texas and pulled out one of the best interior defensive linemen in the country. Jaimeon Winfield finished this cycle as the No. 38 overall prospect and No. 3 interior defensive lineman in the Rivals300 and was coveted by in-state and SEC programs. He looks like someone who could contribute early and his upside is tremendous.

USC wins a big battle for Boobie

Four-star wide receiver Boobie Feaster is officially in the class after USC goes into Texas and pulls off another major recruiting win. Texas A&M made a late push but USC won out for his signature. In 12 games as a senior, Feaster caught 69 passes for 1,264 yards and 15 touchdowns. There’s not much he can’t do at the position as he checks in as the nation’s No. 38 overall prospect and No. 4 receiver after reclassifying from the 2027 to the 2026 class.

A big-play wideout

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver Roderick Tezeno looks like a big-play guy as a deep threat on the outside.

USC adds another Midwest standout

USC is taking advantage of its consistent games in the Midwest as a member of the Big Ten with a few major recruiting wins back there. Four-star defensive lineman Braeden Jones is another and, as a Chicago prospect, was a big recruiting win for USC over Notre Dame. This is an impactful defensive line class for the Trojans and the 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end is a big pick-up.

Lincoln Riley lands his quarterback

There was major quarterback drama for the Trojans last season as JuJu Lewis continued to listen to other schools while staying committed before ultimately being dropped by USC, who pivoted successfully to Husan Longstreet. There was little drama this year after Jonas Williams flipped from Oregon and then stayed firm in his USC commitment to signing day. Williams plays like a Lincoln Riley quarterback as a guy with a quick release, can run RPO really well, is a tough tackle in the pocket and in the open field, and consistently makes right decisions with the football.

USC adds to defensive line

The first of three Texas prospects is in as 6-foot-3, 290-pound Jake Johnson has signed. The former offensive lineman flipped to the defensive side of the ball as a sophomore and it didn’t take long for the Trojans to gain interest.

Signing with the real SC

Four-star defensive back Peyton Dyer is in. He was originally committed to South Carolina a year ago but opened up his recruitment following a visit to USC. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defender is ranked as a cornerback but could slide to safety for the Trojans.

Another IMG win

Four-star offensive lineman Breck Kolojay is in. He’s the second IMG prospect in this class and another guy who might not need more than a year (or a few games) to be ready to contribute. This is another win over Miami and Georgia on the recruiting trail and Kolojay is part of a trio in this class (with tight end Mark Bowman and offensive lineman Kannon Smith) who played youth football together in Colorado.

The future left tackle?

USC hadn’t made much noise at IMG Academy over the years as that school brings in talent from all over the country and then typically sends it to SEC schools. But the Trojans got on the right side of a couple recruiting battles this year and 6-foot-7, 325-pound offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe is one of them. He looks like a left tackle of the future and was a huge recruiting win over Miami, Florida and Georgia.

USC’s top-ranked defender

The highest-ranked defensive player in this class is officially signed as four-star cornerback Rock Hill is in. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound, four-star corner is the nation’s No. 37 overall recruit and No. 4 corner. USC went into Ohio for a major recruiting victory over the Buckeyes (as well as Alabama and Oregon) for a guy who has the talent to see the field quickly.

A big-time back is in

Four-star running back Shahn Alston is the next signee. He’s a 5-foot-10, 205-pound back who was phenomenally productive in high school. He rushed 172 times for 1,548 yards (9.0 average) and 29 touchdowns as a senior, to go along with 40 receptions for 489 yards and five more scores. In his high school career, he totaled 4,389 yards and 74 touchdowns rushing and 70 receptions for 834 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. He even completed two passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns.

The five-star edge

USC opens up signing day with likely one of the most impactful players in this class as five-star defensive end Luke Wafle is the first signee announced. Wafle is a four-star prospect in the Rivals Industry Rankings, but a five-star recruit and the No. 4 overall prospect in the Rivals 300. USC won a major recruiting battle over Ohio State for Wafle and at 6-foot-5.5 and 255 pounds with a non-stop motor, he’s someone would will have a shot to play early.

One name to watch today

USC commits coming into signing day

Here’s a position-by-position look at all the commitments for the Trojans heading into the day. Rankings are Rivals Industry rankings.