Double Blow for Lincoln Riley as USC Insider Confirms Trouble After HC’s Strong Message

USC and Lincoln Riley are walking on eggshells, and time is running out. Following a lackluster 2024 season, USC badly needed to be back to its recruiting prime. Riley knows that the third year at Southern California might be his last chance to validate his top-tier status as a head coach. The arrival of prized recruiters Eric Henderson and secondary coach Doug Belk will certainly help him push toward that goal. New general manager Chad Bowden’s unique strategy to focus on the in-state talents will also play a big role in the Trojans’ recruiting ballgame. But remember when Bowden said, even if a guy committed to your school, it doesn’t mean you are in a safe zone. On that note, attending a Spring practice would mean nothing.

Yes, we are talking about four-star defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui, who recently flipped his commitment from the Ducks. Just hours after cutting ties to Dan Lanning and co, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui took a trip to the South California campus as the Trojans gear up for the spring practice. They are certainly at the forefront of landing blue-chipper as per On3’s Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons.

But you can’t have the prize without battling a gusty opponent. For coach Riley, it seems that the opponent is none other than the defending champion Ohio State and Ryan Day. USCJ Lost In Tha Sauce Podcast host dropped some head-turning intel on his recruitment saga. ”Family member hit me up and said that there’s another team that could possibly come to play. You guys remember me telling you that and that is Ohio State. So, they’re big-time player. I was told that he’s supposed to be taking a visit there. Matter of fact, one of the family members that hit me up said that Epi (Sitanilei) from St John Bosco is supposed to be hosting him when he goes there. And you guys know that Epi is a big-time defensive end Edge guy out of St John Bosco who’s currently there.

It would be really interesting if the Buckeyes make a wild card entry in the picture and end up landing the top 4-star recruit in the 2026 cycle in their revamped DL room. But don’t just get it wrong, USC is still very much in the picture. Growing up in LA, Topui dubbed the Trojans as his dream school. He emphasized his extremely cordial relationship with coach Shaun Nua as a potential driving force in this recruitment.

The USCJ host also acknowledged that the ball is still in the Trojans’ court despite posing a major OSU threat. ‘‘I think TomTom he kind of missed the process, committed to Oregon real early and he never really had the opportunity to have the process play out (to explore OSU). However, on the flip side, I’m told that he still feels that USC is the favorite. USC is the lean and so look man, let’s just let this thing play out. “

However, whether or not Riley misses out on his almost sure-shot target out of Mater Dei, it is his second tumultuous threat under the belt after the prized offensive tackle out of Hawaii posed a cryptic move.

USC looks to be the number 1 in the 2026 cycle, despite a few qualms

Malakei Lee, a standout offensive tackle, a top 100 recruit nationally, is weighing heavily on USC and Coach Riley. The 6-foot-7 plays a pivotal role for Kamehamesha Secondary in Honolulu, Hawaii. His impressive physique and unique skill set enticed Lincoln Riley and his staff, and they couldn’t help but push hard to land Lee. The optimistic postscript: Steve Wiltfong of On3 deems USC as one of the hot favorites in his list.

Lee has already cut down his choices to six schools, namely Michigan, USC, Texas, and Georgia. BYU and Alabama. Here comes the trouble. The Bama ain’t just sitting out as a top 6, they are actively turning the stone to grab the prize. according to a recent update from Tim Watts, lead publisher of ‘Bama Online,’ Lee took a trip to the Tuscaloosa this weekend, adding to Riley’s growing insecurity.

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The report reads:  ”Malakai Lee, the big monster Hawaiian offensive tackle is on campus today. The 6’7” and 300 plus pounds look everything you’re looking for in an offensive tackle.” But despite the drops of doubts and debates surrounding the Trojans’ 2026 recruiting class, don’t forget, they sit No. 2 on the chart, one spot behind the recruiting brilliance of Brian Kelly at LSU.

The Trojans’ recruiting squad is pushing harder to jump that one step, too, and end up at the helm. It seems they are almost on the cusp of cracking another big win with 5-star cornerback Brandon Arrington. The nation’s No. 1 lockdown DB’s father put his trust in Coach Belk, Coach Lynn, and Coach Riley. When the affirmation comes from the parents, it is almost a lock. And if it’s the case, LSU, it’s a checkmate!