Brandon Arrington isn’t just fast—he’s one of the nation’s elite sprinters and a 5-star football phenom. On the field and the track, the Mount Miguel High School standout from Spring Valley is a formidable opponent. On top of that, he is the top athlete in the nation and the 8th-best prospect overall in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. USC, Bama, Oregon, Texas A&M, PSU, and Georgia were the six universities that Arrington named as his top picks last month. However, with official visits lined up for five of them, the race for his commitment is heating up. But now, Kalen DeBoer and Dan Lanning have taken a major hit as a clear frontrunner emerges.

On April 3rd, On3’s Chad Simmons reported that USC is gaining serious momentum in the race for Brandon Arrington. Since his late 2024 visit, the Trojans have emerged as a real threat to land the dynamic athlete out of Mount Miguel High. But they’re not alone. Alabama made a strong impression during his March visit to Tuscaloosa, while Oregon is gearing up for a fierce battle down the stretch. Meanwhile, Texas A&M—once the clear leader—now finds itself in a heated fight to stay on top.

However, with Brandon Arrington at the top of their list, Lincoln Riley and his team are trying to keep elite talent in the neighborhood. And his recent visit to USC has rocked his recruitment process thus far, making other candidates more competitive.

“Well, the Trojans remain one of the top contenders for one of the most coveted in-state targets. Brandon Dash Arrington Jr.: I spoke with his father after the visit. They really enjoyed getting back around defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, one of the defensive back coaches, Doug Belk, and then Coach Riley. All three of them are very pivotal in this recruitment and keeping Arrington home,” stated Steve Wiltfong of On3. And that’s the reality. As of now, USC is making its move, and home-field advantage could be the game-changer.

If USC can pull it off, landing Brandon Arrington would be a massive win. Well, the explosive two-way athlete put up strong numbers last season, showcasing his versatility on both sides of the ball. As a junior, he racked up 527 receiving yards and 5 TDs on 31 receptions. On only five carries, he also added 52 yards and a TD on the ground. In addition, MaxPreps reports that he recorded three pass breakups and 26 tackles on defense.

However, people’s attention was drawn to Arrington outside the football field. He once again demonstrated why he is one of the most captivating athletes in the country by taking center stage in the 44th Mt. Carmel Sundevil Track & Field Invitational over the weekend. Arrington solidified his position as one of the country’s quickest sprinters at that precise moment. Yes, he set new marks for the San Diego Section and the nation with his scorching 100-meter dash performance of 10.24 seconds and his 200-meter dash speed of 20.37 seconds.

“If y’all ain’t know!!” was Arrington’s confident post on X following his commanding performance. Hopefully, the entire country does now. While lightning-fast speed isn’t necessary for CFB, it may be a game-changer when combined with exceptional size and athleticism. Here, Arrington is not just quick but also built to dominate, standing 6’2″ and weighing 180 pounds. Because of his unique blend of explosiveness, adaptability, and playmaking ability, he poses a significant threat on both sides of the ball. So, he is now a prospective difference-maker with the correct system, not just another recruit.

But Brandon just upended his plans for recruiting. He locked down 5 official visits back on March 12th, indicating a change in strategy. His new schedule, which starts on May 2nd, includes PSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, USC, and Oregon. This lineup is a significant departure from his original plans, with Alabama joining the mix and USC and Oregon switching places. To be honest, the race for Arrington has become even more fierce as the finish line draws near.

Why is USC interested in recruiting Brandon Arrington?

To be honest, D’Anton Lynn is not only USC’s DC; he is also the driving force behind one of CFB’s most significant defensive comebacks. He completely changed the defense at USC in a single season, reducing opponents’ scoring from 34.4 PPG in 2023 to just 24.1 points in 2024. His influence has also not been ignored. And best expressed by Wiltfong, stating, “The coaching, man. I mean, Coach D’Anton Lynn—his track record, what he did at UCLA, what he accomplished in year one at USC, and his NFL experience—that pedigree has USC in a great position.”

That defensive comeback is a game-changer for a 2-way talent like Brandon Arrington, who’s a playmaker on both sides of the ball and must think about where he’ll be best developed. Look, USC is now 21st nationally in total defense and jumped from 106th in 2023 to 2nd in the B1G. So, this makes the Trojans an even more alluring destination.

Now, with a dominant defense and Lincoln Riley’s potent attack, USC is putting up a compelling argument as Brandon Arrington’s top choice. However, the fight is far from over. Because Oregon and Alabama are not giving up and are still on the hunt. To put it plainly, the Trojans will have difficulty acquiring this outstanding potential; the battle for recruits is still ongoing and will need careful monitoring.