Lincoln Riley woke up thinking he had his house in order. The Trojans were rolling, the 2026 recruiting class was stacking up, and USC had its eyes locked on a top-tier defensive back. But college football recruiting ain’t a fairytale—one second you’re up, the next, you’re watching a five-star talent pack his bags for another program. According to the latest tea? It stings. Bad.

For months, USC had been the favorite for Oaks Christian standout Davon Benjamin, a top 4 CB/S in the nation. But now? Big 10 champ Oregon is creeping up like a shark in bloody water. According to On3 insiders, the Ducks are in the driver’s seat, and top recruiting analyst Justin Hopkins has slapped a 65% confidence rating on Benjamin heading north. “The Ducks have probably led for quite some time now,” said Hopkins. “USC has done well so far recruiting DBs in California, but they won’t get them all. Oregon is the team to beat here.” Steve Wiltfong backed it up with his own prediction, and just like that, Riley’s secondary plans took a gut punch.

Benjamin, a 6’0” reclassified safety from Westlake Village, is the type of player defenses build around. Ranked as the No. 4 safety in the country, he’s got offers from the usual powerhouses—Miami, Ohio State, Michigan, Washington—but it’s Oregon making the loudest noise. The Ducks already hold the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026, landing commitments from five-star talents like tight end Kendre Harrison and offensive tackle Kodi Greene. Adding Benjamin? That’s just flexing.

There’s a plot twist here, though—Benjamin isn’t completely out of USC’s grasp. The DB has already visited USC three times, and he’s set to be back on campus again this Thursday. While Oregon is leading the charge, Wiltfong isn’t calling it a done deal just yet, giving his prediction only a 50% confidence rating. “There is optimism around the Trojans program and where they stand with Benjamin,” he noted. Translation? Lincoln Riley ain’t waving the white flag just yet. So is there a chance to lock in?

Does Lincoln Riley and USC have a shot at pulling Davon Benjamin?

USC has made it a priority to lock down California’s top talent, and General Manager Chad Bowden doubled down on that mission just days ago. He called the 2026 class “one of the most talented I’ve ever seen” and emphasized how crucial it is for USC to dominate in-state recruiting. Benjamin is a key piece to that puzzle. He’s got close ties to current Trojan commits like RJ Sermons and Brandon Lockhart, who have been pushing hard to get him in cardinal and gold.

The Trojans’ defensive backs coach Doug Belk and assistant Trovon Reed have already stacked the room with talent, but losing Benjamin to Oregon would still sting—especially since he’s from their backyard. But here’s the thing: USC isn’t exactly starving for DB talent. The Trojans have already secured commitments from some of the nation’s top corners, including Brandon Arrington and Lockhart, both of whom rank in the top six nationally. They’re still very much in play for other big names, and one bad recruiting loss won’t sink the ship.

But make no mistake—Riley wants this one. Bad. And if Benjamin slips away, it won’t be because USC didn’t try. The Trojans are pulling out all the stops for this visit, knowing full well that if they let him leave campus without a shift in momentum, the Ducks will be celebrating another massive win. So, is Benjamin heading to Oregon? All signs point to yes. But if USC has one last ace up its sleeve, we’re about to see it play out in real-time pretty soon. Because in the cutthroat world of college football recruiting, it ain’t over till the ink dries.