Well, Lincoln Riley’s been walking a tightrope — one wrong step, and he’s toast. But somehow, he keeps finding solid ground. The recent noise around him? That’s louder than a jackhammer at dawn. Some thought he was leaving for the NFL. While others believed he would exploit USC’s $110 million deal until it failed or he got the boot. But just when folks thought they had him figured out, Riley yanked the steering wheel, making a sharp left turn. This move isn’t just turning heads but also giving Dan Lanning a headache.

Now, the Trojans had what many would consider a disappointing season with a 7-6 record. And can we blame them? They did play against tough teams like Notre Dame and Penn State but lost against teams like Maryland and Minnesota, which they shouldn’t have. Now, entering into the 2025 season, a class stacked with high-rated recruits will only enhance the anticipation for a better season. And Lincoln Riley is making sure that happens.

Even though the Trojans HC’s 2025 recruiting officially finished with the No. 14 class nationally with 23 high school signees and one JUCO signing, his 2026 class is the one making the most noise. They are this close to claiming the No. 1 spot of the 2026 recruiting class, leaving the Oregon Ducks in the trenches. But how? Well, putting light into it, On3’s Steve Wiltfong says, “They [the recruits] are gushing about this program right now. The Trojans are right on Oregon’s heels and currently hold the No. 2 recruiting class in the country. They flipped Jonas Williams from Oregon and beat Notre Dame for  Simote Katoanga, a top-100 edge rusher from Santa Margarita, California.” Just so you know, they snatched him from last season’s playoff contenders like Oregon, ND, Texas, Ohio State, and Georgia.

Moreover, their big win is flipping a four-star quarterback recruit from Oregon. Jonas Williams is actually among Lincoln Riley’s high-end achievements. But despite that, Oregon stands firm in the first position. Why? Well, Riley sure did a great job with his recruiting game, but even Dan Lanning is not a noob. He got his eyes set on the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, Jared Curtis from Nashville, shortly after Williams made his move. Now for Jared, the competition is between the Ducks and Georgia.

Even Lincoln Riley is gaining momentum with more top targets. Four-star receiver Trent Mosley is a high priority for USC due to his impressive background. He comes from a family with strong ties to Notre Dame, where his mom excelled in soccer and his dad played football. Although Stanford is also showing interest, USC currently has the upper hand. Mosley recently visited the campus, and the Trojans seem to be in a favorable position.

Another player who’s under Lincoln Riley’s radar is Malakai Lee, a top prospect from Hawaii and a top-100 recruit. He is the nation’s No. 8 offensive tackle and is considering USC and Michigan among his top choices, with USC actively pursuing him. USC’s chances look promising according to On3’s RPM rankings, and they are not slowing down. Additionally, USC is looking to recruit Dan Lanning’s highly sought-after defensive lineman.

Lincoln Riley eyeing Oregon Ducks high prized DL

USC is not only competing with Oregon on the field but also on the recruiting front. The Trojans have already secured Jonas Williams from the Ducks and are actively pursuing Oregon’s 2026 defensive line commit, Tomuhini Topui.

Even Steve Wiltfong feels that there’s a strong chance that Topui might make a switch to Lincoln Riley’s program, as he says, “Tomuhini Topui, a defensive lineman from Mater Dei, is committed to the Ducks but visited USC earlier this month. USC is gaining momentum in his recruitment and has a real shot at flipping him, just as they did with Jonas Williams.”

On the other hand, Oregon is determined not to lose Topui and boasts one of the top defensive line groups in the 2026 class. Both teams are fiercely vying for Topui, but the Trinity League MVP is a key piece of what Dan Lanning and Tony Tuioti are building in the trenches. And they’re making sure they keep Topui in Eugene.

While USC has seen similar recruiting increases, this one stands out. Last year, a significant portion of their class consisted of out-of-state stars, mainly from Georgia. Now, with so many high-end talents being secured, it further fuels Trojans fans’ hopes. With a late-season victory, a deep quarterback roster, and significant recruiting progress, it’s evident that USC is creating something substantial and not just merely accumulating talent.