The USC Trojans just locked in the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026, sending a clear message—they’re coming for the crown. Once a dominant team under Pete Carroll, USC ruled the 2000s with stars like Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, clinching back-to-back national titles in 2003 and 2004. But in recent years, the program has struggled to recapture that magic. Now, as Lincoln Riley enters his fourth season with a 26-14 record, the Trojans are loading up with elite talent. A massive shift is underway, and USC looks primed for a return to CFB’s elite.

On the March 17th episode of the SMI College Football Show, two insiders dissected USC’s impressive recruiting haul. Host Andrew Mize summarized it perfectly, saying, “If we came early and said, ‘Hey, this is the USC squad where they’ve got three of the best quarterbacks in the country, they just recruited these guys,’ everyone would be like, ‘Yeah, that makes sense. Lincoln Riley, quarterback—you know, that’s what they do. That’s what this team is all about.'” Riley’s reputation for developing elite quarterbacks—think Caleb Williams, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield—is well-established. But this time, their recruiting success transcends just the signal-callers.

For 2025, USC’s quarterback room boasts Husan Longstreet and Jayden Maiava, and they’ve already secured Jonas Williams for 2026. However, the talent grab extends beyond the QB position. The “quarterback whisperer” is now bolstering the defense. Andrew put it best, saying, “But when I tell you the top five recruits per PFF of this 2026 class, they’re a five-star defensive lineman, a four-star corner, a four-star D-lineman, a four-star D-lineman, and a four-star cornerback. The top five recruits are all defensive players.” Lincoln Riley isn’t just building for the future; he’s making strategic moves, and with a reported $154K average NIL value, he’s investing heavily in his recruits, potentially solidifying Husan Longstreet’s place within the program.

USC’s 2026 recruiting class is rewriting the narrative. While Riley is known for high-powered offenses, this time, the defense is leading the charge. Recent commitments from four-star defensive lineman Jaimeon Winfield, and other four-star players like RJ Sermons and Madden Riordan underscore this shift.

Despite these achievements, the Trojans aren’t receiving enough credit. Andrew from the SMI College Football Show put it plainly, saying, “I think that this has gone understated for a little bit here. I don’t think people are giving them the credit they deserve.” This defensive surge begs the question: how did USC manage to land such a transformative class?

USC’s best hires: defensive masterminds

Lincoln Riley and Co.’s recruiting dominance is no accident—it’s the work of elite coaches Eric Henderson and Doug Belk. Henderson has strengthened the trenches, while Belk has locked down top talent in the secondary. Their efforts have paid off in a big way, with Belk earning the title of the nation’s No. 1 recruiter and Henderson right behind him at No. 2, per 247Sports. This dynamic duo is changing the game for the Trojans, setting the stage for a powerhouse defense.

Andrew dropped a bold take on USC’s recruiting success, emphasizing the rarity of landing two elite recruiters at once, saying, “Having one guy that’s a top-five recruiter, you feel like, ‘I feel pretty good.’ I think that’s going to be something really special for this program. But now, having two guys that are number one and number two—that’s incredible. Going out, picking out two guys, and then they immediately come to your program and become the number one and number two recruiters in the country—I think that’s huge. I think this is really good news for Southern Cal. And I think this just shows they’ve hit a home run here, and I have full faith that they are going to turn this defense around. We’re going to see some massive changes coming for them shortly.”

Belk has been a game-changer for USC’s recruiting efforts. He played a key role in landing three-star talents Madden Riordan and Joshua Holland, along with four-star DBs Brandon Lockhart and RJ Sermons. But his biggest win? Securing five-star DB Brandon Arrington, a massive addition to the Trojans’ secondary. Meanwhile, Henderson has been just as dominant, and he helped reel in USC’s top recruit, five-star DT Xavier Griffin, along with standout four stars Jaimeon Winfield and Simote Katoanga. So, together, Belk and Henderson are building a defensive powerhouse in L.A.

Right now, it’s very clear that USC isn’t just stacking talent—they’re building something special. Offense and defense are looking good, and Riley’s not slowing down on recruiting. That $154k NIL? He’s putting his money where his mouth is.