“Who we are? There’s no identity. We have good players. Need to recruit harder. As frustrated as anyone. Want to see USC back to being a contender. Don’t think we are close at the moment.” That’s the blunt truth bomb dropped by former USC QB Matt Leinart after a rough 7-6 season. If Lincoln Riley’s 2024 season had any bright spots, the victory over Notre Dame was likely it. However, fan sentiment turned against Riley, and patience was wearing thin.

Heading into his third season in 2025, Riley began building his recruiting class with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. He brought in accomplished recruiters Eric Henderson and secondary coach Doug Belk to travel the country and identify top talent in overlooked areas.

While the 2025 class was ranked 15th nationally, the 2026 class is trending toward a top ranking and currently sits second. Nevertheless, a significant prospect appears to be slipping from Riley’s grasp.

That prospect is Malakai Lee, a highly regarded offensive tackle who holds a 4-star rating on On3 with a score of 92.37. Standing at 6 ft 7 in and weighing approximately 310 lb, he is considered one of the premier offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 class. According to a recent update from Tim Watts, lead publisher of ‘Bama Online,’ Lee visited Alabama’s campus.

Watts reported: “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. And you know with Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, Courtney Morgan (GM) and Coach Kap (Kapilovic), the offensive line is a priority for Alabama in every class.” Their 2025 haul is already looking beefy with the addition of Jackson Lloyd—a four-star from Cali—and Michael Carroll, a legit five-star beast on the O-line from IMG.

Alabama is definitely bringing the heat for this recruit, especially with a question mark hanging over their offensive line depth for the 2026 class beyond Chris Booker (IOL). Furthermore, Lee possesses tremendous potential as an offensive lineman. His film shows fluid movement, and his footwork and balance appear well-suited to support his substantial frame. He has the versatility to play on either side of the line, and his background as a basketball player provides him with agility and reach that are exceptional among offensive tackles in his class.

Malakai Lee narrows down his college list

Malakai Lee currently holds 19 offers, with major programs such as Michigan, Alabama, BYU, and Georgia vying for his commitment. A player from Kamehameha High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, proximity does not seem to be a primary factor in his decision (with the possible exception of USC). The key influences will be the effort and relationships established by the head coaches.

Lee spoke to On3 about his narrowed-down list of colleges, which includes USC, Georgia, Alabama, BYU, Texas, and Michigan. “I narrowed down my choices by looking at some of the relationships I’ve built with the coaches and staff and whether I can see myself playing in that program. I realize Hawaii is not easy to travel to and so I am grateful to all the coaches that flew out here to meet with me and my family.”

USC’s proximity to Hawaii might be a factor in their favor. However, in the competitive world of recruiting, powerhouses like Georgia, Texas, and Alabama are formidable contenders. Nevertheless, if On3’s probability ratings are accurate, USC is currently ranked first at 92%, followed by Michigan at 5.2%, and then Alabama and Georgia with less than 1% probability each.

Lee has visited Michigan the most times (four), followed by the Trojans (two). His visit to Alabama and the time spent there will be crucial in determining whether Kalen DeBoer can convince the prospect to commit.