USC is definitely on the upswing. Lincoln Riley’s pulling out all the stops for the 2026 recruiting class, locking down top-tier California talent, and building something special. Sure, last season’s 7-6 record wasn’t ideal, but the big picture is starting to come into focus. The latest win? A huge in-state commitment from a game-changing edge rusher, and it’s looking like he might be bringing some more Cali kids with him. When he announced his decision, he said, “I chose USC because I want to be a part of the change and revival. I want to be the team that inspires California kids to stay home and play for the Cardinal and Gold.” Hard to ask for a better endorsement than that.

That prized edge rusher is Simote Katoanga, a 6’5, 250lb powerhouse. He chose USC over big-time programs like Ohio State and Notre Dame, which says a lot. Katoanga is the 11th commit in Lincoln Riley’s 2026 class, and he’s the fifth to land inside On3 Industry’s Top 100 rankings. But it’s not just about his individual talent. The Santa Margarita Catholic standout is already working hard to bring his crew along with him. He’s got his sights set on Trent Mosley and Talanoa Ili, making it clear he wants them to join him in building something big at USC.

As if that wasn’t enough momentum, USC is also primed to land Mater Dei’s star, Mark Bowman. On February 28, LAFB Network dropped a big recruiting intel on USC—“#1 TE in the 2026 class, Mark Bowman, is trending towards USC! The Mater Dei standout and Cali native could be the next big weapon for the Trojans.” At 6’5, 225 pounds, he’s the nightmare every offense dreams of having. 

Mark Bowman has the size to dominate linebackers, the speed to burn safeties, and the versatility to line up anywhere in the field. After reclassifying from the 2027 class, he quickly emerged as the top target for elite programs in the country. Bowman is set to check out Texas on June 6, Georgia on June 13, USC on June 17, and wrap up his cross-country tour at Oregon on June 20. With over 30 offers on the table, the recruiting battle is heating up. According to On3’s prediction, Riley’s team holds a slight edge with a 27.9% chance of landing the Mater Dei standout, while Lanning’s Oregon sits at 24.4%. But if the buzz is real, the Trojans might have the inside track to keep this California kid home.

Another key win by Lincoln Riley is flipping 4-star QB Jonas Williams from Oregon. On3 JD Pickell couldn’t retain his optimism for USC, saying, “The bulk of this class is from Southern California…You got the quarterback from the team in the Big Ten you’re trying to get through to go win the conference.” This flip is a statement. The QB position is the foundation of any great recruiting class. But the Trojans are winning on defense too. 

Lincoln Riley is building the defense

It’s not just the offense getting a boost. USC is making major moves on the defensive side. Despite his commitment to LSU, the Trojans remain in the mix for Richard Anderson, the No. 1 DL in the class. The Trojans are also in a prime position with On300 standouts like Titan Davis, Kevin Ford, and Jaimeon Winfield, among others.

In the secondary, Lincoln Riley already boasts commitments from On3’s No. 1 CB RJ Sermons and No. 6 CB Brandon Lockhart, with more elite names like Davon Benjamin and Brandon Arrington still in play. 

With spring visits coming up and top prospects locking in their decisions, USC is one of the hottest recruiting names right now. Only Oregon remains ahead of them to boast the No. 1 recruiting class in 2026. Lincoln Riley’s style is simple yet effective—build from within, keep elite California talent at home, and then expand the footprint nationally. 

So far, so good. If things keep trending this way, don’t be surprised if Lincoln Riley brings USC back into the national championship conversation.