To regain national prominence, USC must embrace the Southeast.
The Trojans have not been shy about going to the most valuable parts of the country for elite talent, but here lies the challenge facing USC itself.
This area is bound to be a big focus for the Trojans’ future success, but after a lot of work early on, when those players ultimately transfer to schools closer to home, many There will be heartache and heartbreak.
This recruitment cycle was particularly difficult.
11 of USC’s 12 terminations this cycle have come from players in the Southeast, including players who have made a real impact, including a five-star quarterback. julian lewis The Carrollton, Ga., native transferred from the Trojans to Colorado after being held for more than a year.
If all of these early commitments stick with USC, the Trojans will definitely have a runaway No. 1 class in the country.
Lewis, defensive linemen Justus Terry and Isaiah Gibson (from Manchester, Ga., and Warner Robins, Ga., respectively), and Hilton Stubbs from Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin are all five-star prospects.
Defensive backs Anquon Fegans from Thompson at Alabaster (Alabama), Shamar Arnoux from Carrollton and Dominique Kelly from IMG Academy in Bradenton (Fla.) all previously committed to the Trojans. Ta.
Ty Jackson, a four-star linebacker from Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge, transferred from the University of Southern California to Florida in recent days. Dawn Morris, a four-star running back from Murfreesboro, Oakland (Tennessee), committed to Tennessee after a long relationship. Card Smith, a four-star offensive lineman from Mobile (Alabama) Williamson, also withdrew his commitment to USC and could potentially head to Colorado as well.
Four-star defensive back Jett White was a very early commitment from USC, but then left Southern California for Miami (Fla.) Edison and restarted his recruitment.
The only local prospect in the 2025 class to decommit to USC was Christian four-star defensive end Hayden Lowe of Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks. Rumor has it that he moved to Miami due to a big contract with the NIL, among other things.
The most incredible thing after all of these exiles and closing out the regular season with a 6-5 record against Notre Dame is that USC still has the No. 15 class in the nation and is on the rise. That’s better than Penn State, Florida. A team that turned over many top prospects and many other playoff candidates.
And the Trojans may not be finished yet. Five-star defensive lineman Jakeem Stewart is at the top of USC’s recruiting list with one week remaining. USC is acquiring four-star linebacker Madden Faraimo. And the Trojans still lead the Lions in 2026 with five-star QB Ryder from Folsom, Calif.
Of course, there may still be some last-minute defectors.
The University of Southern California still has Stephen Miller, a four-star athlete from Greene County, Greensboro, Ga., and Romello Ison, a three-star receiver from Gaithersburg, Md., Watkins Mill, Virginia. They are working to retain players like Dinwiddie and three-star running back Harry Dalton. .
This recruiting cycle has been extremely tough for the University of Southern California. It may not be over yet.
