USC head coach Lincoln Riley heads into a pivotal season, facing both pressure and high expectations. After a challenging third year, Riley is tasked with refining his recruiting strategy to validate his $88 million contract.
With USC now competing in the Big 10, strategic decisions are more crucial than ever. USC’s new general manager, Chad Bowden, has embraced a recruiting focus on Southern California talent, mirroring Pete Carroll’s successful model. Bowden openly commended Riley for recruiting expertise.
USC GM Chad Bowden Praises Lincoln Riley for His Recruiting Mastery
High expectations and constant scrutiny have marked Riley’s tenure at USC. By balancing those demands, Riley continues to make strategic moves in coaching and recruiting. USC general manager Chad Bowden recently praised Riley’s exceptional ability in this area.
“He is, as a recruiter, the best I’ve ever been around,” Bowden stated. “There’s two elements of recruiting. This is the first head coach I’ve been around who evaluates (prospects). So when I say recruiting, this is a guy who holistically can do it all.”
USC GM Chad Bowden on HC Lincoln Riley:
“He is, as a recruiter, the best I’ve ever been around. There’s two elements of recruiting. This is the first head coach I’ve been around who evaluates (prospects). So when I say recruiting, this is a guy who wholistically can do it all.”
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) March 3, 2025
Since joining USC, Bowden has focused on the recruiting strategy he applied at Notre Dame but now utilizes for USC’s hometown advantage. Bowden has emphasized the strength of the state’s upcoming talent pool, particularly the 2026 class.
“I think the ’26 class is the best class that California has had in two decades,” Bowden told reporters. “If you look through it, and you really study what those classes look like, at least the top, probably 30, 40 players in the state. This is the best class in two decades, and I think there’s plenty of players up front.”
Bowden also highlighted USC’s rich tradition of California-born talent thriving with the Trojans.
“If you look at it, there have been plenty of players up front that have come from California, that have been incredibly successful, whether it’s at USC or other places. We’ve just got to continue to identify, evaluate, recruit and be on the right ones, and we will,” Bowden said.
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Bowden’s recruiting efforts have already paid off. Four-star defensive lineman Simote Katoanga, previously a priority target for Bowden at Notre Dame, is now a major focus for USC.
“I think with the additions of Chad Bowden and other staff members, it feels like the whole school is locked in with one goal in mind — to win the national championship,” Katoanga told 247Sports.
With USC’s 2026 class ranked No. 2 nationally by On3 and No. 1 by 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, the Trojans are building momentum.
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