After a 7-6 season in 2024, USC’s head coach, Lincoln Riley, faced much criticism. However, this offseason, Riley has flipped the script and is all set to clear his name. The Trojans now boast the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026, a feat that was made possible by Riley and his staff’s strategic hires, a big NIL operation, and a renewed belief in the program’s direction.
With USC’s upward climb, Riley reveals that players are not only recognizing their growth but also believing that what the program promises them is true, which makes them want to join a team that has the potential to climb to the peak and unlock their potential under some of the best coaches the country has to offer.
Lincoln Riley’s Leadership Bringing USC All The Way To The Top
Riley’s first three years at USC were a grind, marked by a 15-11 record over the past two seasons and a program playing catch-up. The turning point came this offseason with the hiring of Notre Dame’s former recruiting guru, USC’s Chad Bowden, as general manager. Bowden’s arrival was a catalyst for a shift.
His impact was immediate, helping secure 17 in-state commits, including eight from Southern California, for the 2026 class. Analysts are calling it “the best class California has had in two decades.”
“We were very behind…. More recruits want to come here because they see what’s happening, and they see that USC is taking this seriously. This is not one of those things where it’s a bunch of hollow promises.” Riley shared about the recruiting drive to On3.
USC has the No. 1 recruiting class in 2026. That’s come together with a top NIL budget. But it’s taken Lincoln Riley 3 years to get here, he tells @On3sports.
“We were very behind. … More recruits want to come here because they see what’s happening, and they see that USC is… pic.twitter.com/S7SihuQJBC
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) June 4, 2025
When Riley arrived in 2022, USC’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) infrastructure was nonexistent. However, the House of Victory NIL collective, launched in April 2023 under Spencer Harris, changed that.
With one of college football’s strongest NIL war chests, USC capitalized on the delayed House v. NCAA settlement to outmaneuver rivals. This financial clout helped them land five-star tight end Mark Bowman, who chose USC over Georgia and Texas, marking the Trojans’ first five-star commit of the 2026 cycle. USC’s 2026 class, with 16 four-star commits and Bowman’s five-star pledge, leads the nation with 294.78 points, well ahead of No. 2 Notre Dame.
The 2024 season exposed many gaps in the offensive line and defensive inconsistencies. Riley’s hires, such as former NFL coordinator Rob Ryan as linebackers coach, also look forward to plugging those gaps.
KEEP READING: USC HC Lincoln Riley Makes Feelings Clear on 5-Star QB Husan Longstreet’s Work Ethic: ‘Doesn’t Have a Million Other Interests’
The No. 1 recruiting class, strengthened by Bowden’s expertise and a top-tier NIL operation, has USC back in the conversations of elite teams of College Football. With Maiava and Longstreet leading the offense and a defense all set for growth, USC is building the right momentum. Whether this translates to wins in 2025 remains to be seen, but Riley’s offseason moves have silenced doubters, for now.
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