How Did USC Build No. 1 Recruiting Class in the Country? Commits Reveal Their Top Reasons For Flocking to Southern Cal

USC fans, who have grown tired of seeing their team consistently stuck in recruiting purgatory, finally have a reason to celebrate. The Trojans have climbed to the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. There’s no doubt that this massive transformation is the result of a major cultural shift under head coach Lincoln Riley and GM Chad Bowden.

Did they introduce something entirely new? According to four-star cornerback Brandon Lockhart, this success didn’t come from reinventing USC’s recruiting approach. The secret is actually going back to USC’s old recruiting culture.

Trojans Recruits Share Their Reasons for Picking USC Over Everyone Else

The Trojans have gone well beyond 27 commitments in their recruiting class, making it safe to assume that this group represents a strong sample of how they will finish.

Not only that, but with this massive number of commitments, they have secured their place as the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class of 2026. And we all know this is just the beginning, with more surprises likely on the way.

This massive rise didn’t happen overnight. Just a year ago, USC wasn’t even close to the top. But things changed quickly under head coach Lincoln Riley and newly appointed general manager Chad Bowden. Together, they rebuilt USC’s recruiting strategy from the ground up.

The program reworked its recruiting approach by focusing on building stronger relationships with recruits and their families, making USC feel like home again.

Cornerback Brandon Lockhart summed it up well when he said, “The culture is changing back to the old one,” highlighting a return to a successful foundation.

USC has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. The Trojans are on fire with 27 commitments this cycle.

What has changed?

“The culture is changing back to the old one,” USC 4-star CB commit Brandon Lockhart said.

Story: https://t.co/4BNEmdGf9X (On3+) pic.twitter.com/Qys9Caercl

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) May 5, 2025

Lockhart, who has become a key spokesperson for the program since joining, clearly feels that connection too. 

“USC is my home school! They’ll always have my attention. That makes me feel like I’m already one of them,” he said about the program.

Speaking about USC’s rise to No. 1, he also told a fan on Twitter, “I think they’re turning a huge corner now. They’re getting guys from out of state.”

Every recruit who has committed to USC seems to share that same feeling about the culture and environment.

Five-star prospect Xavier Griffin said, “I felt that I’m the biggest priority at USC. The defensive scheme that they are building is world-class.” This shows how USC makes each recruit feel valued, using a unique and personal approach for everyone.

Cornerback RJ Sermons, one of the more recent additions to the class, added, “I feel like USC is the best place for me, my family, and my future. I like the authenticity from everybody. They kept it real the whole time and made it known that I am a priority to them.”

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What’s happening in USC’s recruiting culture now feels familiar. It’s USC going back to its roots, prioritizing people over pitch. And with that return, they’ve climbed from outside the top 15 to the very top of the nation.