The USC Trojans recently showcased their knack for winning the recruiting game by securing Mark Bowman, a five-star tight end for the 2026 class. This coup followed a viral social media post from the USC football program that lit up the internet, grabbing the attention of fans and recruits alike.
That post, paired with the subsequent commitment of Bowman, has sparked widespread praise for the Trojans’ coaching staff. Fans are buzzing, with many insisting the staff’s efforts warrant a raise.
Fans React to USC’s Troll, Commitment From Mark Bowman
Days before Bowman pledged to USC, the football program dropped a social media post that exploded online. The post featured a clip from the movie “Anchorman,” with Ron Burgundy (played by Will Ferrell) delivering a dramatic “breaking news” announcement.
At the end of the clip, Burgundy does a cannonball into a pool, a sly nod to a viral recruiting video of Dan Lanning, the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, who did a cannonball into a pool with a recruit, 2026 EDGE Richard Wesley, a top-five player in California. Adding salt to the wounds, the recruit later decommitted, prompting USC to chime in on the matter with their video:
✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️ pic.twitter.com/naiKnE4wZm
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) May 30, 2025
While the social media troll poked fun at Lanning and the Ducks, it seemingly served a second purpose: to hint at the team landing a commitment from Bowman.
The timing was impeccable, coming just ahead of Bowman’s decision, and it amplified USC’s recruiting momentum. Programs today know that a strong digital presence can sway top talent, and this viral moment proved USC has mastered the art of recruiting.
The USC fanbase erupted with joy after the viral post and Bowman’s commitment made headlines. Social media lit up with comments like, “This staff deserves a raise,” reflecting the excitement over the program’s direction.
Another fan gushed, “USC with kill shot.”
USC with the kill shot 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/vr22fNH6B8
— Jermaine (@CurtisJermaine2) May 30, 2025
“As a husky fan I approve of this message,” said another user on X.
“Next level social media. Nice troll,” said one more fan.
One more fan predicted what was next: “Five emojis for a 5 star mark Bowman?”
Five emojis for a 5 star mark Bowman?
— Justin (@justin323032) May 30, 2025
Bowman is no ordinary recruit. Hailing from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., he stands at 6’5” and 235 pounds, a physical specimen tailor-made for the tight end position. Recruiting services rank him as the No. 1 tight end in the 2026 class and a top-10 overall prospect, a testament to his rare blend of size, speed, and skill.
His tape projects a player who can stretch defenses with his receiving ability while also anchoring the line as a blocker. Mater Dei, a national powerhouse, has produced stars like Matt Leinart and Bryce Young, and Bowman fits that mold too. USC outmaneuvered heavyweights like Texas and Georgia for his commitment, a win that signals the Trojans’ intent to build a championship-caliber roster.
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