The USC Trojans are charging toward the 2025 season with a solid roster, thanks to masterclass recruiting. With 27 commitments already secured, including 16 four-star prospects and five-star tight end Mark Bowman, this success comes thanks to a powerhouse coaching staff.
Four assistants, Eric Henderson, Doug Belk, Zach Hanson, and Chad Savage, are ranked among 247Sports’ top 10 national recruiters at the time of this writing. This feat is currently unmatched by other programs. As December’s Early National Signing Period creeps closer for the 2026 class, the Trojans’ recruiting masterclass is making headlines.
USC Building Elite Class With Four Of The Nation’s Top Recruiters
USC’s impressive recruiting this season is no accident. Defensive line coach Eric Henderson (No. 2) and secondary coach Doug Belk (No. 3) trail only Ohio State’s Brian Hartline in 247Sports’ recruiter rankings. Offensive line coach Zach Hanson (No. 6) and tight ends coach Chad Savage (No. 10) round out USC’s dominance in the top 10.
Henderson, alongside defensive ends coach Shaun Nua, has fortified USC’s defensive line with four-star commits Jaimeon Winfield, Tomuhini Topui, Simote Katoanga, and Braeden Jones. Henderson also secured five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, ranked No. 15 nationally by 247Sports.
Belk’s impact in the secondary is equally impressive, landing four-star cornerbacks Elbert Hill, Brandon Lockhart, and RJ Sermons, who reclassified to join the 2025 class. USC remains in the hunt for five-star athlete Brandon Arrington and four-star safety Davon Benjamin, with five-star safety Jett Washington also considering the Trojans.
On offense, Hanson and Savage are reshaping USC’s future. Hanson’s offensive line class features four-star tackle Keenyi Pepe, the No. 5 offensive tackle prospect, alongside Esun Tafa and Kannon Smith.
The No. 1 tight end in the 2026 class, Mark Bowman, committed to USC, and the Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei prospect can make an impact right away for the Trojans.@BlairAngulo details it’s possible: (VIP)https://t.co/sqwhlfec2w
— USC Trojans Football (@uscfootball) May 31, 2025
Savage, credited as the primary recruiter for five-star tight end Mark Bowman, the second-overall TE in the class, has also secured four-star receivers Trent Mosley and Luc Weaver. These commitments strengthen USC’s Mater Dei pipeline, with Topui and four-star EDGE Shaun Scott also hailing from California.
Lincoln Riley’s guidance, paired with general manager Chad Bowden’s strategic hires, has revitalized USC’s roster.
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The Trojans’ 2026 class, with an average player rating of 91.64, outshines rivals like Clemson and Penn State. The Trojans’ $123,000 average NIL valuation per player is among the Big Ten’s highest.
In the end, USC’s 2026 recruiting class, headlined by stars like Bowman and Griffin, reflects a program reaching its peak. With Henderson, Belk, Hanson, and Savage leading the charge, the Trojans have built a class that blends quality and quantity. With Riley’s coaching and a stuffed roster, USC may manage to make a deep run this season.
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