No.1 2026 CB Brandon Lockhart commits to USC

Elite 2026 cornerback Brandon Lockhart of Los Angeles (CA) Loyola High announced his commitment to USC Sunday afternoon.

The 6-foot-3, 170 pounder chose the Trojans over Penn State and Oregon.

“It started off with the coaching staff. DB coach Donte is a great coach and we have a great relationship, same with coach Riley. They make me feel like I’m at home every time I go to a game or just go up to visit. My mom is an alumni from USC so it’s always played a role in my life on going to USC and then staying at home also played a big role. Being able to play in a high level of football and still be home where my family is was really big to me.”

His relationship with the coaching staff and their plan for him played a role in his decision as well.

“My relationship is great with the coaching staff. I’m closest with Coach Donte. The first time I met coach he let me know right away that I’m family. Not just talks about football but life after football, which means a lot to me and my parents knowing I have a future beyond football planned out and also planning out how I’m going to be a big asset to the defense primarily just as a corner.”

The Golden State defensive back joins coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans 2026 class. He is accompanied by the No. 1 player in 2026 in quarterback Julian Lewis.

Brandon Lockhart Recruiting Profile

Lockhart ranks as the No. 11 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 1 cornerback and the No. 1 player in California.

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $88K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.