Expanded recruiting footprint paying dividends for Lincoln Riley at USC

Until Sunday, Carrollton (Ga.) five-star quarterback Julian Lewis was the lone commit in USC’s 2025 recruiting class. In the span of 24 hours, however, he was flanked by four additional pledges.

Manchester (Ga.) five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry, a top-10 recruit, kicked things off by flipping to the Trojans from USC early Sunday morning. He was soon followed by Warner Robins (Ga.) four-star EDGE Isaiah Gibson, a top-30 prospect.

That night, Jacksonville Mandarin four-star safety and top-75 recruit Hylton Stubbs joined the fold, as did Austin (Texas) Lake Travis three-star DL Gus Cordova. It took just one day for USC to vault to No. 3 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

The impressive string of commitments seemingly came out of nowhere for Lincoln Riley and his staff, but it was the result of a major recruiting weekend on campus. What’s even more impressive for the Trojans, according to On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power, is where these recruits are located.

“I think it’s extremely notable that USC is leaving the West Coast to compile this top talent early on in their foundation in the 2025 cycle,” Power said. “They’re expanding their footprint and recruiting nationally.”

The five commits in the class hail from either Georgia, Florida or Texas. The Trojans are yet to add an in-state recruit to the mix, and while there are plenty of blue-chippers in the Golden State, many of the best in the nation are based in SEC country.

Last cycle, USC signed eight recruits from the aforementioned three states. Riley is wasting no time trying to pluck talent from across the country this time around.

“When you look at USC and Lincoln Riley’s tenure there, they’re trying to compete at the highest level. They’re gunning for national championships and they’re chasing the best players,” Power said. “I think when you look at the best players at these premium positions in 2025, I think they’re going after them. The state of Georgia is loaded, there’s always top players in Texas, Florida. I think it’s a smart strategy and we’ll see if they can sustain it.”

Recruiting the trenches a top priority for the Trojans

USC added commitments from the No. 2 DL and No. 2 EDGE in the On3 Industry Rankings on Sunday. Terry, Gibson and Cordova build an impressive backbone for recruiting on the defensive side of the ball this cycle.

At the end of the 2024 cycle, the Trojans added commitments from three D-linemen from December to February, including four-stars Jide Abasiri and Carlon Jones. Heavily recruiting the position has not taken a back seat so far in the class of 2025 — a good sign for DL coach Eric Henderson and the future of USC recruiting this year.

“They pivoted to this late last cycle and I think it’s something that we’ve seen continue, carry on early in 2025. Now, obviously this comes with the massive caveat that they have to hold these guys,” Power said. “They’re not the home team here, given the proximity these prospects are going to have to travel across the country to visit USC. But, they’re going after the big fish and they’re landing them early on.”