USC completes flip of 4-star DL Tomuhini Topui

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui has committed to USC just days after decommitting from Oregon.

He’s the second blue-chipper to flip from the Ducks to USC this cycle, joining Frankfort Heights (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East four-star quarterback Jonas Williams. Topui visited the Trojans last Tuesday to see spring practice.

Topui is the No. 154 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 15 defensive lineman and No. 20 recruit in the state of California.

The Trojans were already surging for Topui earlier in the year while he was still pledged to Oregon. Upon his decommitment, Lincoln Riley and Co. began to trend in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine and have now landed the 6-foot-2, 330-pounder’s commitment.

He’s continued to return to campus and got another good look at the in-state Big Ten program last week before officially jumping in the mix.

“Growing up, being from L.A. that’s always been my dream school and stuff,” Topui said of USC in an interview with Scoop Duck’s Max Torres on March 12. “Especially now with Coach (Shaun) Nua, he’s always been talking to me. It’s down the street, so I might as well just take a couple visits there, see what they’re talking about. Every time I go down there it’s great vibes, picking up family vibes.”

As a junior for Mater Dei, the nation’s No. 1 high school football program in 2024, Topui collected 42 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and an interception, per MaxPreps. The Monarchs went undefeated last season and finished atop the On3 Composite Rankings.

Trojans add another big piece to elite recruiting class

Topui becomes commit No. 18 for head coach Lincoln Riley and Co. in a class that continues to push for the top spot in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Of the 18 commits, 11 are four-stars.

The class now features three blue-chip D-linemen, with Topui flanking Richardson (Texas) four-star Jaimeon Winfield and Chicago Mount Carmel four-star Braeden Jones.

Gainesville (Ga.) four-star linebacker Xavier Griffin continues to headline as the No. 23 prospect, No. 2 LB and No. 3 player in the Peach State. The elite in-state cornerback duo of Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) four-star CB RJ Sermons and Los Angeles Loyola four-star CB Brandon Lockhart join Griffin at the top of the class. Sermons is the No. 26 recruit nationally, while Lockhart checks in at No. 52.

Williams flipped from Oregon to USC on Feb. 21 and is currently the No. 8 QB in the cycle. Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Catholic four-star EDGE Simote Katoanga pledged two days later and is also a top-100 recruit. Katoanga’s teammate, four-star wide receiver Trent Mosely, pledged on March 11 and is a top-200 recruit.

Painesville (Ohio) Harvey four-star running back Shahn Alston is the No. 12 burner in the cycle and committed in January. Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon four-star interior offensive lineman Esun Tafa also committed on March 11. Other commits in the class include Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco three-star athlete Joshua Holland, Los Alamitos (Calif.) Sierra Canyon three-star wide receiver Ja’Myron Baker, Pasadena (Calif.) Sierra Canyon three-star athlete Madden Riordan and others.