Two USC commitments named five-star prospects in latest recruiting rankings update

USC comes into the day holding the nation’s No. 2 football recruiting class in 2026, led by two of the country’s best prospects in linebacker Xavier Griffin and cornerback RJ Sermons. The duo have consistently been ranked among the top players in the rising senior class and on Monday got some very well-deserved recognition.

Both received five-star status in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. That also makes the Trojans one of only two schools with multiple five-star commitments, joining LSU, Oregon and Ohio State.

In total, 14 of the nation’s five-stars are currently pledged to a school after On3’s latest update expanded the list to 32 for the first time in this cycle. Griffin, who hails from Gainesville (Ga.), checks in as the country’s No. 24 overall recruit, while Sermons — from nearby Rancho Cucamonga — has been tabbed as the No. 26 prospect nationally.

They headline a Trojans class that includes four other top-100 recruits and 12 blue-chippers overall, the most of any class in the nation. Lincoln Riley and Co. already have 23 commitments in the cycle, but are looking at some other big fish who currently stand as five-stars. Quarterback Ryder Lyons, cornerback Brandon Arrington, and Oregon offensive tackle pledge Kodi Greene are all major USC targets; and all hail from the state of California, which has six five-stars and 14 top-100 recruits in this class.

USC will have its hands full trying to keep those recruits home, but has already made major in-roads inside the state this year. Of the Trojans’ 23 pledges, 14 come from California after they only signed five in the 2025 class. Expect that number to rise by the time this cycle is complete next January.

Breaking down the Trojans’ two five-star commits

As for the two five-stars currently on board with Riley and Co., they’ve been two of the most coveted prospects in the country for some time. And this offseason, they’ve shown why. Griffin was a top underclassman performer in January’s Navy All-American Bowl, drawing praise from On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power.

“USC commit Xavier Griffin and Tyler Atkinson had some nice moments on Wednesday,” Power wrote. “Griffin flashed during the East’s morning practice.”

Despite dealing with injuries in 2024, he racked up 43 tackles and six sacks, and is primed for a huge senior year. As a sophomore, he was named the Georgia Region 8-6A first-team selection, finishing with 54 tackles and 15 sacks.

Lockhart, meanwhile was a major standout during Week 2 of the Overtime OT7 league — a 7v7 competition running through the spring and summer.

“Lockhart locked down his side of the field on Sunday,” Power wrote. “The On300 prospect first came down with a strong pass breakup in the end zone, turning his head and finding the ball en route to making a play. He later came down with one of the more impressive picks we saw on the day, tracking and coming down with the the football in a crowd while defending a vertical route. The USC pledge’s ball skills and awareness in coverage stood out.”

He finished his junior campaign with 42 tackles, 11 pass breakups and five interceptions.