USC lands commitment from coveted offensive lineman Kannon Smith

Denver (Colo.) Valor Christian three-star offensive lineman Kannon Smith has committed to USC after visiting the Trojans over the weekend, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Smith chose Lincoln Riley and Co. over reported offers from Michigan, Penn State, UCLA, Colorado State and more. He had already locked in an official visit for the summer, but after visiting in February and then again this weekend, he was ready to put his name on the commitment list.

“The environment on campus is great,” Smith told On3’s Steve Wiltfong in February. “There is an expectation there and the coaches are looking to win. What makes me excited to play there would be the new facilities I could utilize to make myself the best player I could.

… USC stands out because of the legacy there. A blue-blood program willing to go to work.”

The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder is the No. 549 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. 47 interior offensive lineman and No. 5 recruit in the Centennial State.

Smith joins a Trojans class that currently sits at No. 2 nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. USC has loaded up early in this cycle, taking 23 commitments before the huge rush of pledges that come during the summer.

The group includes two five-stars — LB Xavier Griffin and RJ Sermons — as well as four other top-100 prospects and 12 blue-chippers overall.