USC Trojans land commitment from nation's No. 1 TE Mark Bowman

The On3 Industry’s No. 1 ranked tight end Mark Bowman has abruptly shut down his recruitment and committed to local USC.

A five-star prospect out of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Bowman chose to play for the Trojans over Alabama, Georgia, Texas and a slew of others.

From proximity to home, program prestige and NIL opportunities, USC separated over the last couple weeks and now adds Bowman to a class that previously ranked No. 2 in the country.

“We couldn’t be more excited,” Bowman’s father Kirk said. “Excited he’s in a place in Southern California he loves. The school from a academic standpoint, it’s a top university, the alumni network, the power and influence checks all the boxes. It’s the Big Ten, has a lot of family here, grandfather is a huge influence on him, it checks all the boxes and amazing how it all came together.”

Bowman ranks as the nation’s No. 15 prospect regardless of position. He also strongly considered Oregon, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Miami among others. On3 is hearing Bowman is tracking towards landing one of the top NIL deals in the country in this 2026 cycle, if not the biggest one to date.

Bowman also recently spoke highly of the Trojans to On3’s Chad Simmons.

“It is so different with USC now. It has changed a lot over the last year and since they made changes. They have been recruiting much harder the last few months. It is every day with USC now, and that has changed things for me with them. I like what the staff is doing, their energy and they are close to home too.”

A link to the USC 2026 recruiting class with Bowman in the fold.

Scouting new USC commit Mark Bowman

On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power gives analysis on the Trojans landing another top target.

”Mark Bowman is the best route-running tight end prospect I’ve evaluated to this point in my career. He has elite change of direction which allows him to effortlessly create separation within his routes. We’ve had a chance to see Bowman in person a bunch over the past two years and he’s impressed in every setting. He has the ability to threaten all levels of the field as a pass catcher.

“Bowman has added good weight this offseason and is a chiseled 6-foot-4.5, 230-plus pounds. He’s also an active, physical blocker and has the upside of being an every down tight end who can play in-line or flexed out.”

We expect Bowman to immediately contribute for the Trojans.

”Bowman is a massive get for Lincoln Riley and the Trojans. He projects as an offensive weapon in Riley’s scheme and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make an instant impact, despite reclassifying.”