USC Recruiting Roundup with WeAreSC's Scott Schrader & Dylan Brashier

Each week me and our impressive intern from USC’s Anneneberg School of Communications hop on Zoom to record our USC Recruiting Roundup. At that time we recap some of the interesting USC storylines of the week for our YouTube audience. 

Our primary focus is on recruiting, but we’ll also touch on other topics each week.

In this USC Recruiting Roundup, WeAreSC’s Scott Schrader and Dylan Brashier discuss:

No. 1 2026 CB Brandon Lockhart Commits to USC

Although the USC defense has struggled the last five to six games, the Trojans remain in control of their own destiny in the final season of the Pac-12 Conference. If USC wins its final three regular season games vs Washington, Oregon and UCLA, the Trojans will play for a conference championship in December. 

Some of the guys USC’s recruiting on defense in the class of 2024 didn’t have the confidence to commit to USC, but many of the younger players still have a significant amount of the recruiting process to experience. A majority of 2025 and 2026 prospects have most of their school visits ahead of them.

While we don’t know if California’s No. 1 2026 prospect Brandon Lockhart from Loyola HS in Los Angeles (CA) will still visit schools, but his commitment to USC today didn’t surprise us. Some of the guys in southern California dream of playing for the Trojans, especially with Lincoln Riley at head coach.

As Marshall Levenson reported. Lockhart announced his commitment to the Trojans on Sunday at pm PT.

Why USC, why now?

It always felty like Lockhart would likely end up at USC regardless of the situation. Unlike most, his mother is a USC alum, he’s from Los Angeles and he grew up a USC fan. So, there was a lot going for the Trojans with Lockhart.

“My mom, she had a big impact knowing she was an alum there,” said Lockhart. “So that definitely played a role. And also just like the life after football part really got to me. You’re only gonna go so far when it comes to football and they really preach life after football….and always having a second plan. And I really liked the conversations they had with me about that. So, that was another big, big part.”

2024 EDGE Naki Tuakoi’s interest in USC

Oakland (Calif.) Fremont Senior four-star linebacker Naki Tuakoi made his first visit to USC back in April. But like USC OT target Justin Tauanuu, he committed to Stanford. But Tuakoi has since announced his decommitment from the Cardinal and opened up his recruitment. USC is a school Tuakoi is “Definitely” considering, but we’re not sure if that will lead to an official visit at some point. That part is being determined.

“I love them,” Tuakoi told On3 about USC. “They are definitely one of my top schools. My meetings with coach Riley and Odom were solid,” said Tuakoi, the No. 202 overall prospect and No. 17 linebacker in the 2024 On300. “They really made me feel wanted. Coach Odom’s position meeting was solid. He’s a great coach and the way he breaks the game down stands out to me.” 

Although he hasn’t set up an official visit to USC yet, that is expected down the road. When asked if USC was a serious option after his Monday decommitment from Stanford, Tuakoi replied, “Definitely.”

USC WR commit Ryan Pellum’s Ballin’

Every week, we highlight some of the stellar performances from the USC commits. And for some context, this one was actually last weekend, but I missed it in the moment, but I felt I had to give him some shine. That would be Long Beach (Cal.) Millikan wide receiver Ryan Pellum, who put up some crazy numbers last weekend against Compton High. 

Pellum has had some strong performances this season, his most recent was easily his best. 

The USC commit hauled in six passes, but managed to rack up 200 receiving yards and found the end zone four times. 

His 200 yards is his highest output of the season, and the second highest of his career. His four touchdowns set a new career record, breaking his former personal best of three touchdowns. 

On the season now, Pellum has caught 47 passes for 676 yards and nine touchdowns. He is averaging 14.4 yards per reception in his senior season. He has also added 103 yards and one more touchdown in the running game. 

The 5-foot-11, 169-pound pass-catcher is the No. 127 overall prospect and No. 23 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 14 player in California.