Notre Dame fans are feeling the sting after losing top recruit Honor Fa’alave-Johnson to their storied rivals, USC. But the Trojans didn’t just celebrate landing the 5-star athlete-they added a little extra spice to the rivalry.
USC's social media team posted a cheeky video showing someone spray painting grass red, with the words "guess the grass wasn't greener" flashing on the screen. The not-so-subtle jab seemed aimed at the Fighting Irish, given their strong association with the color green.
For Notre Dame supporters, the message was clear, and it didn’t sit well. The defensive back, who grew up playing high school football near USC, chose the Trojans over Notre Dame, Oregon, and others. While the Irish have historically managed to lure talent from across the country, this recruitment battle was a tough one given the proximity factor.
Despite the setback, Notre Dame is still well-positioned to secure top recruits for the 2027 class, particularly in the defensive backfield. This makes USC's boastful post even more puzzling. It’s a bold move considering the ongoing and future recruiting battles where fortunes can quickly change.
Interestingly, Oregon fans also believe the post was a dig at them. Regardless of the intended target, the message was clear: USC is reveling in its recruiting victory.
However, they might want to tread carefully. The Trojans have struggled on the field against both Notre Dame and Oregon, with the Irish winning the last three matchups and the Ducks taking the last four.
As the recruiting wars continue, USC will need to back up their online bravado with performances on the field. Otherwise, they risk more than just losing recruits-they could lose face in this heated rivalry.