The USC Trojans are making waves in the 2027 recruiting class with commitments from two standout five-star recruits. Joining an elite group of programs, USC is among eight teams boasting multiple five-star commitments. This list includes powerhouses like Ohio State, Miami, Texas, Georgia, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame.
Leading the charge for USC is athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, hailing from San Diego, California. At 6-foot and 180 pounds, Fa’alave-Johnson is ranked as the top athlete and 13th overall player in the 2027 class according to Rivals. His versatility on the field makes him a prized asset for the Trojans.
Joining him is Mekai Brown, a formidable 6-foot-6, 235-pound edge rusher from Greenwich, Connecticut. Brown's prowess on the defensive line has earned him the rank of fourth among edge rushers and 22nd overall in the class of 2027.
These two dynamic athletes are part of USC's 14 total commitments for the 2027 recruiting cycle, which also includes a solid group of seven four-star recruits. Among them, Quentin Hale, a wide receiver also from San Diego, stands out with his high ratings.
Rivals places USC's recruiting class at No. 10 nationally and third in the Big Ten, trailing only Ohio State and Oregon. These programs have been neck and neck in recruiting rankings recently, with Ohio State at No. 8 and Oregon at No. 9 for 2027.
Last year, USC topped the recruiting charts, while Ohio State and Oregon followed closely at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Both Ohio State and Oregon have been consistent powerhouses, each making the last two College Football Playoffs, with Ohio State clinching the national title in 2024.
USC, however, is striving to reach similar heights, as they have yet to make a playoff appearance. The 2026 season presents a challenging Big Ten schedule, with matchups against top teams like Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana. Despite not recruiting at the same level, Indiana has matched and even surpassed the success of these programs recently, capturing the national championship in 2025.
The Trojans will face Oregon and Ohio State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, before hitting the road to challenge the reigning national champion Indiana. To secure a playoff spot, USC will likely need victories over one or more of these formidable opponents. The road ahead is challenging, but with their strong recruiting class, the Trojans are poised to make a serious push for the playoffs.
In Other News...
Oregon Just Pulled Off Its Most Over The Top Flex Yet
Dan Lanning and several Oregon players are in Tokyo this week for the Tokyo-Oregon Football Showcase, and the Ducks brought their own kind of billboard with them. The University of Oregon hauled its inflatable Duck mascot across the Pacific and planted it in one of the sports favorite stages, using the trip to keep the program visible while also pushing American football to a global audience.
The scene got even more over the top with the Duck displayed alongside an inflatable Godzilla, a pairing that feels tailor-made for Oregons brand of marketing excess. Dante Moores Heisman campaign billboards were part of the backdrop too, and after Oregon teased the setup in a video, Moores Instagram story helped confirm the mascots arrival in Japan. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon And Nike Are Sending A Message Ducks Fans Already Feel
The familiar Oregon-Nike partnership was on display again this week, with The Opening Finals in Beaverton bringing elite high school talent into the Ducks' orbit while the program continues building toward the 2026 season under Dan Lanning. It is the kind of scene Oregon has made part of its identity for years, where recruiting, branding and on-field ambition all blur together in a way few programs can match.
For Ducks fans, the timing is the point. Oregon is trying to keep momentum with key players returning and recruiting still active, and the program's reach is stretching well beyond Eugene as Lanning and a few players head to Tokyo for a football showcase presented by Flight Club. Between the prospect pipeline at home and the international spotlight abroad, Oregon and Nike are sending the same message fans have heard before: this remains a program built to think bigger than one season. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Took Another Painful Loss On The Offensive Line Trail
The recruiting board took another hit for Oregon in the offensive line chase, as four-star Caden Moss came off the board to Ohio State after drawing interest from the Ducks and several other national powers. A highly regarded interior lineman in the 2027 class, Moss was the sort of prospect Oregon had every reason to pursue aggressively, especially with the program continuing to build toward another elite haul on the offensive front.
Oregon still has four offensive linemen committed and remains highly ranked in the national class race, but misses like this one are the reminder that the Ducks are still fighting heavyweight battles for premium trench talent. There is at least another chance to add momentum soon, with four-star Gecova Doyal set to decide on July 1 and give Oregon another swing at a lineman it would love to land. [Read more 🡒]