USC’s quarterback board for the 2028 class is still wide open, but one name is starting to separate from the pack: Josiah Boyd.
The four-star prospect from Vista del Lago High in Moreno Valley is already drawing plenty of attention, with SEC programs and Oregon among the schools in the mix. At 6-foot-4, Boyd brings dual-threat ability and the kind of upside that keeps major programs circling early. Even so, Rivals recruiting insider Adam Gorney says USC remains firmly in the conversation.
Boyd was labeled a “real one to watch,” and Gorney explained that the Trojans’ slower approach has not turned the quarterback away.
"Because the Trojans have been really slow offering a 2028 quarterback, Boyd isn’t holding a grudge about not getting an offer yet but is definitely looking forward to seeing how things progress especially before he gets closer to decision time," Gorney said.
USC’s delay is tied to evaluation, not indifference. Gorney said the staff wants more junior-year film before making the move.
"USC wants to see some junior season film, and while others have already offered before that, Boyd is willing to go through those motions," Gorney continued.
That approach is familiar in Lincoln Riley’s program. USC took its time before offering Jonas Williams, then flipped the former Oregon commit in Feb.
- Gorney also said Boyd would give the Trojans serious consideration because of Riley’s reputation with quarterbacks.
That track record is hard to ignore. Baker Mayfield won a Heisman Trophy under Riley and is now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ franchise quarterback.
Caleb Williams followed the same path from Oklahoma to USC, won another Heisman, and is now a playoff quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Jayden Maiava is now generating Heisman buzz of his own ahead of a pivotal 2026 season.
Still, USC’s long-term quarterback picture remains unsettled. The Trojans do not have a verbal commitment from a quarterback in the 2027 class, which leaves them looking ahead for more help behind Maiava and beyond. Jonas Williams appears to be the early favorite to succeed him, but the 2028 class is where USC still needs to build depth and a future foundation.
According to 247Sports, USC has not yet offered a quarterback in that 2028 group. Boyd stands out as a local target, but he is not the only name on the board. Four-star Tommy Devany of Buchanan High in Clovis, ranked by 247Sports composite, also has offers from Cincinnati and Utah.
For now, though, Boyd is the quarterback most clearly on USC’s radar.
In Other News...
USC Is Making A Serious Push For An Elite 2028 Pass Rusher
The early pitch is on for Major Stokes, a four-star defensive end in the 2028 class who is lining up gameday visits around the country, with USC and Ohio State among the schools on his list. For the Trojans, the appeal is clear: defensive ends coach Shaun Nua has already become a significant factor in Stokes interest, giving USC a real foothold with one of the more coveted pass rushers in the cycle.
Michigan is also firmly in the mix, helped by Stokes relationship with defensive line coach Lewis Powell, and the recruiting picture is still very much in motion. Stokes has not made a decision and plans to keep working through his junior year before he commits, which means USC has time to keep building on its early momentum while trying to stay in the conversation as the race develops. [Read more 🡒]
USC Suddenly Has A Troubling O Line Problem To Solve
USCs offensive line had reason for optimism coming out of a solid 2025 under coach Zach Hanson, but a major setback has quickly changed the picture. Expected starting center Kilian O'Connor will miss the entire 2026 season because of a practice injury, removing a player the Trojans were counting on to anchor the middle of the line and help keep that unit on the same upward track.
The timing makes the loss even tougher for USC, which is gearing up for a schedule full of strong defensive tests and now has to sort through a major replacement plan in a hurry. The Trojans first real checkpoint comes Sept. 26 against Oregon, and by then the line will need more than just a stopgap answer if it wants to hold up against one of the seasons early measuring sticks. [Read more 🡒]
USC Offensive Line Suddenly Has One Crucial Camp Question
The Trojans offensive line was expected to be one of the more settled parts of fall camp, with most of the starting spots carrying over from the post-spring projection. Instead, the group has been shaken up before camp really gets rolling, and the attention now shifts to the middle of the line, where the staff has to settle on a new anchor and sort through the depth chart behind him.
Kilian OConnors season-ending non-contact injury and subsequent surgery changed the conversation quickly, and Tobias Raymond has emerged as the player most likely to step into the opening at center. The rest of the front still looks largely intact, but camp now carries a bit more intrigue than expected, with competition for backups and any late movement among the starters worth watching as August unfolds. [Read more 🡒]