USC football might’ve skipped the traditional National Signing Day press conference back in December, but make no mistake - the Trojans made plenty of noise on the recruiting trail. Now, with head coach Lincoln Riley and general manager Chad Bowden finally pulling back the curtain on the nation’s top-ranked 2026 class, we’re getting a clearer picture of just how impactful this group could be.
Let’s start with the trenches - because that’s where USC made one of its biggest statements.
Holding the Line at Home: Tomuhini Topui
One of the first major recruiting victories for Bowden and his revamped front office came in the form of Tomuhini “Tom Tom” Topui, a four-star defensive tackle out of Santa Ana’s powerhouse Mater Dei program. Flipping Topui from Oregon wasn’t just a win - it was a battle USC had to win.
“This was a war,” Bowden said, reflecting on the recruitment. And that’s not just hyperbole. Topui represents everything USC is trying to do under Riley and Bowden: keep elite Southern California talent home and build a defense that can go toe-to-toe with the Big Ten’s physicality.
Topui is the kind of interior presence USC has been missing - a true anchor in the run game who can hold the point of attack against the power-heavy offenses they’ll face in their new conference home. He’s not just a big body; he’s a tone-setter. And for Bowden, landing a player like that from USC’s own backyard was non-negotiable.
“You can’t lose those kids,” Bowden said. “We’re really excited to have him. He’s an awesome kid, comes from an awesome family, and we think he’s going to do big things here.”
A Tight End Built for Today’s Game: Mark Bowman
If Topui is the defensive cornerstone, then Mark Bowman might just be the offensive wildcard. Another Mater Dei product, Bowman is listed as a four-star tight end, but inside the USC building, he’s viewed as a five-star talent - regardless of what the rankings say.
“He’s just a unique athlete,” Riley said. “That position is so tough to evaluate because you have to do so many things well - block, catch, run, understand the game - and he’s unusually developed for a young guy.”
Bowman has already made an impression with his work ethic. Riley mentioned seeing him in the facility late at night, grinding on his own or connecting with the staff. That kind of buy-in matters, especially at a position that demands so much versatility.
With a wide-open tight end room and spring ball just around the corner, Bowman figures to have every opportunity to carve out a role early. And if his early habits are any indication, he’s not planning to wait around.
Building a Versatile Receiver Room
USC didn’t stop with trench talent and tight end versatility - the Trojans also brought in one of the most dynamic wide receiver classes in the country. Four four-star signees headline a group that’s not just talented, but diverse in size, skillset, and style.
Among them is Trent Mosley, the do-it-all wideout from Rancho Santa Margarita who capped his high school career with a state title. Riley sees him as a chess piece - someone who can line up anywhere and make plays after the catch.
“He’s just really good with the ball in his hands,” Riley said. “People look at him and assume slot, but I think he can play anywhere. The way he runs, the way he moves after the catch - if that translates, he’s going to help us on offense and on special teams.”
Then there’s Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, another Mater Dei standout who flipped to USC from Ohio State on December Signing Day. Dixon-Wyatt brings a different flavor to the room - a physical receiver with a wide catch radius and underrated run-after-catch ability.
“People aren’t talking enough about what he does with the ball in his hands,” Bowden said. “He turns into a running back. And when you get him in the weight room with Coach [Trumain Carroll], his ceiling just keeps rising.”
With so much competition already in the receiver room - and even more talent arriving - Dixon-Wyatt will have to earn his snaps. But Bowden made it clear: he’s ready to compete now.
The Quarterback of the Future: Jonas Williams
And of course, no top-ranked class is complete without a quarterback to lead it. USC found theirs in Jonas Williams, a four-star signal caller from Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, Illinois. Like Topui and Dixon-Wyatt, Williams was another key flip from Oregon - and another early priority for Bowden.
“He’s just a competitor in everything he does,” Bowden said. “Weight room, classroom, football field - he makes everyone around him better.”
Williams brings more than just dual-threat ability and arm talent. What sets him apart, according to USC’s staff, is his makeup - that intangible leadership DNA that championship quarterbacks tend to have.
“His escape ability, his ability to layer the ball - we loved all that,” Bowden added. “But his character is what stood out the most.
He reminds us of Jayden [Maiava] in that way. That’s the kind of guy who can lead a program.”
Final Thoughts
USC didn’t just stack talent with this class - they built a foundation. From Topui in the trenches to Bowman at tight end, from versatile receivers like Mosley and Dixon-Wyatt to a leader-in-the-making at quarterback in Jonas Williams, this group checks every box.
It’s not just about stars or rankings. It’s about fit, mentality, and building a roster that can thrive in the Big Ten. And if this early glimpse is any indication, USC isn’t just recruiting to keep up - they’re building to dominate.