USC Lands Top Lineman as Best Class Since 2017 Takes Shape

USC adds muscle to its future front line with a marquee offensive line class led by highly touted IMG Academy standout Breck Kolojay.

USC Lands Breck Kolojay, Capping Its Best Offensive Line Class Since 2017

USC has officially locked in its most impressive offensive line haul in nearly a decade-and it’s headlined by a pair of big-time prospects who bring both pedigree and polish.

The Trojans made a major statement on the first day of the Early Signing Period, securing signatures from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy teammates Keenyi Pepe and Breck Kolojay, combining for more than eight recruiting stars between them. That’s a benchmark USC hasn’t hit since the 2017 class that featured future NFL talents like Austin Jackson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Brett Neilon, and Andrew Vorhees.

And while Pepe may be the crown jewel of USC’s top-ranked class, Kolojay is no consolation prize. The 6-foot-5.5, 320-pound interior lineman is a physical, technically sound prospect with the kind of experience and upside that makes him a potential multi-year starter in the trenches.

Let’s break down how Kolojay ended up in cardinal and gold-and what he brings to the future of USC’s offensive front.


The Recruitment: A National Battle Won by USC

Kolojay’s recruitment was a coast-to-coast affair. With a top five that included Oklahoma, Colorado, Georgia, Miami, and USC, the Trojans had to hold off some serious heavyweights to land the IMG standout. Georgia and Miami pushed hardest down the stretch, but Kolojay announced his commitment to USC during a live segment on the CBS Sports College Football channel-giving the Trojans a huge win in the trenches.

This wasn’t just about landing a talented lineman. It was about stacking elite talent at a position USC has been working to rebuild for years. Kolojay’s commitment, alongside Pepe’s, sends a message: USC is serious about dominating the line of scrimmage again.


By the Numbers: Where Kolojay Ranks

Kolojay checks in as the No. 20 interior offensive line prospect and the No. 40 player in Florida, according to 247Sports. The Composite rankings place him as the No. 327 overall recruit and the No. 24 interior offensive lineman nationally.

That’s solid company-and when you factor in his two-year starting experience at IMG Academy, one of the premier high school programs in the country, you get a sense of just how college-ready he is.


The Fit: Connections, Camaraderie, and Competition

While Kolojay may be coming to USC from Florida, he won’t be stepping into unfamiliar territory. He’s already built-in chemistry with fellow IMG lineman Keenyi Pepe, and he’ll reunite with Mark Bowman, a close friend from Colorado who’s also part of USC’s 2026 class. Before transferring to IMG, Kolojay played at Valor Christian in Littleton, Colorado-where he shared the field with another USC signee, Kannon Smith.

That network of relationships matters. Offensive line play is about cohesion as much as talent, and Kolojay is walking into a room where he already knows the guys next to him. That’s a huge plus.

As for playing time? The path won’t be easy in Year 1.

USC is expected to return all five of its starting offensive linemen in 2026, along with key reserves like Micah Banuelos and Kaylon Miller. But 2027 could be a different story.

Elijah Paige is likely NFL-bound, and both Alani Noa and Kilian O’Connor are set to exhaust their eligibility. That opens the door for Kolojay to step in and compete for a significant role.

And he’s not shying away from the challenge.

“Going to USC and making an impact is going to be totally on me, but I want to make an impact early,” Kolojay said. “I’m going to work my [butt] off every single day to compete for a spot.

I’m coming in there with a bunch of guys that live ball and have camaraderie.

We want to bring this thing up to a national championship.”

That’s the kind of mindset you want in the trenches.


Scouting the Tape: What Kolojay Brings to the Field

Kolojay is a physically mature, advanced offensive line prospect with the kind of size and technique that translate well to the college game. At 6-foot-5.5 and 320 pounds, he’s already built like a Power Four lineman, and he’s been battle-tested against elite competition at IMG.

Here’s what stands out:

  • Strength in tight spaces: Kolojay thrives in the phone booth. He’s at his best when he can engage defenders early, time his strikes, and use his powerful lower half to anchor and drive.
  • Combo blocking ability: He’s a technician in the run game, capable of engaging multiple defenders on the same play and maintaining solid posture in pass protection.
  • Physicality: He’s not afraid to finish blocks with authority. That mean streak shows up on tape-he’s the kind of lineman who plays through the whistle.
  • Positional versatility: Kolojay spent most of his junior season at right guard but also got reps at left guard and right tackle. That flexibility could help him find the field sooner, especially in a program that values cross-training up front.

There are areas for refinement-particularly when it comes to handling speed on the edge if he’s ever isolated-but the foundation is strong. And like many IMG offensive linemen before him, he arrives at USC with a high floor and a head start on the physical and mental demands of the college game.


Bottom Line

USC is building something serious up front, and Breck Kolojay is a big part of that blueprint. He’s not just a solid addition-he’s a tone-setter. With his blend of size, technique, and competitive fire, Kolojay has the tools to be a multi-year starter for the Trojans and a key piece in their push back toward national relevance.

This class has the makings of a foundational group for USC’s offensive line-and Kolojay might just be one of the cornerstones.