The Trojans just added another exclamation point to what's already shaping up to be a historic 2026 recruiting class. With the latest Top247 rankings now finalized, USC has officially landed two more five-star standouts - defensive end Luke Wafle and defensive tackle Jaimeon Winfield - pushing their five-star total to three and solidifying their No. 1 national class ranking.
Let’s start with Wafle. The 6-foot-5.5, 257-pound edge rusher out of California didn’t just climb the rankings - he skyrocketed.
After dominating the Navy All-American Bowl, both in the game and throughout a week of practices, Wafle vaulted from No. 70 all the way to No. 7 overall. He now holds the distinction as the top-ranked EDGE prospect in the country, and with a 99 rating, he’s entering USC with elite expectations - and the tape to back it up.
His blend of size, burst, and technical polish stood out in a loaded All-American setting, and it’s clear the evaluators took notice.
Right alongside him, Jaimeon Winfield made his own powerful statement. The 6-foot-3, 327-pound interior force also showed out at the Navy All-American Bowl, anchoring the West defense and capping off a meteoric rise from unranked to No. 30 overall.
He’s now the No. 2 defensive lineman in the class, boasting a 98 rating. Winfield’s size and raw power are obvious, but it’s his motor and disruption ability that have scouts buzzing.
He gives USC a true difference-maker in the middle - the kind of player who can collapse pockets and command double-teams from day one.
With Wafle and Winfield joining five-star offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe from IMG Academy, USC now has a trio of five-stars and 18 total signees in the Top247. That’s not just depth - that’s high-end, game-changing talent across the board.
But the Trojans didn’t stop there. Several other signees saw their stock rise after strong All-American Bowl performances.
Four-star running back Deshonne Redeaux from Westlake (Calif.) Thousand Oaks cracked the Top 100, moving up 16 spots to No. 93 overall with a 95 rating.
Redeaux has been turning heads with his quick-cut ability and vision, and his jump in the rankings reflects that growing national respect.
Offensive lineman Vlad Dyakonov from Folsom (Calif.) made the biggest leap of any USC signee in the final update - a massive 121-spot climb to No. 121 overall. He now holds a 94 rating and looks like another foundational piece for the Trojans up front. His rise speaks to both his physical tools and the development he’s shown over the last year.
Three more USC commits entered the Top247 for the first time: offensive lineman Breck Kolojay from IMG Academy (No. 163), cornerback Peyton Dyer from Tyner Academy in Chattanooga (No. 228), and wide receiver Trent Mosley from Santa Margarita Catholic (No. 245).
Kolojay and Mosley were already four-stars, but their Top247 debuts mark a significant milestone in their evaluations. Dyer, meanwhile, earned his fourth star with the bump, giving USC yet another promising piece in the secondary.
Several other Trojans saw modest but meaningful jumps. Wide receiver Ethan Feaster from DeSoto (Texas) moved up seven spots to No. 62 overall, while quarterback Jonas Williams from Lincoln-Way East (Ill.) climbed 12 spots to No.
- Williams’ rise is especially notable - he’s been flying a bit under the radar in a loaded quarterback class, but his tools and leadership qualities are starting to get the recognition they deserve.
Of course, not every update brought good news. A handful of USC commits saw slight dips in their rankings.
Wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (No. 54) dropped seven spots, while defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui (No. 88) and cornerback Elbert Hill (No. 90) each slid a few spots. Linebacker Talanoa Ili (No. 97) had the biggest drop, falling 35 spots, and offensive lineman Esun Tafa (No. 139) and defensive lineman Simote Katoanga (No. 186) also saw small declines.
Still, several key Trojans held steady in their elite positions, including offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe at No. 5, tight end Mark Bowman at No. 42, and running back Shahn Alston at No. 171.
The biggest loss came with cornerback Brandon Lockhart from Sierra Canyon, who fell out of the Top247 entirely and is now rated as a three-star. While that’s a tough blow, it doesn’t take away from the overall strength of this class.
In total, USC’s 2026 haul is stacked with blue-chip talent, headlined by three five-stars and a deep group of Top247 prospects. The Trojans have long been known for their recruiting prowess, but this class is something special - a blend of star power and depth that could reshape the roster in the trenches, on the perimeter, and everywhere in between.
If USC fans were looking for a reason to believe in the future, this recruiting class just gave them plenty.