Lincoln Riley’s USC is sitting pretty with the nation’s top recruiting class as they gear up for the 2025 season. Well, after a tough 7-6 campaign, questions linger on the field. But looking ahead, the future is bright for Riley and his squad. With 27 commits featuring two five-stars and 15 four-stars, USC’s 2026 class is looking like a serious powerhouse stacked with talent. And don’t sleep on the Trojans—they’re eyeing more top prospects and could be on the verge of big news this weekend.

USC is locking down the West Coast—and doing it in style. Of their 27 commits, a jaw-dropping 15 are from California. It’s all part of a smart, homegrown strategy led by GM Chad Bowden and HC Lincoln Riley: keep elite local talent in-state and in cardinal and gold. However, one major name is still on their radar. Four-star safety Davon Benjamin. Although he hasn’t locked in an official visit yet, USC sits high on his list. And while that one’s still in play, Riley just scored another win, landing a four-star standout from powerhouse Mater Dei. Honestly, the California pipeline is flowing strong.

On May 12, USC scored another SoCal gem. Four-star EDGE Shaun Scott out of Mater Dei announced his commitment to the Trojans, as reported by On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Ranked No. 29 at his position and No. 30 overall in California by 247Sports, Scott has been on radars for years. As Lincoln Riley rebuilt his defensive staff, Scott quickly climbed the priority list. In recent months, USC turned up the heat—and it paid off. The Santa Ana standout is now staying home and suiting up for the Trojans. Well, another major win from the Mater Dei pipeline.

But as for why Shaun Scott chose USC? The answer was clear. “USC has been on top for a couple of months now,” Scott told On3. “I took some visits and I wanted to make sure before I committed. The new [defensive] staff came in and made me feel like a priority, I knew I was high on their board and I felt special. USC made me feel like a top guy and that is where I want to be.” Now, with those words, it’s obvious—the Trojans didn’t just recruit him; they made him feel wanted. And that sealed the deal.

Shaun Scott made it clear—USC linebackers coach Rob Ryan was a major factor in his decision. The Trojans raised eyebrows in January when they brought in Ryan, a former NFL DC, to replace Matt Entz. It was a bold, outside-the-box hire by Lincoln Riley. And now? It’s already turning heads on the recruiting trail. While it’s still early, one thing’s obvious: Ryan’s NFL experience is making an impact, and recruits are buying in.

Lincoln Riley and USC are sending a loud message to the rest of the 133 FBS teams with their 2026 class numbers—they’re stacked with 27 commits, including two five-stars and 15 four-stars. That puts them way out in front of teams like LSU at No. 2 with just 9 commits and two five-stars, and leaves other top programs like Ohio State (No. 12) and Notre Dame (No. 15) playing some serious catch-up. Stacking elite talent this early puts USC in a league of its own, and it’s making life a lot tougher for the usual recruiting powerhouses. Now, with Scott’s commitment, Riley’s USC isn’t just gaining momentum—they’re getting a whole lot more by landing this explosive edge rusher.

Lincoln Riley’s defense is on the rise

On Friday, USC took a hit when three-star wideout Kohen Brown decommitted. But Lincoln Riley didn’t flinch. The Trojans bounced right back, landing four-star EDGE Shaun Scott. And this one’s a game-changer. Scott brings more than just pressure off the edge—he’s smooth in coverage and can drop back with ease. His athleticism pops, especially when matched up against slot receivers and TEs. For USC’s defense, that versatility is gold. Honestly, one step back, two big steps forward.

OSU, Florida, and Texas all wanted Shaun Scott. And it’s easy to see why. A MaxPreps All-American and All-Trinity League standout, Scott had options—plenty of them. But he chose USC. His specialty? Getting after the QB. He explodes off the snap and comes armed with a full bag of pass-rush moves. So, Scott’s versatility doesn’t just show in coverage—it shines at the line. He’s a problem for any offense.

With Shaun Scott on board, USC’s defense just got a whole lot stronger. Well, 4-star defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui is the lone commit from Mater Dei so far, but USC has its eyes on more talent from the powerhouse program. Five-star TE Mark Bowman is next on their radar, and adding him to the fold could make USC even more dangerous. So, the Mater Dei pipeline is flowing—and it’s all headed to Los Angeles.