Marcus Freeman is taking multiple hits. It’s a high-stakes battle in college football recruiting. To make things more challenging, USC is playing with some sly moves that have Notre Dame reeling. And this is far from the only heartbreak the Trojans gave the Fighting Irish. A calculated raid on the National Championship finalist? 

Last October, 4-star DL Braeden Jones shocked the world by committing to USC’s 2026 class. A shocker because for the longest time, his inclination pointed to two schools—Notre Dame and Ohio State. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Mount Carmel HS star stunned everyone by choosing the Trojans. The commitment set the tone for what has become a full-scale ND recruiting crisis as USC continues to flip Irish targets with a mix of aggressive recruiting and a not-so-subtle media blitz. 

Adding fuel to the fire, former USC WR Mike Williams, a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, has been at the center of a calculated media push promoting the Trojans as the destination for elite WRs. Notre Dame insider Liam Farrell wasn’t having it. In his X post on March 12, he reposted the video and blasted USC’s calculated approach. “USC football taking clear and obvious shots at Notre Dame off the field is a bold strategy,” he posted. “For reference, the Irish are 10-4 against the Trojans since 2010, while USC has yet to make a College Football Playoff appearance since its inception over a decade ago.” It’s a fair point because the Trojans haven’t consistently backed it up with on-field success against the Irish. 

In USC Football’s video, Mike Williams made a bold claim. “The best WRs of the country come from the University of Southern California,” he boasted. It didn’t stop there. The Trojans chose a classic ND vs. USC showdown for an unmistakable jab at Marcus Freeman’s squad. The ex-NFL star added, “At other schools, you have a name, but at USC, your name becomes a legacy. USC has the best WRs of the past, present, and the future. Fight on!” And yeah, a major recruiting setback popped its head. 

4-star WR Trent Mosley, a longtime Notre Dame target, pursued since 2022, committed to USC despite family ties to South Bend. His parents both played for the Irish, and his brother, Emmett Mosley V, has already passed on to play at Sanford. To make matters worse, Lincoln Riley and his staff also offered his younger brother Grant Mosley, a 2028 WR recruit, making it clear they’re locking down the family pipeline. And again, that’s not all. 

Marcus Freeman takes hit from USC’s consistent raids

Notre Dame also lost DE Simote Katoanga last month. He’s a highly touted 2026 recruit who was expected to be a key piece in Marcus Freeman’s defensive class. The former teammate of Irish freshman LB Madden Faraimo not only committed to USC but also switched high schools to Santa Margarita Catholic, CA. All three major ND targets, all gone! Taken by the Trojans. 

This isn’t just about losing recruits. It’s about perception. USC isn’t just flipping ND’s top targets. They’re making sure they’re feeling the loss through social media. Is it the arrival of former Irish GM Chad Bowden to USC? With coveted targets bolting for the West Coast, ND will need a serious counterpunch. 

Marcus Freeman and his team must respond—both in recruiting and on the field. Because right now, USC is doing more than stealing Notre Dame’s targets. They’re waging a psychological war. 

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