USC and Lincoln Riley are heading toward a crucial year after two wasted seasons with 8-5 and 7-6 records, respectively. The tough matchups against Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, Oregon, and UCLA can bring some real threat to Riley’s $90 million job. So, if they can’t retreat to that golden recruiting era, the national championship, even the Big 10 conference championship, will remain a far-fetched idea for the Trojans next season.

However, the new GM at USC knows it the best and hence has taken some steps forward to make the best out of the recruits, to be more specific, the in-state recruits. Chad Bowden sees a great point in hiring and developing the talents grown up in California over the outsiders. Well, USC is moving a step ahead in that direction. Elija Harmon is on track to be one of the best in The Golden State’s class of 2027.

Inglewood High School defensive lineman Elija Harmon, regarded as one of the best young prospects of the Southeast, received an offer from the Trojans in January. The 6 ft 3′ standout kept no mystery that the offer from USC and coach Riley came off as a dream come true moment for him. Growing up in LA, playing in the maroon jersey seemed surreal to the kid. The completion of the journey from the surreality to reality is just a few steps away right now.

Breaking down the Trojans’ position to land the elite in-state prospect, the USCJ Lost in the Sauce podcast host said, “USC is getting a big-time visit from a four-star prospect, Elijah Harmon, out of Inglewood High School. Listen, we told you that Inglewood has players. We told you that you’re going to the city. They got players in the city, and it’s real deal go time; it’s only popping, it’s only back in.” 

Harmon comes from a prestigious institution with a pedigree of producing NFL talent. The list is endless, but we’ll give you a few. It includes names like Shaquelle Evans, Lawrence Jackson, Gary Kerkorian, and Benson Mayowa. But what makes our guy special? USCJ went into more detail.

“He is a 6’3, 280 pounds, and a defensive lineman, and he is rated a four-star prospect, according to Rivals. He’s ranked nationally as the 85th player in the country, he’s ranked the number eight player in the state of California, and then he’s ranked the 7th best player at his position. So, this is a guy that posted on his Twitter yesterday that he’s getting ready for a big-time visit with us.” 

What did Elijah put up on Twitter [now X]? Well, as you can see from his March 12 post, Harmon announced that he is taking an unofficial visit to Lincoln Riley’s program. However, it’s not the first time Harmon has taken a trip to the USC campus. Riley and the staff hosted him on their junior day in early February. The chance for the Trojans looks great, but Harmon is checking out other options, too. So, nothing looks settled for Riley and Bowden as long as he is done with his other visits and keeps the Trojans exclusively above the others.

Elija Harmon entertains other lucrative offers under his belt 

The 280 lb Inglewood talent already has more than 11 offers piled up on his table that include San Diego State, California, Arizona State, Washington State, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida, Syracuse, etc. The latest to extend an offer to him is coach Heupel and Tennessee.

“An offer from Tennessee means a lot to me; they are a great program in a great conference, with a great game day atmosphere. Coach Lahmann was the one who offered me, and he made it known that I was a priority for him,” the talented prospect said to Vols on SI.

However, when it comes to scheduling a visit to Knoxville, the talented recruit is planning on making a trip to visit Tennessee. “I definitely plan on visiting in the future, but I don’t have an exact date as of right now. They are for sure one of my top schools right now, and USC, UCLA, Cal, Michigan, Arizona St, and Texas A&M are also some schools that are standing out to me.”

Harmon has a big high school career and some rare talent to flaunt. The way he plays with heavy hands and gets off the ball extremely quickly, with two more years in his hand to develop, Harmon has a true chance to be elite at the collegiate level.