Has USC and Lincoln Riley figured out the secret strategy of balancing the pay-for-play agenda in the current NIL era? Well, maybe not entirely, they are on the right track. Recruit, develop, win games, win the Natty, and rise like a phoenix! Just a few months ago, that vision seemed like a long shot for Coach Riley. Riley finished in a scorching hot seat after a tough 7-6 season. Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back while criticising Lincoln Riley for being a flop in recruitment during his three-year tenure. However, it’s safe to say that the tables are turning. Riley has made significant strides, bolstering the 2026 class. Four-star edge rusher out of Mater Dei High School’s latest move adds another layer to that claim.

Gone are the days when Lincoln Riley could lean back on his safety net. Year four demands results and redemption. Recruitment has been the most effective weapon for that goal. Riley heard and delivered, achieving the No.1 recruiting spot in the 2026 cycle, with a total of 25 commitments under his belt. A flex? A celebration? Not at all. Rather, the time calls for doubling down on the momentum with more active high school and portal additions. The latest in their net is Shaun Scott (235 lbs), the standout in-state linebacker who made up his mind after a lot of back and forth. Four-star Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei Edge, Shaun Scott, pledged his words to USC on Sunday, May 11. The Trojans have long been pursuing Scott as a linebacker, with LB coach Rob Ryan leading the show.

Swooping the best linemen out of the mix that every other program wants marks an enormous improvement for Riley, regardless of all the flakes. Not long ago, they flipped TomTom from the Ducks, one of the best interior D linemen in the nation. With 42 total tackles and 6.5 total sacks in 2024-2025, he is a growing household name. Kannon Smith from Colorado, another shining lad in the position group. Scott’s decision only kept the tide rolling. What message did it send to the rest of the B1G houses?

USCJ, a USC insider and host of ‘Lost in the Sauce Podcast,’ reflected, “USC, like the slogan that they have, ‘USC is really the place to be’. Listen, it is really the place to be. Who would have ever thought the big-time edge rusher, linebacker, and, you guys know, who saw my video, Shaun Scott, is probably going to be in USC? “

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Scott hails from the same school that has a rich history of producing multiple future USC breakout stars. According to 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings, Scott is rated as the No. 29 edge rusher nationally, the No. 30 prospect in California, and the No. 289 overall recruit in the country. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Matt Barkley, and Matt Leinart are all the MD legends who went on to USC and never looked back. Now Scott joined the club, only making the Trojans more solidified in their in-state grip. “Who would have ever thought a guy like TomTom and Scott, two modern-day product guys that are just phenomenal players, that will literally, those are the type of guys that you just go, want to see.” USCJ analyst added, “USC’s absolutely moving and grooving on a level that we just can’t even fathom.”

Scott’s top school choices were USC, Michigan, Miami, and Washington. So, bringing him to a final call was a dogfight, so to speak. But the Trojans never backed down. The meaningful connection, and most importantly, the priority call of building a strong in-state talent group got the job done for Riley and the Trojans.

USC locks in Shaun Scott as their top priority

USC has hosted the young lad multiple times on its campus. Their coaches and staff didn’t leave a stone unturned to convince Scott of what they had in store. Coach Rob Ryan, in particular, played a crucial role behind Scott’s move as he thrives in playing on Sundays.

“Coach Ryan has won two Super Bowls, he has coached a lot of Pro Bowlers, he has developed a lot of great linebackers, so he is a coach I want to be around and play for,” the Mater Dei stand-out’s eyes sparkled with hope while expressing his interest in the USC coaching staff. “He is a very smart coach with a great personality. I know he can develop me, and I like how he wants to use me.”

“They’re taking California very seriously,” said Scott. “I talk to them mostly every day, and they tell me every day I’m a priority. They tell me how well I fit in their defense, and they want to get me over there.” Scott has been a big fan of USC’s current recruiting class as well.

However, his relationship with the coaches has been the main turning point in the whole recruitment saga. Rob Ryan, Chad Bowden, and Coach Henny (Eric Henderson) made an impact on Scott’s headspace. Scott also seems to be high on Coach Riley’s strong command over his players. He believes players play for him, and USC is counting hours for some big prize. A championship? Not guaranteed, but the culture shift is huge. With such powerful commitments, it’s apparent the Trojans are here to cement their name.