Top-10 2025 safety from Florida, Hylton Stubbs, becomes USC’s fourth commit for March 24

USC gets more help in the secondary on a huge day of recruiting.

What a haul for USC, and it was just one day. Hylton Stubbs, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound four-star safety, is a legitimate top-10 safety in the 2025 Class. 247Sports (No. 10) and On3 (No. 6) have Stubbs as a top-10 prospect on the board.

Scouts praise his size and football IQ. He will need to bulk up, but if this offseason taught us anything, one winter with Bennie Wylie and Rachel Suba should fix that.

Stubbs echoes a familiar message being vocalized by USC recruits: development.

“I love what the coaches are doing. I love the way they’re sending kids to the league. They have a top safety going to the league,” he said in an interview with 247Sports.

This commitment follows commitments from Justus Terry (a flip from Georgia), Isaiah Gibson, and Dominick Kelly. The Trojans have gotten a lot of work done, and they’re telling everyone that the days of weak defenses and subpar attention to detail on that side of the ball are over.

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USC football just got two top 2025 recruits and flipped a Georgia 5-star commit

USC football flipped the commitment of Justus Terry from the Bulldogs and got another Georgia high school recruit in Isaiah Gibson.

The USC Trojans had a superb Sunday, landing a pair of high-level 2025 football recruits in moves that don’t just help their program but also hamper the class of major contenders.

USC secured the commitment of four-star edge rusher Isaiah Gibson and flipped the commitment of five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry, winning him from Georgia’s program. Terry told 247Sports the decision was a “no-brainer.”

“No. 1 business school in the country, I want to study business entrepreneurship. Coach Henny (Eric Henderson) is good with developing players and I want to be a part of this journey with him,” Terry said to the outlet. “I trust his coaching and the way he plans on utilizing me!”

Pulling the commitment from the Bulldogs was a massive deal, considering Terry attends Manchester High School in Georgia. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound lineman told 247Sports he wants to “expand his life” after hailing from a small town.

Terry is ranked the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 8 overall player in the class of 2025. According to MaxPreps, he had 78 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks as a junior.

USC further expanded its front seven by also landing Gibson, an edge rusher that 247Sports thinks is also among the best 20 players in the class of 2025 (though its composite has him at No. 76, still a four-star player). Listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, Gibson had 38 offers, according to the recruiting outlet.

Gibson previously told On3 that his top four were Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Oregon, and the coaching and culture stood out among them.

With that said, while it was a direct coup of Georgia like Terry, USC snuck a second homegrown player out of the Bulldogs’ lap. Gibson attends Warner Robins in Georgia, where he was named an honorable mention on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s all-state team last year.

Gibson and Terry give the Trojans their second and third commits in the class of 2025. Though the number isn’t particularly high, the quality is elite, with those two highly ranked players joining five-star quarterback Julian Lewis in the class.

Georgia five-star defensive line commit Justus Terry flips to USC, Eric Henderson brings him home

Eric Henderson’s work and reputation are already paying off at USC.

Five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry has flipped his commitment from Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs to the Trojans on his official visit to USC this weekend.

Terry has been committed to Georgia for over a year. Pulling a longtime defensive commit from the Bulldogs, especially on the front line, is going to turn some heads. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Terry is ranked 13th nationally and the number two defensive lineman in 247Sports’ 2025 class.

“It was a no brainer! Coming from a small town I wanted to expand my life as much as possible and I felt like USC is the right place to do that,” Terry explained his decision in an interview with 247Sports.  “No. 1 business school in the country, I want to study business entrepreneurship. Coach Henny is good with developing players and I want to be a part of this journey with him! I trust his coaching and the way he plans on utilizing me!”

We have discussed Henderson’s close relationship with Aaron Donald, arguably the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history, when he coached him with the Los Angeles Rams. Donald was not shy about the affect Henderson will have on he defensive line at USC.

“They are going to be technically sound. There’s going to be a bunch of dawgs flying around — playing mean, playing fast man, and um, the chemistry they’re going to have together, as a group, with Coach Henny there… it’s going to be like no other man, they’re going to have a lot of success man,” explained Donald in his endorsement of Henderson. “As long as they have Coach Henny, I know from personal experience.  Seeing what he did with our group, with me personally, I’ve got nothing but love for Coach Henny.”

The effects of Eric Henderson’s hire as the defensive line coach are already taking shape. Clearly Terry heard Donald’s ringing endorsement. He understands that Henderson’s developmental coaching ability is crucial for the ultimate goal of any college athlete: a successful and lucrative career in the pros. In 2001 USC’s defensive line coach, Ed Ogereon, was successful in flipping Shaun Cody from the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  It marked the beginning of a dynasty under Pete Carroll.

But let’s slow down: Commitments aren’t binding and we are a long way away from signing day in December. Still, it is impossible to ignore the traction USC defensive line recruiting is gaining with Henderson.

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Four-star Missouri wide receiver sets official visit date for USC football

A wide receiver prospect from St. Louis has lots of interest from Big Ten and SEC schools.

Lincoln Riley’s offense has grabbed the attention of Corey Simms, a talented 6’3″, 195-pound four-star wide receiver from St. Louis. Dennis Simmons, the assistant head coach and outside receivers coach, recently extended an offer to Simms and established a rapport with him before his unofficial campus visit during a local 7 on 7 event in which he represented the California Power Athletes.

In and interview with WeAreSC, Simms explained his interest in USC:

“Coach Simmons said they’re gonna throw the ball, they have great academics, a great support system and It feels like home.  And it’s not really that cold here. It’s amazing. They said this is the coldest it probably gets in the winter time.”

While the recent trip to L.A. seems to have piqued Simms’ interest, he still intends to schedule additional official visits and halt his recruitment process prior to the start of his senior season at Christian Brothers College. He has received offers from numerous schools, most notably Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue, and Indiana from the Big Ten. The SEC suitors include LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and South Carolina.

USC’s wide receiver room is talented, but lacks depth due to transfers and the NFL draft during the offseason. Riley, Simmons, and the Trojans aim to bolster their roster in the upcoming recruiting class and Simms would be a key addition.

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USC flips blue-chip 2024 defensive line commit on eve of national signing day

USC beats out Utah for a defensive lineman who decommitted from Washington.

On Tuesday, Ratumana Bulabalavu took to social media to announce his commitment to play football at USC. Defensive line coaches Shaun Nua and Eric Henderson closed in on the Carlsbad, California, four-star lineman after he decommitted from the University of Washington on January 24.

USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn has made it no secret that he values versatile linemen who can allow the defense to have multiple fronts without the need to substitute. Bulabalavu is big and athletic. He’s currently listed at 6-4 and 260 pounds, but he has the frame to add significant weight and become an even bigger force.

The multi-sport standout at Army and Navy Academy also starred in rugby and on the track team, where he competed in the discus, shot put, triple jump, and the 110-meter hurdles.  His size, strength and athleticism will allow him to play multiple positions on the line when he has a year or two in a collegiate strength and conditioning program.

In an interview with 247Sports, Bulabalavu shared his thoughts behind his decision:

“I like the scheme fit as well,” he said. “They see me as a combo, outside/inside player. They want a dynamic defensive line that is both athletic but also very heavy up front to compete in the Big Ten, so I’ll move around from tackle to edge.”

Explaining his choice for the Trojans over the Utah Utes, Bulabalavu highlighted the coaching staff’s potential. He added, “I’m completely bought in to being a part of the first class they develop and cultivate into an NFL talent.”

Bulabalavu becomes the sixth player added to the Trojans’ defensive line in the offseason, one more example of Lincoln Riley’s pledge to prioritize the defense. USC currently has the No. 17 recruiting class in the country, and Jadyn Walker is expected to flip his commitment from Michigan State to USC on national signing day.

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USC recruiting Texas running backs has always been a winning strategy

There’s a strong Texas identity in USC’s running back room, and this is not the first time we have seen as much.

The 2024 USC Trojans’ running back group will feature just two returning lettermen from the 2023 campaign, Quinten Joyner and A’Marion Peterson. MarShawn Lloyd and Austin Jones have both moved on to the NFL. Additionally, Matt Columbo and underutilized transfer Darwin Barlow have departed via the portal to San Diego State and North Carolina, respectively.

Joyner is a 5-11, 205-pound redshirt freshman from Paige, Texas, who tallied 6.9 yards per attempt on 18 carries in 2023. He gave Trojan fans a glimpse of what they have to look forward to in his career.  Joyner looks like he’s a threat to take the ball to the house on every carry. He flashed in Week 0 when he broke off a 47-yard run for a touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans. Peterson, 6-0 and 215 pounds from Witchita Falls, Texas, was also a redshirt freshman who had only two carries on the year.  He runs with a lot of power, he hits the hole hard, and when he gets into the second level, an arm takle is not going to take him down.

Hailing from McKinney, Texas, Bryan Jackson (6-0, 240 pounds) will join fellow Trojans in forming a formidable Texas trio in USC’s running back unit. Jackson, who made his commitment to the Trojans in the spring, chose USC over several other prominent programs including Alabama, Baylor, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Texas. His size and strength make him a valuable asset to the power running game, where he is expected to provide quality depth and contribute significantly.

USC boasts a history of relying on talented running backs from the state of Texas. Remarkably, five of the top 20 running backs in USC’s prestigious lineage hail from the Lone Star State. This productive group includes Ronald Jones, Justin Davis, Delon Washington, Shawn Walters, and the legendary Ricky Bell.

Jo’Quavious Marks, a transfer from Mississippi State, will be the sole running back on the team who does not originate from Texas next season if they don’t add an additional player in the spring portal period. The coaching staff places high hopes on Marks, anticipating that his experience will provide invaluable guidance and support to the young running back room at USC.

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Can USC keep Julian Lewis’ commitment after his reclassification to 2025?

This recruitment does not feel settled. USC will have to clear more hurdles.

Announcing that he will be reclassifying to the 2025 recruiting class, Julian Lewis, the 6-1, 185-pound quarterback from Carrollton, Georgia, will see his recruitment heat up again.

Lewis committed to USC last year in August, choosing the Trojans over Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Oregon, and Texas A&M. He made it clear that Lincoln Riley’s history with quarterbacks was the deciding factor. Riley, who is only 40 years old, has already coached three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks: Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams. The first two were also the first overall picks in the NFL draft, and Williams is expected to join them.

LSU has moved on and secured the commitment of the No. 1 recruit and quarterback in the 247Sports composite rankings, Bryce Underwood. Ohio State, a Big Ten rival, signed the No. 4 quarterback in the 2024 class, Air Noland, and the Buckeyes already have an elite 2025 quarterback commit in Tavien St. Clair. Elite quarterbacks do not sign in pairs, so these two schools are out of the running.

That leaves two other schools Lewis has visited twice since committing to USC: Georgia and Alabama. Lewis is from Georgia, and the Bulldogs are in need of an elite quarterback after Dylan Raiola flipped his commitment on signing day and signed with his father’s alma mater, Nebraska. While Alabama signed the top quarterback in the 2024 class, Julian Sayin, the Tide will likely still be in the market for another signal-caller in the 2025 class.

Julian and his family are very familiar with the local powerhouses that will pursue him until early signing day in December, and he chose USC. Perhaps the words of Julian’s father, TC Lewis, will help to ease concerns in Troy.

In an interview with 247Sports last summer, TC explained: “If Lincoln Riley doesn’t go [to an SEC team], it’s not an option.  With the word of NIL and that school academically and everything LA can bring and seeing the type focus Caleb has had and talking to Caleb’s dad about it, there is nowhere else to go. It seems like the smart move.”

It is often said that actions speak louder than words. Julian Lewis has a 25-3 record as the starting quarterback at Carrollton High School, but there have been rumors that he may transfer to Mater Dei or St. John Bosco in Southern California. While his father’s words are reassuring to Trojan fans, a move out west would certainly secure his son’s commitment to Lincoln Riley’s program. However, there is no guarantee this will happen. Dylan Raiola, who played high school football in Chandler, Arizona, transferred to Georgia to play his senior year, and we know how that ended.

The one thing you can always rely on in high school recruiting: it’s fluid. So buckle up, Trojans; it might be a bumpy ride.

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Check out this throw from USC 4-star commit Julian Lewis

Julian Lewis has another incredible throw.

For USC fans, 2026 can’t come soon enough. Not with Julian Lewis waiting as the quarterback of the future for USC.

And Lewis showed on Friday night why he has the potential to be so special. He linked up on a bomb, an absolute dime of a throw to teammate Caleb Odom.

The go-route saw Odom (a four-star tight end and an Alabama commit) simply outpace the defensive backs and then Lewis threw his downfield target in-stride for a touchdown.

The 49-yard touchdown connection between Lewis and Odom saw the ball travel in the air for all but five yards. It was a showcase throw from Lewis, with just about everything one would want to see from a Power Five recruit.

It is easy to see why USC head coach Lincoln Riley made Lewis a priority recruit.

 

Not only does Lewis have a strong arm, but this is impressive placement from a high school quarterback, let alone a quarterback in the class of 2026. He is a four-star recruit according to 247Sports.

Lewis and Odom’s Carrollton (Carrollton, Georgia) were up big on Harrison (Kennesaw, Georgia) in the opening round of the playoffs. Carrollton came into this game 9-1 and winner of nine straight games.

More:

Watch: Not even the playoffs can slow down 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola

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No. 1 2026 QB Julian Lewis commits to USC

Julian Lewis committed to USC on Tuesday and is poised to follow the footsteps of Caleb Williams and Malachi Nelson upon his 2026 entrance.

Highly recruited quarterback Julian Lewis is only entering his sophomore year, but he already knows where he plans to play at the next level: On Tuesday morning, he announced his commitment to USC to play under head coach Lincoln Riley.

Lewis has previously told 247Sports that Riley running the offense is a difference-maker for quarterbacks, saying “All he does is turn his quarterbacks into to the best players in college football.”

With his announcement, tweeted in coordination with On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Lewis publicly made his choice from the 36 schools that had already offered him and his top eight of Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M and USC.

Lewis was incredible as a freshman, leading Carrollton (Ga.) to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the championship game. He completed 65.5% of his passes for 4,118 yards and 48 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

Even at his young age, Lewis has been a Div. I prospect for years, receiving his first offer in eighth grade from Florida, according to 247Sports. While the Gators were ahead of the game, the Trojans’ game plan for the 6-foot-1, 185-pounds QB was convincing.

It’s a path the Trojans have mapped out well. After reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams departs for the NFL, presumably after this season, incoming five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson will take the reins. His earliest possible departure to the NFL is lined up to match the entrance of Lewis.

The Trojans appear to be selective about quarterback recruiting: Nelson is the only 2023 QB commit. There are no quarterbacks committed in the classes of 2024 or 2025. Lewis is the first player of USC’s recruiting class of 2026. The quarterback wheel of USC keeps on turning, and Lewis is the latest to grab ahold.

Four-star WR Ryan Pellum commits to USC with help of his baby

Ryan Pellum committed to USC this week — and had some help from his baby son, whose onesie revealed his college decision.

Ryan Pellum pulled off one of the more unique commitments this week when he announced his commitment to USC: He revealed his decision with use of his baby son’s onesie.

The four-star wide receiver, entering his senior year of high school, sat with Oregon and USC hats on the table in front of him as somebody handed him the baby. He turned the boy around, revealing the “Fight on!” and the two-finger gesture on the clothing.

It was one of the cuter moments of any college reveal in recent memory, and potentially ever. Watch it below on the video posted to 247Sports’ Twitter account:

Pellum, listed at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, is ranked on the 247Sports Composite as the No. 14 receiver in the class of 2024 and No. 64 player overall. He had 42 offers, including from programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Michigan. With Oregon and USC as his final two choices, the Millikan (Long Beach, Calif.) student decided to stay home and go to school in Southern California.

After breaking out with 721 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, Pellum took a step forward in his junior season with 1,028 receiving yards while matching his 10 touchdowns from the season before. With the commitment, USC now has two top-100 wide receivers in its class of 2024, with Pellum and Xavier Jordan (No. 67 on the composite) of Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) poised to join Lincoln Riley’s program.