The USC Trojans made a significant move by successfully recruiting quarterback Jonas Williams from Oregon. Williams, a four-star quarterback in the 2026 class, shared insights into the reasons behind his decision to change his commitment.
Ranking as the No. 63 recruit in the country, the No. 6 quarterback, and the top player from Illinois according to the On3 Industry Rankings, Williams is expected to greatly enhance USC coach Lincoln Riley’s offense. Although he was initially committed to Oregon, he switched his allegiance to USC in February.
In an interview with On3’s Scott Schrader, Williams discussed the factors that influenced his decision to join the Trojans and when USC began recruiting him.
“Their approach to recruiting is somewhat unique. They tend to wait longer to target quarterbacks because they take pride in selecting the right one,” Williams shared with Schrader. “They first reached out to me in June and were one of my later offers.”
Williams visited USC twice before he decided to change his commitment, with his most recent visit being in February for USC’s junior day. Following an impressive visit, speculation about his potential switch started to grow.
“I went down there in late July, and during the season, they attended my games. From there, they ramped up their recruitment and offered me in November,” Williams explained. “They prioritized me, and it just felt like a better fit.
“It was a really significant visit due to the way everything unfolded,” Williams told Schrader about his trip to USC’s Junior Day. “My family wanted to go, and we realized that if I were to make a switch, it would likely be to USC because of how much we appreciated it and what Coach Riley is doing with quarterbacks.”
Williams also discussed USC quarterbacks coach Luke Huard, who has played a key role in his recruitment and in bringing him on board.
“Getting to know him and his family and feeling a sense of belonging with them was very important to me. He’s an excellent coach and a great person, and we connect almost every day now,” Williams said.
The ongoing communication from Huard and USC made the Trojans an appealing choice for Williams. Additionally, Riley’s track record of coaching some of the top quarterbacks played a significant role in influencing Williams’ decision to switch. Riley has coached several current NFL quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals—all of whom have won the Heisman Trophy.
“I believe Lincoln Riley is the best coach to help me develop and reach the next level, and that was a key factor in my decision. Some players might go to a school where they can start right away but won’t improve. I think that under Coach Riley, I’ll have the opportunity to compete and grow,” Williams shared with Schrader.
There’s no guarantee that Williams will start as a freshman, especially since the USC Trojans have recruited five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet from the 2025 class, who might be the starting quarterback when Williams arrives. Longstreet committed to the Trojans in November, so Williams is aware that he might not be the immediate starter. However, he is confident that Riley is a coach who will support his development.
The USC Trojans’ recruiting class for 2026 boasts a strong lineup of players, ranking No. 2 nationally according to On3 and No. 1 according to 247Sports. The next priority for USC is to acquire some offensive targets for Williams to pass to. Williams mentioned to Schrader that he is actively contributing to the Trojans’ recruiting efforts.
As a significant addition to the USC roster, Williams is already showing enthusiasm and motivation. Although USC wasn’t his first choice, it’s clear that he is eager to join the Trojans and compete for a national championship.
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