The 2026 college football recruiting cycle is ramping up, with top prospects across the nation beginning to plan visits and explore their options. The USC Trojans aim to strengthen their roster and bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season. Despite ending the season at 7-6 with a much-needed victory over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl, USC did not meet expectations in their first year in the Big Ten. As they look ahead to the 2025 season, head coach Lincoln Riley has already secured commitments from seven players ranked in ESPN’s top 300, who could be crucial in enhancing the program’s performance in the years to come.
Shifting focus to the 2026 recruiting class, one significant target is 4-star cornerback Jordan Thomas. Positioned 202nd in On3’s Top 300 rankings, Thomas is one of the most sought-after recruits of the cycle. He completed his first unofficial visit to USC in November 2024 and has already planned a second visit for April 25th, signaling strong mutual interest. This upcoming visit is likely to be his last unofficial meeting with the Trojans before official visits begin later in the summer and into the early stages of the 2025 season. Adding Thomas to the team would help address a crucial need for USC, as their defense struggled substantially in 2024, allowing 27, 24, 33, 29, 26, and 49 points in their six losses. A talented cornerback like Thomas could provide the defensive support USC desperately requires to compete with elite Big Ten programs.
The recruiting landscape is intensifying nationwide, and the 2026 class is shaping up to be dynamic, with player visits, commitments, and decisions in the transfer portal constantly altering the field. For USC, successfully recruiting players like Jordan Thomas could be a vital step toward reclaiming their status as a college football powerhouse.
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