Can USC Trojans Finish with Top 10 Recruiting Class? Behind Oklahoma, Notre Dame

The USC Trojans rose two spots in the latest recruiting rankings after receiving commitments from five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet and four-star offensive tackle Alex Payne. Can the Trojans jump the Oklahoma Sooners, Notre Dame Fighting Irish to finish with a top-10 recruiting class?

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

As the early signing period draws near on Dec. 4, the USC Trojans currently have the No. 14 recruiting class for the 2025 cycle, per the On3 Industry Rankings. Can the Trojans finish will with a top 10 recruiting class? 

USC rose in the latest recruiting rankings after an interesting week. Four-star Carrollton (GA) quarterback Julian Lewis, the No. 6 quarterback and No. 39 player overall decommitted and five-star Corona Centennial (CA) quarterback Husan Longstreet, the No. 4 quarterback and No. 20 player overall flipped from Texas A&M to USC. 

“I think the offense that coach Riley has in place, it's hard to not be successful,” Longstreet said. “I feel like the offense is a great fit. I think it rises up with everything, my talent, my play style, everything."

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Later in the week after four-star Mobile Williamson (AL) offensive tackle Carde Smith decommitted, the Trojans were able to flip four-star Gainesville (GA) offensive tackle Alex Payne from North Carolina, where he had been committed to since January.

“I’m headed west,” Payne told On3. “At first I thought, no way, that’s too far away from home. But the more I talked with the coaches through FaceTime conversations almost daily and really getting to know them, I could start seeing myself playing for those guys.”

Both Longstreet and Dunn were at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum last weekend to watch the Trojans defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 28-20. Five-star Edna Karr (LA) defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart was also in attendance as part of a weekend that saw him meet with people at Marvel Studios, dine at Nobu in Malibu and visit former Super Bowl champion Michael Strahan at FOX Sports. Landing the elite recruit out of New Orleans would certainly propel the Trojans into the top 10.

"Just to see all of the fans come out and have so much pride in their school, was kind of amazing," Longstreet said. "Just everything about it, the tours, everything goes so smooth. They just love their program, they love their football, they love their basketball."

Nov 23, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

USC is one of eight schools with at least to two five-star recruits in Longstreet and West Jordan (UT) receiver Jerome Myles. The uber-talented pass-catcher is the No. 4 receiver in the cycle. The Trojans have 22 commits for the 2025 cycle.

In order to reach the top-10 teams, USC will have to climb over the Oklahoma Sooners, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Texas A&M Aggies.

In two full recruiting cycles, coach Lincoln Riley finished with the No. 9 class in 2023 and the No. 18 class in 2024.

MORE: Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams Breaks NFL Rookie Passing Record In Loss To Minnesota Vikings

MORE: What UCLA Bruins Coach DeShaun Foster Said After Losing to USC Trojans

MORE: Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold Emotional Reaction To Beating Chicago Bears: 'Means The World'

MORE: USC Trojans Schedule: Notre Dame Kickoff Time, TV Channel Announced

MORE: College GameDay's Kirk Herbstreit Falsely Claims USC Trojans' Miller Moss Transferred

MORE: FINAL: USC Trojans Defeat the UCLA Bruins to Become Bowl Eligible

MORE: Why Four-Star Recruit Alex Payne Flipped to USC Trojans From North Carolina Tar Heels

MORE: USC Trojans Quarterback Commit Husan Longstreet Recruiting 5-Star Brandon Arrington To USC

MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Five-Star QB Husan Longstreet Talks Recruitment, Flip to USC Trojans

MORE: Minnesota Vikings' Jordan Addison Injury Update After Increased Role Vs. Tennessee Titans

MORE: Five-Star Quarterback Julian Lewis Commits To Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders

MORE: USC Trojans Quarterback Miller Moss' Potential NIL Value as Transfer