USC Trojans Hosting Elite Recruits, Flip Targets For Notre Dame Game: Jahkeem Stewart, Madden Faraimo

With early national signing period fast approaching, the USC Trojans are working to wrap up their 2025 recruiting class. USC will host an important recruiting weekend for their matchup against Notre Dame including: Jahkeem Stewart, Christian Ingram and Madden Faraimo.

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

With the early national signing period less than a week away, the USC Trojans will host one final recruiting weekend when the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish visit the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 30.

In an unprecedented month of November, college football programs have seen a vast amount of high school recruits flip their commitments and the Trojans are looking to do the same, as well as add a couple of recruits that have yet to make a decision on their future. 

“It’s gonna be a great, fun, exciting close,” said USC coach Lincoln Riley. “It's so unique right now cause it’s jumping up on us quick.”

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Five-star Edna Karr (LA) defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, who is set to visit Ohio State this weekend could be back in Los Angeles instead, according to On3. The blue-chip prospect was on campus when the Trojans played Nebraska on Nov. 16. Four-star Newton (GA) defensive lineman Christian Ingram was previously set to visit Vanderbilt but instead will take an official visit to USC this weekend. South Carolina remains the favorite to land Ingram. 

USC has been incredibly thin on the defensive front this season, which has thrusted a number of young players into the lineup and given them valuable playing time down the stretch. Another strong recruiting class on the defensive front can help the Trojans build the necessary depth and size for the Big Ten. 

The Trojans remain in heavy pursuit of four-star JSerra Catholic (CA) linebacker Madden Faraimo, who is currently predicted to sign with Notre Dame. Faraimo will be in attendance for the rivalry game this weekend. USC is also working on trying to flip Georgia Tech commit Dalen Penson. The Trojans could use another cornerback for the 2025 cycle after three-star Carrollton cornerback Shamar Arnoux flipped to Auburn this month. 

“You’re going to see guys moving around and you’re seeing it for two reasons, some guys are changing their mind for whatever reason is and it’s of unique because you can’t get in front of all their faces right now and you’re seeing some schools change their minds,” Riley said. “And you’re actually seeing that a lot more than ever before in my opinion. That’s just the world that we’re in right now. Players have always changed their mind and changing it more in the last several years, they’re probably changing it more and more than ever before. It’s probably up ticked as time has went on, but there are a lot of schools changing their mind too but it’s not like the schools are going to jump in front of cameras like this and say that.”

2026 four-star Rancho Cucamonga (CA) cornerback RJ Sermons will also be at the Coliseum this weekend. The local product is ranked as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 32 player overall for the 2026 cycle, per the On3 Industry Rankings. 

Kickoff on Saturday is slated for 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS. 

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