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USC Trojans Recruiting: 4-Star Running Back Commit Riley Wormley Runs Wild in Win

As the USC Trojans suffered a close loss to Michigan, it was a big weekend for USC recruiting as a couple of Trojans commits impressed under the Friday night lights.

Gabriel Duarte

Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans helmet on the field during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans helmet on the field during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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The No. 13 Trojans suffered a tough 27-24 loss on Saturday afternoon at the Big House to No. 12 Michigan. Despite the loss, the future of the Trojans looks optimistic as the recruiting class had a good weekend.

USC running backs coach Anthony Jones Jr. used his deep Texas ties to reel in three-star speedster Riley Wormley, who hails from Texas powerhouse Southlake Carroll. Wormley, one of USC's two running back commits in the class of 2025, had a huge game in Southlake Carroll's 56-48 over Trinity on Friday night.

Wormley rushed for 181 yards on just 15 carries. He had two touchdowns, including one from 75 yards out.

This was Wormley's third 100-yard game of the season as he has led the Dragons to a 4-0 record and a top five ranking in the state of Texas according to MaxPreps.

On the season, he has rushed for 510 yards and eight touchdowns.

USC
San Clemente linebacker Matai Tagoa'i poses for a photo during a visit to USC on July 1, 2024. / Matai Tagoa'i/X

The Trojans' highest ranked defensive commit, four-star linebacker Matai Tagoa'i had a solid game for San Clemente in their 35-28 win over Chino Hills. Tagoa'i had eight tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also showed his pass coverage chops by getting two pass deflections in the win for the Tritons.

In five games, Tagoa'i has accumulated 26 tackles and 6.5 TFLs.

247Sports National Recruting Analyst, Greg Biggins, said that Tagoa'i's ability to plug and play anywhere on the field is what makes him highly touted.

"He’s a fluid athlete and looks natural dropping in coverage and he plays with a nice edge in his game as well . . . his upside is extremely high," Biggins wrote. "When you look at his ability to play in space, rush the passer or even drop in coverage, he’s an easy player to project as a national recruit with the talent to play for just about anyone in the country."

USC
Oct 20, 2023; Carrollton, GA, USA; Carrollton Trojans quarterback Julian Lewis (10) drops back to pass against the Westlake Lions during the first half at Grisham Stadium. The 15-year-old Carrollton High student has already committed to playing for the University of Southern California Trojans and has been considered one of the top high school quarterback prospects. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images / John David Mercer-Imagn Images

One of USC's crown jewels of the 2025 recruiting class, quarterback Julian Lewis played on national television on Friday night as ESPN2 broadcasted Carrollton's 48-26 win over Parker. Lewis had arguably his worst game of the season and still, he still threw for 159 yards and one touchdown in the win.

Parker's defense was loaded with Division I talent across the board. Na'eem Offord, a five-star cornerback committed to Ohio State led the secondary for the Thundering Herd which also featured Joseph Holt, a Georgia State commit.

Lewis still managed to throw for a touchdown and completed 15 of 23 passes as the Trojans managed to come away with the win.

The four-star recruit has thrown for over 1300 yards and 21 touchdowns as he has led Carrollton to a 5-0 record.

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Gabriel Duarte
GABRIEL DUARTE

Residing in Los Angeles, Gabriel Duarte is a senior at Cal State Northridge and is pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. Gabriel is passionate about college athletics and is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and Oregon Ducks on SI. Gabriel has covered many college sporting events around the Southern California area including basketball and football for USC. Gabriel also writes for his local newspaper on high school sports.

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