The USC Trojans continue their aggressive climb on the national recruiting stage, landing a massive commitment from four-star defensive end Luke Wafle of The Hun School (Princeton, NJ). Wafle, ranked the No. 10 EDGE and No. 52 overall prospect by the On3 Industry Ranking, chose USC over Ohio State in a tightly contested recruiting battle that escalated over the final days.
The 6-foot-5½, 255-pound Wafle also considered Texas, Penn State, and Florida. He had been trending toward USC after a standout official visit to Los Angeles in mid-June. However, Ohio State made a late NIL push that nearly flipped the tide. Ultimately, USC countered, with reports indicating Wafle’s NIL deal could be worth between $2.2 and $2.6 million over two years.
“A Culture-Changer” Joins USC Trojans’ Top-Ranked 2026 Class
USC’s defensive staff—led by DC D’Anton Lynn, DL coach Eric Henderson, and EDGE coach Shaun Nua—played a pivotal role. Wafle emphasized not just the football fit, but the program’s direction:
“The people, the development. Coach Nua, Coach Henny, Coach Lynn are just genuine great humans,” Wafle told On3. “I think USC has a bright future.”
Wafle’s father, Dave, echoed the sentiment:
“There is a lot of energy around USC… We had some really great meetings with Coach Riley. The visit felt special.”
On the field, Wafle is a disruptive force. As a junior, he recorded 53 tackles, 18 for loss, and 8 sacks, while helping Hun School to a 9–1 record.
What Sets Wafle Apart
Hun School head coach Todd Smith had high praise:
“Luke is the total package — violent first step, heavy hands, relentless motor,” Smith said. “He’s a culture-changer who makes your locker room better and your standards higher.”
Wafle is the No. 1 prospect in New Jersey (via Rivals) and now headlines a USC 2026 class ranked No. 1 nationally, solidifying the Trojans as a powerhouse in the new Big Ten era.