The number of 2027 prospects reclassifying to the 2026 class has been staggering, and the USC Trojans are in the mix for many of them. The latest is an elite local defensive lineman, and the Trojans will have a real shot at gaining his commitment.
Just this morning, 4-star Sierra Canyon defensive lineman Richard Wesley announced that he would reclassify to the 2026 class.
His recruitment is wide open, and all of the big players are involved, but USC should have the upper hand.
USC Trojans Prospect Richard Wesley Reclassifies To 2026 Class
The 6’5, 250-pound Wesley was the No. 1 DL in the 2027 class and the No. 2 overall prospect, per On3. By moving to the 2026 class, he drops to the 7th-ranked DL/EDGE and the 44th-ranked overall prospect. Still, those are impressive rankings considering he will just be entering his Junior season in high school.
Similar to when Jahkeem Stewart reclassified last year, don’t let the ranking fool you. As long as Wesley maintains his size and speed and continues to get stronger, he will finish as one of the top players in his position group.
As a freshman and sophomore at Sierra Canyon, Wesley has garnered 94 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 18.5 sacks. He also forced 3 fumbles this past season.
Also Read: Highly Touted USC Trojans Commit Now No. 1 In Latest Rankings
Oregon, Texas, and Texas A&M (among many others) will be the schools that will give USC the most competition. In an interview with On3, Wesley spoke extremely high of Oregon and how they are developing players along the defensive line. The Ducks feel like the stiffest competition, as they usually are for SoCal recruits.
On USC, Wesley said:
“They’re in LA. That’s home. That’s my hometown. I haven’t sat down with any of the coaches. I haven’t been to a junior day or any good visits. I’m excited to go down there and speak with the coaching staff over there. They know ball. They came down, check me out, my school, had good conversations. They have a lot of knowledge of my position. Coach Henny, Coach Nua, I love talking to them. They’re real welcoming people, and USC being so close, that’s a good feeling.”
The USC Trojans newfound resurgence in local recruiting should certainly give them a bit of the upper hand here. They have also begun creating a nice little pipeline with his high school, Sierra Canyon.
Star Safety Kamari Ramsey transferred from UCLA, but he went to Sierra Canyon. In the 2024 class, safety Marquis Gallegos and WR Xavier Jordan went to Sierra Canyon. And so far in the 2026 class, so these are current teammates with Wesley, WR Ja’Myron Baker and ATH Madden Riordan attend SC. Incoming transfer DJ Harvey also went to Sierra Canyon.
Wesley had an unofficial visit with the USC Trojans on February 1st and now will likely get an official visit set up in the near future.