Five-star offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy has committed to the USC Trojans, choosing the Trojans over prominent programs like Miami, Florida, and Georgia.
Pepe is a highly regarded prospect in the 2026 class, ranked as the No. 44 overall prospect and the No. 5 offensive tackle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average of the four major recruiting media companies. He also holds the No. 5 ranking among players in Florida.
Pepe represents a key addition to the offensive line, the 6-foot-6, 325-pounder, whose commitment bolsters an already strong group.
Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon four-star IOL Esun Tafa also headlines the top commits on the interior, while Folsom (Calif.) three-star OT Vlad Dyakonov and Denver Valor Christian three-star IOL Kannon Smith further strengthen the class.
USC Trojans Take Top 2026 Recruiting Rank
USC’s 2026 recruiting class continues to solidify its position as a powerhouse, now ranked No. 1 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, surpassing LSU. This surge is largely fueled by significant additions on both sides of the line of scrimmage and includes a notable commitment from a Southern California native.
The Trojans’ class, which currently boasts 25 commits, has secured an impressive array of talent, particularly in the trenches. The program has commitments from five defensive linemen and six offensive linemen. Among the defensive linemen are Richardson (Texas) four-star DL Jaimeon Winfield, a top-100 recruit; Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star DL Tomuhini Topui, within the top 150, and Chicago Mount Carmel four-star DL Braeden Jones, the No. 4 player in Illinois.
This recent addition is originally from Southern California, and USC’s recruitment efforts were persistent. “They’ve literally been calling me every day,” the player told On3’s Chad Simmons in March, regarding USC. “They’ve called me every day for the last week. I’ve been talking with them.” He added, “Coach Riley has the program going in the right direction, and I like him and the staff. It is a school I am high on because of the coaches and the people there.”
In total, USC’s class features twelve top-200 prospects, including: Gainesville (Ga.) four-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) four-star cornerback RJ Sermons, Los Angeles Loyola four-star CB Brandon Lockhart, Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) four-star EDGE Simote Katoanga, Frankfort Heights (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East four-star quarterback Jonas Williams, and Painesville (Ohio) Harvey four-star running back Shahn Alston.
With seven top-100 prospects now committed, USC’s strategic focus on both the offensive and defensive lines, combined with elite talent acquisition across multiple positions, positions them as a formidable force in the 2026 recruiting landscape.