In a promising development for the USC Trojans‘ 2027 recruiting class, the Trojans have secured a spot in the top six schools for highly touted four-star tight end Mason Oglesby.
This announcement comes on the heels of a recent scholarship offer from USC, highlighting the program’s aggressive pursuit of versatile talent to bolster its offense in the Big Ten era.
USC Trojans Pushing For Elite Tight End Prospect
Oglesby, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound standout from New Palestine High School in Indiana, is ranked as the No. 15 tight end nationally by Rivals and No. 18 by 247Sports. As the fifth-ranked prospect in Indiana, Oglesby brings a blend of inline blocking prowess and vertical receiving ability that aligns perfectly with USC’s evolving offensive schemes under head coach Lincoln Riley.
The top six list, revealed recently by Oglesby, includes in-state powerhouses Indiana and Purdue, alongside Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, and USC. Indiana emerges as the frontrunner, fresh off a national title appearance and boasting an offensive system under Curt Cignetti that maximizes tight ends.
Purdue, led by Barry Odom, is a program in a rebuild, leveraging its in-state appeal and rising momentum.
USC ties for third with the out-of-state options, but the Trojans’ historical prestige and culture could prove compelling.
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As Oglesby told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong, “USC is a great opportunity to go play for one of the historically best teams in college football. The culture around the team is amazing. This is a new offer, but definitely a real possibility for me.”
What makes Oglesby such an intriguing fit for USC? His size and blocking skills address the physical demands of Big Ten play, where the Trojans can deploy him in multi-tight end sets like 12 or 13 personnel. Yet, his receiving upside—evidenced by his vertical threat—echoes Riley’s successful utilization of tight ends at Oklahoma, such as Mark Andrews.
The USC Trojans’ current tight end room features returning redshirt freshman Taniela Tupou, transfer Tucker Ashcraft, and incoming players Mark Bowman and Josiah Jefferson.
This recruitment push reflects USC’s broader strategy to rebuild depth at tight end, a position that’s become a “one to watch” in the 2027 cycle. While Indiana holds the edge as the in-state favorite—and notably outshines even Notre Dame in current appeal—USC’s entry into the mix signals confidence in their pitch.
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No commitment timeline has been set, but Oglesby’s fluid process leaves room for the Trojans to make a strong impression through visits and relationship-building.
For USC Trojans’ fans, landing Oglesby would be a coup, adding a Big Ten-ready athlete to a class already showing promise. As recruiting heats up, this top-six inclusion underscores the Trojans’ ability to compete nationally, even against regional heavyweights.
Stay tuned for updates, as USC continues to chase elite talent to fuel its resurgence.