On Friday it was reported that Elbert Hill, 2026’s #1 cornerback prospect, announced the final 10 programs he is still considering. The USC Trojans were among them, but the Akron, Ohio native has been a priority target of his home state school, Ohio State. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives the Buckeyes an 86.9 percent chance of landing the 5 foot 11, 170 defensive back.
But, OSU will have to continue to woo Hill as he has kept very stiff competition in the mix. Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and UCLA are the other eight on the list for Hill.
Hill is ranked as the top cornerback in the nation, the top prospect coming out of Ohio, and the 16th-best player in the 2026 class.
USC Trojans Positioning Themselves to Land Top Defensive Recruits
Recruiting has been at the top of USC’s priorities, emphasizing recruiting on the defensive side of the ball. Six of their 10 2025 four-star recruits are from that side of the ball. The 2025 USC recruiting class is ranked as the 10th best in college football and third in the Big 10.
The defensive coaching staff overhaul has created a more compelling environment for young recruits and those coaches have taken the recruiting bull by the horns. USC Trojans secondary coach, Doug Belk is ranked in the top 50 among college recruiters.
The product on the field is ultimately what will sell the program to Hill. And defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn is doing his part there. Last season, out of 133 programs, USC ranked 119th in yards per game and 121 points per game. So far this season they are 29th and 47th in those categories.
Kamari Ramsey, who followed Lynn from UCLA to USC this season, is now getting attention from NFL scouts.
These strides don’t guarantee that USC will remain in the conversation, but they are trending in the right direction to be a recruiting powerhouse once again.
