Unpacking usc’s huge MAY 29th-31st official visit weekend
USC’s first official visit weekend of the summer is in the books, and it was a significant few days for Lincoln Riley, Chad Bowden, and the coaching staff. From May 29th to the 31st, the Trojans welcomed the state and nation’s top players to campus to remind them and convince some that Los Angeles is the pLAce to be.
Who Visited
The Trojans hosted 13 impressive recruits across both sides of the ball. The list featured committed and one un-committed blue-chip prospects from California and around the country, allowing the Trojans to make their case to some of the most coveted recruits in the 2027 class.
Visitor List Below
Committed:
5-Star ATH Honor Fa’alave-Johnson - San Diego (CA)
4-Star WR Quentin Hale - Corona (CA)
4-Star CB Danny Lang - Santa Ana (CA)
4-Star CB Aaryn Washington - Los Angeles (CA)
4-Star OL Drew Fielder - Anaheim (CA)
4-Star SAF Gavin Williams - La Verne (CA)
4-Star WR Roye Oliver - Chandler (AZ)
4-Star DL Alifeleti Tuihalamaka - Chatsworth (CA)
3-Star Isaia Vandermade - Rancho Santa Margarita (CA)
3-Star RB Javon Vital Jr - Lake Charles (LA)
3-Star TE Jace Cannon - San Mateo (CA)
3-Star LB Josiah Poyer - Bellflower (CA)
Uncommitted:
4-Star OT Isaiah Bertola - Honolulu (HI)
The Objective
USC aims to remind rather than pursue. With over 90% of visitors committed, the Trojans will need to remind the elite talent on campus this weekend why they originally chose Los Angeles.
California Love
Since arriving at USC, general manager Chad Bowden has helped reshape the program's recruiting approach. The organization, attention to detail, and relationships built throughout the recruiting process were on full display during the weekend. The one topic that recruits always touch on his how personable Chad Bowden and the recruiting staff are.
Out of the thirteen recruits on campus, ten are from California, and all ten are committed. When Chad Bowden spots a California recruit he likes, it’s his, nobody else’s. This speaks volumes of the effort the staff puts in. The recruits know and understand that. California athletes want to play for USC. USC has to give them a reason to, and they have.
Just a few years ago, it would have been difficult to imagine an official visit weekend where over 90% of the visitors are already committed to USC, and over 75% of the visitors are from California. The Trojans are no longer fighting to get involved with many of California's top prospects—they're working to keep them committed and continue strengthening those relationships.
What Recruits and Families Had to Say
One of the best ways to know how the official visit went is to talk directly to the people who experienced the visit.
I spoke with the father of already committed 4-Star CB Danny Lang who is from right here in Southern California. He had nothing but positive things to say about the visit. Langs fathers thoughts are below.
‘‘The visit was great! From talking to former players and having a great conversation with Marcus Allen. He gave my son a lot of knowledge. My son had great one-on-one talks with Lincoln (USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley) and GP (USC’s New Defensive Coordinator Gary Patterson). We spent a whole hour with TREED (Cornerbacks Coach Trovon Reed) talking about what’s expected of him when he gets to campus, the potential that my son has of playing early, so he needs to come ready and be ready to grind.”
The elder Lang also couldn’t leave out one of the best parts of the visit, which is a recurring theme for every official visit USC puts on.
“ Oh I can’t forget about the food. We’ve been eating so much here! The staff man, they put on a great one’’.
I also spoke with Committed 3-Star LB Josiah Poyer, who attends St. John Bosco right here in Southern California. Poyer raved about his visit.
‘‘ Man, everything’s been great on this OV. The hospitality, respect, and just the love they show. Not just to me, but my family too. It definitely feels like they’re going all out for us; they got us at a nice place, too. It feels like a vacation with my family instead of an OV!’’
The USC coaching staff loves the highly touted linebacker from St. John Bosco. Poyer committed to USC over Cal and Notre Dame in late March of this year.
The Bigger Picture
The Trojans signed 35 high school recruits in the 2026 cycle. That number will be slashed by at least half for the 2027 class. USC currently holds thirteen verbal commitments and is looking to add two to three more recruits to put the finishing touches on its recruiting class before fall camp.
Final Thoughts
The first Official Visit of the year is in the books and appears to be a successful one for the Trojans. USC continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail and is positioning itself to assemble another elite recruiting class.
USC's staff entered the weekend looking to make a statement, and by all indications, they accomplished exactly that. The recruits leave campus remembering why they chose USC to be their home for the next three to four years. Lincoln Riley, Chad Bowden, and the rest of the staff will aim to carry this momentum into the coming weeks as official visit season continues.