Danny Lang Commitment Lifts USC Recruiting Class Above Rival
The USC Trojans football received a significant boost to their recruiting rankings Wednesday night with the commitment of four-star cornerback Danny Lang.
USC has long been known for securing elite talent from Mater Dei High School in nearby Santa Ana, California, and that pipeline continued as Lang became the latest standout to join the Trojans’ 2027 class.
Lang chose USC over both the Oregon Ducks football and Ohio State Buckeyes football, marking another recruiting win over Oregon. Earlier in the month, four-star athlete Honor Fa’alave Johnson also committed to USC over the Ducks, further strengthening the Trojans’ California-based talent pool.
Ranked as the No. 7 cornerback in the nation and the No. 6 overall prospect in California by 247Sports, Lang adds another key piece to head coach Lincoln Riley’s 2027 recruiting efforts. After assembling the No. 1 class for 2026, Riley is looking to sustain that momentum, and Lang’s commitment suggests USC is continuing in that direction.
Following the addition of Lang, USC climbed to No. 6 in the 2027 recruiting rankings, according to On3, moving ahead of rival Notre Dame Fighting Irish football.
Lang joins an already strong group of commits that includes Johnson, as well as four-star wide receivers Quentin Hale and Eli Woodard—both California natives. In the secondary, four-star cornerback Aaryn Washington from IMG Academy could play a major role alongside Lang. Three-star defensive lineman Isaia Vandermade adds depth to what is shaping up to be an impressive class.
Still, elite recruiting alone won’t define USC’s success. Despite strong classes, the Trojans have yet to reach the College Football Playoff during Riley’s tenure. For many, that benchmark will determine whether these recruiting wins truly matter.
With the top-ranked 2026 class arriving this fall, expectations are rising that the upcoming season could be pivotal for Riley and the program. USC remains one of college football’s most storied programs without a CFP appearance, and fans are eager to see that change.
Riley has emphasized that Lang and other incoming recruits could be the missing pieces needed to push USC into championship contention.
The Trojans will kick off their 2026 season on Aug. 29 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against the San Jose State Spartans football.
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