Local 2026 cornerback Joshua Holland commits to USC football
USC football is staying in the spotlight for the 2026 recruiting class, as they secured a commitment from three-star cornerback Joshua Holland from Bellflower, California, on Monday. Holland is the second recent addition for the 2026 class, following five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin from Georgia, who committed on Saturday.
Holland is the fifth commitment for USC’s 2026 class, which is currently ranked No. 3 nationally.
WHO ELSE WAS INVOLVED?
Holland received fewer than a dozen offers but was pursued by several notable programs, including Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Utah, and Washington. Although he was offered by the previous coaching staff, defensive backs coach Doug Belk and the new team made significant strides in his recruitment during a big unofficial visit over the summer.
“My visit to USC was one of the best I’ve had,” Holland shared with USCFootball.com. “The visit included a tour, meeting the staff, and building relationships with the coaches.”
At that time, Holland indicated that the Trojans were among his top three choices, competing with Oklahoma, Washington, Georgia, and LSU.
WHERE JOSHUA HOLLAND FITS WITH USC
The Trojans are actively recruiting defensive backs for the 2026 class, with Holland being their third cornerback commit, all hailing from Southern California. At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, he fits the profile of the taller cornerbacks the coaching staff is targeting. Holland plays for the powerhouse St. John Bosco and is expected to elevate his performance as he takes on a larger role in the Braves’ defense, having recorded 10 tackles over seven games.
Along with Holland, the class includes four-star California cornerback Brandon Lockhart, three-star California wide receiver Tron Baker, and three-star California cornerback Madden Riordan. Holland’s commitment helps to fill the spot left by four-star Florida cornerback Dominick Kelly, who decommitted earlier on Monday.
WHERE JOSHUA HOLLAND RANKS AS A RECRUIT
Holland, standing at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, is ranked as the No. 37 cornerback prospect according to 247Sports. He is rated as the No. 367 overall prospect and the No. 29 cornerback in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
WHAT 247SPORTS SAYS ABOUT JOSHUA HOLLAND
Holland is an impressive two-way player, capable of contributing on both offense and defense. He plays cornerback and receiver, and with his size and potential for growth, he could also transition to safety in college. While he’s primarily being recruited as a cornerback, his height is appealing to college coaches. Weighing nearly 6-2 and 170 pounds, he possesses good athletic ability and natural instincts for coverage. He demonstrates solid ball skills and awareness and is effective at breaking on the ball. To compete with faster receivers in college, Holland will need to enhance his top-end speed, but he has ample time to develop. His size, athleticism, and skill set suggest a high ceiling, indicating he could be a high major Power 4 prospect with potential for an NFL career. – Greg Biggins
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