USC football recruiting: Trojan commit projected to flip to rival

USC football could lose a commit if a recent prediction is to be believed.

Is USC football in danger of Notre Dame flipping the script and stealing back a 2021 recruiting prospect?

According to Tom Loy of 247Sports, the possibility is very real when it comes to four-star cornerback Philip Riley.

Loy put in a projection in the 247Sports Crystal Ball on Tuesday morning, flipping Riley back to the Irish.

Phillip Riley committed to USC football in September

It’s been a wild few months for Riley. He decommitted from Notre Dame on Sept. 25 and was immediately projected to land with USC. He followed through on that on Sept. 28 when he announced his commitment to the Trojans.

The 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback hails from Valrico, Florida where he has started for Bloomingdale High School.

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The 247Sports composite ranks him 288th nationally and 21st at cornerback.

Given his prior connection to Notre Dame, it makes sense for them to still pursue his signature. The trouble USC may run into is the sheer volume of their defensive back class for 2021. The Trojans have a commitment from four-star cornerback Prophet Brown as well as four-star athletes Anthony Beavers and Jaylin Smith, who may project as corners at the next level.

On the plus side, that would mean losing one cornerback commit won’t doom the class. On the downside, letting a talented prospect go to a hated rival is never a good option.

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Cornerbacks coach Donte Williams is a top-tier recruiter, so it’ll take a lot for the Irish to cut into that relationship, but it should be interesting as the recruiting cycle nears its completion.

Phillips is expected to be an early enrollee for the class of 2021, so there isn’t much time left to battle for his favor. The race is on.