Important USC commitment secured from 5-star OT Keenyi Pepe

The USC football team is on the right track back. Efforts from coach Lincoln Riley and the staff have focused on building relationships with prospective recruits early. Getting ahead of other schools before others has been a critical part of their recruiting successes. Thursday saw a critically important component of the program's vision come to fruition.

On3's Scott Schrader reported on X that Keenyi Pepe has committed to the Trojans. The five-star recruit played offensive tackle at IMG Academy. Offers and interest included Miami and Florida. Now joining coach Lincoln Riley and coach Zach Hanson, he'll look to continue his development.

The five-star player is not only one of the top linemen in the class of 2026 but also one of the best players in the nation as well. 247Sports lists him as the ninth-best high school athlete in the country for his class. He will have a strong push and has the needed skill set to make an immediate push in the trenches that coach Riley is asking for. 

Family and establishing genuine connections within the program are priorities for the Trojans. This commitment is even that much more significant considering who else is already on the roster. Kobe Pepe is a redshirt senior who plays on the defensive line for the Trojans.

Significant USC recruiting win

Now, the younger brother will join his older brother on campus. It is a great sign that USC was able to make a positive enough impression for the current IMG player to choose the Trojans over some of the other teams that were looking to add him to their locker room.

Many of the other commits and signees have expressed how much like family the staff makes the environment on campus feel. Being able to attract one of the top talents and pair him with his older brother is another strong indication of what is continuing to grow at USC on their current path back to the top of college football.