Recognized strong USC class of 2026 has its roots in elite position coaches

Coach Lincoln Riley and GM Chad Bowden receive a lot of deserved praise for the string of USC recruiting victories. In order for the program-wide approach to be successful, it also requires having a strong staff. Finding people who excel within their position groups and have a knack for securing talent is a rare combination.

An interesting undertaking from Super West Sports shows just how good this crop of coaches is at what they are doing in terms of bringing the top athletes in the country to campus. The website focuses on a variety of conferences and sports. They assembled something of a composite ranking system to evaluate how each individual coach in college football is as a recruiter. To no one's surprise, the Trojans hog most of the top spots on this list.

For a ranking that is evaluating the 'Top 25 Class of 2026 Football Recruiters in the West,' seven of the top 10 are Trojan coaches. At the top is coach Doug Belk. Coach Eric Henderson is in second, and coach Zach Hanson rounds out the podium.

This type of publication isn't necessarily meant to be an apples-to-apples comparison among all schools. It is, however, telling that a neutral site consistently has USC staff members above most of the region's. More importantly, it shows how strongly positioned the Trojans are for the class of 2026.

Coach Riley has repeatedly mentioned how establishing clear lines of communication with recruits is most important. This is impossible for any single person to be solely responsible for. While the HC and GM will receive their fair share of praise in this department, it is often the position coaches that play the biggest factor when athletes ultimately make their decision.

After what must have been something of an autopsy of the program, coach Riley has made it a concerted effort to attract high-level athletes to USC earlier in the recruiting process. It is a renewed emphasis that will yield its fruit down the line. Unlike the microwave approach, it is something that will take time.

Inherent risk on the job for USC head coach

The Trojan HC is undoubtedly taking something of a risk. He knows that the hot seat can become on fire in a hurry in this business. Wins for recruiting classes two or three years from now won't help him in 2025.

Coach Riley is betting on himself and his staff. He believes in what they are building at USC. With the current talent on the roster and a couple more losses going in his favor, he'll ensure his stay for when the seeds of the 2026 and 2027 classes reward him for his steadfast approach to sustainable excellence.