USC commit gets boost from On3 and pushes Trojans class into contention for top spot

The USC Trojans' recruiting momentum shows no signs of slowing down. While the 2027 class has been anchored by elite local talent, Lincoln Riley and his staff proved they can win on a national stage by securing a commitment from standout defensive lineman Mekai Brown last week.

This is a massive win from a rankings perspective: By landing his pledge, USC officially brings in the top-rated prospect from Connecticut for the 2027 cycle, further cementing their status as a powerhouse with coast-to-coast reach. Just receiving Brown's commitment was another major chip for the Trojans, but things got better when On3 named him a five-star prospect, elevating his ranking from 50th to 17th in the country.

Newest USC commit Mekai Brown is now a five-star prospect

At 6'6" and 235 pounds, the Greenwich Country Day standout brings an imposing physical presence to the Trojans' defensive front. USC had to fend off heavyweight competition to land him, as both Notre Dame and Ohio State made aggressive pushes for his signature.

Following his announcement, Brown highlighted a recurring theme among the 2027 class which is the allure of Los Angeles. The city's unique location and opportunities continue to serve as a primary selling point for Lincoln Riley’s staff.

On3 moves USC's 2027 recruiting class into the top five

USC currently boasts the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation and holds the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten. Brown is now one of the highest-ranked commit in the Trojans' 2027 cycle. The Trojans are currently behind Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma, but there is some nuance there because Oklahoma has nearly twice as many commits as USC. If Riley and staff continue to recruit at this high of a level, there's no question the Trojans will be in the picture for consecutive number-one classes. 

Brown is now one of the centerpieces of the class, joining elite in-state athletes Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, Quentin Hale and Danny Lang, all of whom are ranked at four-stars or higher through all the recruiting sites. 

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