USC football class of 2026 highlighted on offense by Shahn Alston

There have been a lot of recruiting wins for USC football fans to be excited about. The upcoming class continues to look promising, and the class of 26 is off to a strong early start in the cycle. Deshonne Redeaux from Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California, is a promising in-state talent at the running back position.

Another RB from Ohio is not only excited to be a Trojan but is also looking to make an immediate impact. Shahn Alston plays his high school ball at Thomas W. Harvey High School in Painesville, OH. After picking the Cardinal and Red over Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State, the four-star athlete appears highly eager to take his skill set to the West Coast.

As shared by him on X, Alston is the highest-rated offensive recruit among the current juniors by ESPN. He will still have a senior season to complete, but will then be an early January enrollee for USC football. Position coach Anthony Jones Jr. and head coach Lincoln Riley have been very high on the Ohio high school player. Between him and Redeaux, the future in the RB room is looking very promising for the Trojans.

Watching his games, it's clear to see why there was a lot of competition from other Big Ten schools to solidify the eventual commitment. At 5'9", he has a good ability to use his center of gravity and speed to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. The system he is in asks him to make plays from a variety of packages.

True all-purpose RB coming to USC football

His current coaches utilize Alston in a number of ways to get the ball in his hands. From the toss to screens to simply running in between the tackles, he has a knack for minimally getting a first down. While first contact often isn't near enough to bring him down, his breakaway speed also allows him to turn what would be routine gains for everyone else into six.

Early Thursday morning, he took to social media to remind everyone where he will be playing at the next level and how good his incoming teammates will be. Seeing how talented Alston is, the USC football staff will enjoy the reminder. Although, if they had it their way, him potentially reclassifying and helping out against Missouri State in late August wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either.