USC lands 2026 commit, bolstering top class

For the second time this week, the USC Trojans have added to their 2026 recruiting class. This time, it’s Jayden Crowder, a cornerback from Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and a former Cal Berkeley commit.

Crowder earned his scholarship offer from USC less than a week ago, making his flip all the more impressive. The Trojans managed to complete the offer, decommitment, and commitment cycle in under seven days, a clear indication that the program made a strong impression on the talented defensive back.

The reality behind this commitment is simple and that is USC needs help in the secondary. While the Trojans have looked dominant in most areas, the defensive backfield remains the biggest question mark for a team with championship aspirations. Adding Crowder who represents the seventh cornerback and 34th overall commit in the 2026 class marks another important step toward building the defensive depth USC needs to sustain success.

Crowder currently ranks as a three-star prospect and the No. 62 overall player in California. His commitment adds further separation for USC in the race for the top two spots of the 2026 team rankings. As things stand, it’s becoming increasingly likely that USC will finish with a top-two recruiting class, and if momentum holds, the Trojans could become the first non-SEC program to finish No. 1 in the recruiting rankings during the modern NIL era.