USC lands 5-star cornerback RJ Sermons early with 2025 reclassification

Anyone asking why USC is making inroads on the recruiting trail so early in the decision-making process for student-athletes just saw one reason why on Friday. Five-star commit RJ Sermons reclassified from the class of 2026 to this year's class and will be joining the Trojans in July, as reported by 247Sports Network's Senior Analyst Gerard Martinez.

It is a good cornerback room as is, but between the nickel and dime packages, plus special teams, CB is one of those positions that there cannot ever be too many bodies at.

Sermons will look to compete with soon-to-be teammates DJ Harvey, Prophet Brown, DeCarlos Nicholson, and Marcelles Williams, among others, currently on the Trojan roster.

The Rancho Cucamonga High School corner has been committed to USC since December of last year. Rated as the top corner in the c/o 26, his reclassifying would still make him one of the elite talents at that position even when moved up a year and when comparing him to his other defensive counterparts throughout the nation.

Making the jump takes a degree of confidence and self-belief that not everyone has. It should also speak to how coach Lincoln Riley and coach D'Anton Lynn view Sermons as a talent.

Reclassifying and taking away a high school year of development would be a major concern for some. His doing so and being set to walk on campus this fall as a student-athlete shows that they believe in his ability to handle the enhanced level of physical play and toughness, despite being at least a full year younger than everyone else.

For those that can handle the demands, however, being able to join sooner can help the growth potential. With an extra year in the program and his body still developing, there is a lot of upside to look forward to with Sermons as a talent.

Freshman slated for immediate USC impact

As mentioned, he will be looking to compete for playing time as a corner. Part of this move could also be explained by him potentially making an impact on special teams as a returner.

An all-around athlete, he has the speed and vision to potentially be an option for USC to turn to in the return game this year.

Either way, despite a lot of outside people making extra noise about how things are not going well for the Trojan program, this should only further show how well coach Riley is building things in Los Angeles, as he and now Sermons will look to compile wins in USC's second year in the Big Ten.