New USC Commit Fires Off Stirring Message After Spurning Ohio State

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lorenzo J. Reyna | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 3:36 PM ET

USC added an extra talented layer to its top-ranked recruiting class Thursday. Even beating out defending national champion Ohio State for this four-star edge rusher.

Luke Wafle is the newest member of the 2026 Trojans class -- making his verbal decision on social media. Wafle, though, originally was predicted to land with the Buckeyes per Steve Wiltfong of On3. That changed immediately after his Father's Day weekend visit to the USC campus.

Wafle spurns the Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day for the No. 1 recruiting class. The towering rusher even earned comparisons to recent Buckeyes star pass rusher Jack Sawyer by 247Sports.

He's all in on the USC 2026 class. Wafle fired off this stirring message via Hayes Fawcett of On3 right after his verbal commitment.

"Fight on! Let’s go get this natty!" Wafle said, signaling his desire to bring a national title back to Los Angeles.

USC lures in the state of New Jersey's top-ranked prospect. Wafle stars for Hun School in Middletown and became a highly coveted prospect.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound edge rusher pulled in 30 total offers. Penn State was in the final mix for him too, Fawcett revealed. The Nittany Lions landed his older brother Owen via the transfer portal. PSU started to lose ground on landing Wafle on Saturday per 247Sports recruiting insider Tom Loy.

Andrew Ivins of 247Sports called Wafle a "tackle collector" and a defender who brings strength and power to will his way past the trenches. Wafle mostly lined up over offensive tackles as a six-technique. Ivins believes Wafle will be used in that gap look in college.

Wafle is now verbal commit No. 30 for head coach Lincoln Riley and his coaching staff. He's additionally one of eight incoming defensive linemen heading to USC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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