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Updated Recruiting Rankings Feature New No. 1 Team After 5-Star Prospect’s Commitment

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated May 31, 2025 5:34 PM ET

Class of 2026 recruiting rankings feature a new leader after a major addition over the weekend.

Head coach Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers previously led On3's rankings in the 2026 cycle, with the majority of the talent coming from Louisiana.

That group is headlined by a pair of five-stars in wide receiver Tristen Keys and defensive lineman Richard Anderson. Of LSU's nine commitments to date, six hail from the talent-rich state of Louisiana.

Similarly, USC and head coach Lincoln Riley have dominated their region. And the Trojans' latest recruiting win from the state of California put the program back on top in the 2026 class.

USC entered the weekend with a nation's-leading 26 commits before adding arguably its most notable piece on Friday in five-star tight end Mark Bowman.

Bowman (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) plays for high school powerhouse Mater Dei in Santa Ana, California. He ranks as the No. 1 player at the position, the No. 2 player in the state and the No. 15 player in the class, per On3 industry.

Bowman not only propelled USC back to the top of the 2026 cycle, he also marks the 17th recruit from the state of California to commit to the Trojans in the same class. It's clear Riley and Co. are prioritizing keeping the best players home.

The uber-talented group is led by Bowman, four-star cornerback Elbert Hill, four-star offensive lineman Keenyi Pepe and four-star EDGE Simote Katoanga.

There is still a wealth of time remaining for more additions. However, half the battle is keeping the committed talent in the fold. That challenge has plagued the Trojans in the past.

All things considered, though, this recruiting surge could very well be a new era at USC as the program attempts to bounce back from a underwhelming 7-6 campaign in 2024.

The Trojans currently lead the country with LSU, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Georgia rounding out the top five.

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

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