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USC Trojans just did the ultimate strategic maneuver to help them close the gap to their biggest 2026 recruiting rival

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated Feb 22, 2025 1:23 AM ET

2024 wasn't very kind to the USC Trojans and their football program when it was all said and done. Well, they did finish with a bowl win over Texas A&M, but, they would have rather been competing for a New Year's Six Bowl in the College Football Playoffs. Instead, they had a very underwhelming season hindered by hot starts in games and unable to finish strong in the second half.

If they did what they're supposed to, we may be talking about a two or three-loss football team in 2024. But, it's football, and because of the shape of the ball, it doesn't always bounce your way. Now, it's on to 2025, where the Trojans have the 15th overall 2025 class coming in. Now, that's exciting, but the real excitement is in 2026, with a monster class that head coach Lincoln Riley is putting together.

And, their class just got even better, as they are really starting to close the gap on the top team in the country for 2026.

According to On3, the Trojans have the second-best class in 2026 with 10 players committed. The No. 1 team, in 2026 is the Oregon Ducks, who are over USC off the strength of a five-star recruit alone. Now, after the Trojans just did what's far too common in today's college football world, they have closed the gap and are breathing down the Ducks' neck.

USC Trojans flip 2026 QB Jonas Williams

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One of the reasons Oregon's class was as good as it was, but not the only reason, was because of the four-star quarterback they had committed. Jonas Williams is one of the very best quarterbacks in the 2026 class, and he was committed to the Ducks. On Friday, he flipped to the Trojans.

Jonas Williams is a four-star quarterback from the class of 2026 and one of the best high school football players in the country. He plays for Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois, where he’s 6’3” and 195 pounds. Recruiting sites like 247Sports and On3 rank him highly—On3 has him as the No. 6 QB nationally and No. 1 in Illinois, while 247Sports lists him as No. 8 among QBs and No. 93 overall.

Williams transferred to Lincoln-Way East before his junior year from Bolingbrook High School. In his junior year with Lincoln-Way East in 2024, he led the team to an 11-0 record heading into the state semifinals, passing for almost 3,000 yards, 42 touchdowns, and rushing for over 400 yards with seven touchdowns.

Williams first committed to Oregon in August 2024 because he liked their coach Dan Lanning and their offense. With his skills, Williams could start for years at a big college program and has a shot at the NFL down the road. However, we also have to remember that 2025 five-star QB Hussan Longstreet is likely to be on campus then, too.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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