Thomas Bender/ Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Shocking Stat About Keenyi Pepe Commitment To USC Trojans

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Dyrud | Last updated May 2, 2025 12:10 AM ET

Recruiting for the USC Trojans is at an all-time high, and the world of College Football is taking notice. After landing 4-star receiver Roderick Tezeno Jr. last night, this morning the Trojans gained perhaps their most important commitment of the class.

5-star offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe announced that he is coming home and will be committing to USC.

Coming Back Home https://t.co/U8hZJhcfkD
— Pepe.Keenyi (@PKeenyi) May 1, 2025

While this commitment is huge for the 2026 class and for the future of the program, it also puts USC back on the map for recruiting high-profile offensive linemen.

Commitment Of Keenyi Pepe Makes History For USC Trojans

Shockingly, Pepe is the first 5-star offensive tackle commit since Austin Jackson all the way back in 2017. Even the historic 2018 class, which had six 5-star players, did not have a 5-star offensive lineman. That class finished 4th in the nation.

USC hasn’t landed a 5-star offensive tackle since the 2017 class (Austin Jackson) which means it’ll be a 9-year spread when Keenyi Pepe suits up for his 1st practice next season. Pepe is the most consequential recruit of a Trojan class now looking like one of USC’s best ever.
— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) May 1, 2025

Pepe is the 3rd-ranked offensive tackle in the 2026 class, according to 247 Sports. On3 Composite has him as the 5th-ranked OT.

The USC Trojans have had a long history of legendary offensive linemen. Alijah Vera-Tucker was a 4-star in the same class as Jackson, and both players would end up being first-round selections in the NFL Draft.

We have a long way to go till National Signing Day in December, but for now, the USC Trojans can celebrate the first 5-star offensive tackle since 2017. Pepe hopes to begin the trend and tradition of yearly 5-star offensive linemen.

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: