Watch: USC Trojans Recruit Luke Wafle Shows Off Explosive Athleticism With One-Arm Windmill Dunk

The play is more than just a viral moment. It offers a glimpse into the kind of natural athleticism that complements Wafle’s physical tools as a defensive lineman. His evaluation has long centered around his motor and brute strength, but this video challenges the narrative that he lacks top-tier quick-twitch athleticism. In fact, Wafle’s three-sport background, including his junior season on the hardwood, where he averaged 11.1 points per game, paints a more complete picture of the kind of athlete USC is getting.

A standout at the Hun School in Princeton, New Jersey, Wafle is recognized as a forceful edge rusher who consistently collects tackles at the line of scrimmage and dominates with heavy hands and relentless effort. He doesn’t always win with initial burst off the snap, but his lateral movement and football IQ allow him to consistently beat cutoffs and make plays in the trenches.

Wafle played most of his junior season from a three-point stance in a four-man front, often matched up against offensive tackles. It’s the kind of physical, box-based football that suits his skill set.

What makes his upside particularly intriguing is the combination of his frame and athletic background. His older brother, Owen, currently plays defensive line at Penn State after originally signing with Michigan. Their father, David, was a defensive lineman at Duke in the 1990s.

That lineage, paired with Luke’s current physical profile, gives USC defensive line coach Eric Henderson plenty to work with as the Trojans continue assembling one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.

Wafle committed to USC over Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, and Florida earlier this June. He was part of a massive official visit weekend that included top-tier defensive talent like Talanoa Ili and Tomuhini Topui, both of whom are now fellow Trojan commits. Wafle’s decision added even more depth to what’s already considered one of the strongest defensive line hauls in the country.

While the Trojans are still battling to secure final pieces for their 2026 class, Wafle stands out as a prospect who could develop into a difference-maker at the college level. His frame, technique, and football IQ were already enough to earn him national recognition. Now, with a viral dunk to his name, he’s reminding people that his ceiling might be even higher than previously thought.

For USC fans, the takeaway is simple: they’re not just getting a tough, smart, and physical defensive end. They’re getting an explosive athlete, one who’s ready to bring energy on Saturdays and continue building a championship-caliber defense in Los Angeles.