Lincoln Riley Sends Message on 'Overshadowed' USC 2025 Class

Can USC's 2025 Class Outshine the Hype of '26?

The USC Trojans are making waves in college football recruiting with their stellar classes, especially their highly-touted 2026 group which once held the No. 1 spot nationally. But is head coach Lincoln Riley's 2025 class getting overshadowed by its younger counterpart?

"Overshadowed" — The Challenge for USC's 2025 Freshmen

Riley addressed this question directly at Big Ten Media Days, acknowledging the public focus on the 2026 group, which boasts five-star recruits Keenyi Pepe (tackle), Mark Bowman (tight end), and former Oregon four-star commits Jonas Williams (quarterback) and Tomuhini Topui (defensive lineman).

"I think there has been so much excitement about the '26 class, and in some ways, maybe publicly, it's overshadowed some of these guys," Riley stated via 247Sports.

Riley's Confidence in His Incoming Talent

Despite the perceived shadow, Riley remains confident in his 2025 recruits. "But I think once you see these guys get on the field, once you watch 'em play this season and beyond, I don't think that will exist as much," he said. "We're very proud of that class."

The coach highlighted the impact several players from the 2025 class have already made during spring practices. Five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet pushed Jayden Maiava for the starting QB position, and Riley acknowledged ongoing competition in the room. Jahkeem Stewart, another standout freshman, is expected to contribute immediately on the defensive line this fall.

A Deep Look at USC's 2025 Class

The Trojans landed 25 signings in the last cycle, including four-star tackles Alex Payne and Aaron Dunn, and four-star defensive backs Trestin Castro and Alex Graham. USC's 2025 class currently ranks 13th nationally according to 247Sports.

This fall promises to be an exciting one for USC as both their 2025 and 2026 classes take the field, ready to prove their worth.