USC head coach Lincoln Riley is building an extremely strong 2026 recruiting class, and it just got even stronger.
If in-state recruiting is vital, even for a program like USC, landing the recruits who are literally in your backyard is even more important.
That’s what makes the commitment of three-star linebacker Taylor Johnson such a big one for Riley and USC. Johnson is from San Bernardino, California, and goes to Cajon High School. That’s a two-hour drive from USC in LA’s infamous rush hour traffic.
Johnson had 12 intriguing offers, so he could have chosen a number of places to call home in college, but he decided to stay near home and play for the Trojans.
