Well, it looks like the “Dash” effect is taking over CFB. The buzz surrounding the 2026 recruiting class is loud, with Mount Miguel High’s standout player, Brandon “Dash” Arrington, leading the way. As a five-star recruit, Arrington is meeting the high expectations placed on him. Numerous teams are eager to sign him, but the competition for the top spot keeps changing. And now, a new program is crashing the party—giving Dan Lanning and Mike Elko a serious headache.
Earlier this month, Arrington narrowed down his choices to six schools: Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, and USC. He has scheduled official visits to five of them, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion. According to the On3 RPM, Texas A&M is currently in the lead, but Arrington’s recent visit to USC has shaken up the race, putting pressure on the other teams.
Talking about his visit, recruiting and transfer portal expert Steve Wiltfong spilled the tea behind it on the On3 Recruits, making USC a serious threat to the other teams eyeing Brandon Arrington. As he says, “Well, the Trojans remain one of the top contenders for one of the most coveted in-state targets. Brandon Dash Arrington Jr.: I spoke with his father after the visit. They really enjoyed getting back around defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, one of the defensive back coaches, Doug Belk, and then Coach Riley. All three of them are very pivotal in this recruitment and keeping Arrington home.” That’s a straight-up fact. Home ground is a major factor in the recruitment.
Let’s face it: D’Anton Lynn isn’t simply USC’s defensive coordinator—he’s the architect of a remarkable defensive glow-up in college football. In just one year, he dramatically improved USC’s defense, reducing opponents’ average score from 34.4 points per game in 2023 to 24.1 points in 2024. That’s exactly what Wiltfong highlighted, saying, “But the coaching man, I mean, Coach D’Anton Lynn, his track record, what he did at UCLA, what he was able to help accomplish in year one at USC, and his NFL experience, that pedigree has USC in a great position.” USC’s defense has shown significant improvement, moving up to 21st nationally in total defense. They have excelled in third-down stops, ranking second in the Big Ten, with a vast improvement from 106th in 2023.
So it’s no shock that USC is going all in to land Arrington. 247Sports’ Greg Biggins put it, Arrington is “one of the fastest sprinters in the country,” boasting impressive times of 10.43 in the 100 meters and 20.76 in the 200 meters. We all know speed is a game-changer in college football, and USC is keenly aware of this fact. This outstanding performance has made him a highly sought-after prospect for top programs. On3 has ranked him as the 12th overall player and the top cornerback in the class of 2026, solidifying his status as one of California’s top recruits. USC faces tough competition, as other elite programs are also vying for Arrington’s talents.
Another CFB giant impresses Brandon Arrington
Now, there are plenty of top contenders who are not shying away from the competition for Brandon Arrington. His official visit schedule is set, and he is hitting the road—Penn State on May 2, Texas A&M on June 6, Alabama on June 13, USC on June 17, and Oregon on June 20. But here’s the surprise: Alabama is leaving the biggest impression. Yes, you heard that correctly. It’s not the Aggies or Oregon, but Alabama. Unexpected, right?
Now, talking about Brandon Arrington’s inclination towards Bama, Steve Wiltfong says, “Alabama blew him away when he was down there. You know they have two California natives starting at cornerback for them. He felt like he really fit in around Alabama’s defensive back room and in that program; getting around Georgia and just seeing why they’re successful year in and year out and being part of that legacy was exciting to him.” Despite a rough 9-4, no one can deny the fact that Alabama is tough competition for other teams.
But it all comes down to the point of which team is actually making an impact on Brandon Arrington. As his opinions keep changing after every other visit. And that’s exactly what Wiltfong said: “We’ve kind of pivoted to Oregon rather than Alabama, and I think that just means that he likes everybody; it’s a legit top five, and when he gets on these campuses and gets around these programs that have so much to sell on and off the football field, he falls in love again, you know, and so I think it’ll be interesting to see how this recruitment takes shape.”
Now, let’s just wait and see who finally calls dibs at Brandon Arrington!
The post Fresh Intel Confirms New 5-star Brandon Arrington Frontrunner as Dan Lanning & Mike Elko Receive Upsetting Recruiting News appeared first on EssentiallySports.