NIL has shaken the entire college football structure like no other. From Nico Iamaleava to Bryce Underwood, athletes from the top-tier belt aligned themselves perfectly with the trend, making the idealists realise how money has the last word. USC, too, has boasted a solid recruiting class for the 2025 and 2026 cycles. But, of course, they didn’t do it without a backbone made of NIL.
Trojans’ head coach Lincoln Riley flexes a class of 2026 containing 27 commitments, which feature one five-star and 16 four-star recruits. USC had an upper hand over five-star cornerback Elbert Hill with the class of 2026 as well. But Hill reclassified to join the class of 2025. Of the 27 commitments, 63 percent swooped from in-state, a classic Chad Bowden strategy that did wonder. USC is bolstering its roster minutely and carefully. After all, they strive to get back on the map of the College Football Playoff contention for the upcoming years. It’s a do-or-die for Riley after an average 7-6 in his first year in the newly expanded Big 10.
CFB critic Paul Finebaum has multiple times bashed the HC for not being able to turn around the program. In fact, several veterans think a minimum bowl eligibility can only save Riley’s chair at USC. But the school is learning the trend, building the ground zero asset first. “USC cannot be taken lightly in any blue-chip recruitment. Now, the Trojans, they’re going to a system where if you commit to USC, you can no longer take visits. So Xavier Griffin five-star linebacker from the Peach State, he was one that wanted to continue through his process. Could USC have wanted out in the end? Who knows,” said Steve Wiltfong on On3, spilling a major relief for the Trojans fans, “But they’re no longer in the picture for Xavier Griffin. But from an NIL standpoint, the most powerful program in college football right now.”
Wiltfong continued backing up his claim, bringing up Chad Bowden’s example. The Trojans’ current general manager sits as the No. 12 recruit in the nation, the No. 1 tight end, and the No. 2 recruit in California, as per the On3 Industry Ranking. Top-tier schools like the Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs, and others, were strongly lurking behind to get a taste of him. But Riley and his staff didn’t let the money slip. Bowden was signed to an annual $8 to 10 million salary deal for the job.
However, despite all the big money buckets, USC simply needs to perform this year. If the talents they snagged won’t be able to get them a redemption year, it would be a disaster. But come on, you can’t move past the NIL success Riley’s squad has bagged. Not just as the collective, but as their individual commitments as well.
USC’s 2025 commit sets the NIL market on fire
When asked about 2025 Trojan commit Waymond Jordan, Lincoln Riley said during spring practices: “Waymond’s really compact, really kind of moves effortlessly, and obviously a ton of production at [Hutchinson Community College]. He brings a real explosive aspect to the room.” After setting foot into USC in January, Jordan had a tremendous spring camp. He battled for touches with Eli Sanders and veteran Bryan Jackson.
With former lead rusher Woody Marks, who moved on with the NFL, Jordan clearly had the edge to steal the spotlight, and he didn’t let that go to waste. But that’s just not it. On and off the field, Jordan chose to stand out. A wheeled leg and a sharp personality make him a brand of the business.
So, the rising Trojan signed a NIL deal with C4 Energy, a company that housed stars like Quinn Ewers, Zachariah Branch, etc. It speaks enough of the value he’s bringing to the table. But again, he should go out and perform on August 30, and so is his team; otherwise, every other glory will turn out a cheap solace.
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