A sleeping giant has awakened. That’s the vibe echoing around USC this offseason. Forget the whispers of the past—Los Angeles is buzzing with an electric energy. Spring practice feels different, supercharged by a top-tier recruiting class, impact transfers ready to make their mark, and the return of coaching legend Rob Ryan. But the real game-changer, the one who’s truly flipped the script? Nope, not Riley. According to national analyst J.D. PicKell, it’s none other than Chad Bowden. The former Notre Dame general manager’s arrival wasn’t just an addition; it was the spark the Trojans desperately needed to reignite their championship aspirations.
On the March 29th episode of On3, PicKell delved into why Bowden’s addition is so significant, stating, “Chad Bowden is a few months removed from being in a situation where he could have won a national championship with Notre Dame. He was on the doorstep of doing that. He did not have to go to USC. It was not something that he was forced to do from a career move. He did that willingly.” This kind of deliberate commitment, PicKell suggests, is program-altering, and USC is already feeling the positive repercussions.
PicKell didn’t just offer his opinion; he pointed to tangible evidence of Bowden’s impact. “And there’s a great interview from—I believe it’s, like, the official USC football or USC athletics YouTube page—just sitting down, talking game with Chad Bowden, and it’s really insightful. But when you listen to him speak, he gets USC,” PicKell noted. More than just a new hire, Bowden understands the program’s culture, its lofty expectations, and, crucially, how to guide USC back to prominence.
The national analyst emphasized this point throughout the winter and spring: it matters who you bring in. Now what sets Chad Bowden apart? His passion, his understanding, and a genuine connection to USC. “But Chad Bowden talks about how he grew up a USC fan, how he grew up watching Matt Leinart ball. He understands what USC can be when it’s firing on all cylinders,” PicKell explained.
Chad Bowden, a proven recruiting talent who took over as USC’s general manager on January 24th, isn’t just building a team; he’s reigniting a legacy. Before joining the Trojans, he built four consecutive top-12 recruiting classes (2022-2025) at Notre Dame and played a key role in their journey to the 2024 national title game. His exceptional work earned him the 2024 FootballScoop Player Personnel Director of the Year award. Now at USC, Bowden is poised to inject that same championship-caliber energy into the program.
Trojans’ NIL power surge
PicKell highlighted how USC’s improved NIL standing further underscores Lincoln Riley’s recruiting prowess, stating that the Trojans aren’t just competing in the NIL era; they’re setting a new benchmark. While USC initially struggled to adapt to the NIL landscape, that has changed dramatically with Bowden’s arrival.
As PicKell aptly put it, “Okay, so you check that box. Great. Not holding them back? Resources… From what I understand, that is no longer something that holds USC back.” He further elaborated on USC’s inherent advantages: “You look at what Los Angeles is and where USC is located and the alumni—it should never hold USC back.” USC has always possessed the foundational elements for success—the brand, the history, the prime location—and now, with the added firepower of NIL and a strategic recruiting mind like Bowden, they are positioned to dominate. “Talk about an era where you can pay college football players. One of the most major cities in America? You should dominate on the NIL front, and I think they’re a lot closer to doing that,” PicKell asserted.
The Trojans aren’t just playing the NIL game; they’re crushing it. In the 2025 class, five-star signees like Husan Longstreet and Jahkeen Stewart are already raking in some of the top NIL deals, pushing the team’s average to a solid $101K for that group. But get this – for the 2026 cycle, just months after key moves, they’ve shot up to the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, and their average NIL deal is a whopping $154K!
Beyond NIL, PicKell pointed to Lincoln Riley’s comprehensive plan: “You have one of the best offensive minds as your head coach, and you now have an NFL-level defensive coordinator overseeing your defensive staff. Like, you have what you need there when it comes to staff pedigree.” D’Anton Lynn’s NFL experience, coupled with Riley’s offensive genius, is proving to be a powerful magnet for elite recruits.
PicKell concluded by emphasizing that while USC’s recruiting vehicle always had immense potential—“a big engine, always had a lot of horsepower”–the issue was “we can’t totally get this thing into the right gear. We also, once we get it into gear, we’re not able to have the proper direction, proper steering.” But now, with a focused and talented team led by their head coach, general manager, and coaching staff, the Trojans have their foot firmly on the gas, finally steering toward their former glory.
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