BREAKING: Class of 2026 DL Jake Johnson Commits to USC USC just landed a major piece for its 2026 class. Jake Johnson, a dominant 6’3”, 290-pound defensive lineman from Prosper, Texas, has officially committed to the Trojans. Johnson made the announcement Monday afternoon, choosing USC over a loaded final group that included SMU, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Vanderbilt. “I’m going back home,”

BREAKING: Class of 2026 DL Jake Johnson Commits to USC

USC just landed a major piece for its 2026 class.

Jake Johnson, a dominant 6’3”, 290-pound defensive lineman from Prosper, Texas, has officially committed to the Trojans. Johnson made the announcement Monday afternoon, choosing USC over a loaded final group that included SMU, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Vanderbilt.

“I’m going back home,” Johnson said in a short but powerful message—referring to his California roots and his deep family ties to the West Coast.

This commitment comes as a stunner to many, especially given the jaw-dropping offers he turned down. North Carolina, SMU, Wisconsin, and Vanderbilt had all gone all-in on Johnson, offering significant NIL backing and promising immediate roles on defense. But in the end, the pull of USC proved too strong.

Regarded as one of the most technically polished interior linemen in the class, Johnson has been rising fast up the recruiting boards. With a rare combination of size, leverage, and footwork, he’s expected to be a game-changer for the Trojans’ defensive front.

With Johnson now in the fold, USC continues to build one of the most quietly dangerous defensive classes in the 2026 cycle.