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Lincoln Riley is steadily turning things around at USC, and the Trojans have added another top recruit to their 2026 class. According to On3 Sports, after a short period of consideration, USC secured a commitment from four-star edge rusher Simote Katoanga.
According to 247 Sports, Katoanga—recognized as a top-100 recruit—is ranked as the sixth-best defensive lineman in his class. He stands as the third-highest-rated prospect in Riley’s expanding 2026 class, following Xavier Griffin and RJ Sermons. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound standout recently finished his junior season at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, which is located roughly an hour from USC’s Los Angeles campus.
According to 247 Sports, Katoanga—widely regarded as a top-100 prospect—ranks as the sixth-best defensive lineman in his class and is the third-highest-rated recruit in Riley’s expanding 2026 class, behind only Xavier Griffin and RJ Sermons. The 6‑foot‑5, 240‑pound standout recently completed his junior season at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, located about an hour from USC’s Los Angeles campus.
Katoanga chose the Trojans over numerous Power Five offers. He even visited Notre Dame and Clemson before ultimately deciding to stay local and commit to USC, despite receiving Big Ten offers from Michigan State, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
This latest commitment is part of Riley’s clear strategy to strengthen the Trojans’ defense during the offseason. Shortly after the close of 2024, he brought longtime NFL assistant Rob Ryan onto his defensive staff, and USC also made several significant defensive signings through the 2025 college football transfer portal.
Katoanga, widely recognized as a top-100 recruit, is ranked as the sixth-best defensive lineman in his class by 247 Sports and stands as the third-highest-rated prospect in Lincoln Riley’s burgeoning 2026 class—only behind Xavier Griffin and RJ Sermons. The 6‑foot‑5, 240‑pound standout just finished his junior season at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, located roughly an hour from USC’s Los Angeles campus.
He chose to commit to the Trojans despite receiving numerous offers from Power Five programs. After visits to Notre Dame and Clemson, Katoanga decided to stay local with USC, even though he also had Big Ten offers from Michigan State, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
This commitment is Riley’s latest effort to strengthen the Trojans’ defense in the offseason. Shortly after the close of 2024, Riley brought longtime NFL assistant Rob Ryan onto his defensive staff and made significant moves in the 2025 college football transfer portal, securing several notable defensive players.
Amid a rebuilding phase following a disappointing 2024 season—marked by a 7-6 overall record and a 4-5 record in the Big Ten—USC has faced numerous challenges. The Trojans struggled with the loss of former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and a tough transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. In a further sign of the turmoil, Riley ended the season by benching Williams’ successor, Miller Moss, in favor of former Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jayden Maiava.
The 2024 season is poised to be yet another year of upheaval, continuing an unwelcome cycle. Even though Maiava started the final four games, USC is set to begin the new season with its third different starting quarterback in as many years.
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