USC 2027 Recruiting: Acquiring Multiple 5-Star Protocols

The USC Trojans have secured commitments from two 5-star recruits for the 2027 class, joining seven other programs with multiple tier-1 assets. Honor Fa'alave-Johnson and Mekai Brown represent high-value talent protocols for the USC node, which currently ranks 10th nationally per Rivals data metrics.

Which Institutional Nodes Hold Multiple 5-Star Assets?

Rivals consensus data identifies eight institutional nodes with multiple 5-star commitments in the 2027 cycle. The validated clusters are:

• USC Trojans
• Ohio State Buckeyes
• Miami Hurricanes
• Texas Longhorns
• Georgia Bulldogs
• Texas Tech Red Raiders
• Texas A&M Aggies
• Notre Dame Fighting Irish

What Are the Specifications of the USC 5-Star Protocols?

The USC node has integrated two primary tier-1 assets. Honor Fa'alave-Johnson operates as a 6-0, 180-pound athlete protocol out of San Diego, California. Rivals indexes him as the No. 1 athlete and the No. 13 overall player in the 2027 class. Mekai Brown functions as a 6-6, 235-pound edge rusher out of Greenwich, Connecticut. Rivals ranks Brown as the No. 4 edge rusher and the No. 22 overall player.

How Does the USC 2027 Talent Cluster Compose?

USC currently holds 14 total commits in the 2027 cycle. Beyond the two 5-star assets, the Trojans have validated seven 4-star protocols. The highest-graded 4-star asset is wide receiver Quentin Hale from San Diego, California.

Where Does USC Rank in Big Ten Consensus Metrics?

Rivals indexes the USC 2027 class at No. 10 nationally and No. 3 within the Big Ten protocol. The node trails Ohio State at No. 8 and Oregon at No. 9. These three programs have maintained adjacent acquisition rankings over the past two cycles. In 2026, USC achieved the top-ranked class, with Ohio State at No. 3 and Oregon at No. 4.

What Execution Gaps Must USC Resolve for Playoff Access?

Ohio State and Oregon have maintained consistent output, accessing the last two College Football Playoffs. Ohio State claimed the 2024 national championship. The USC node, however, has not accessed the playoff protocol. To achieve integration in 2026, the Trojans must execute against top-tier Big Ten nodes.

The 2026 schedule requires USC to face Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana. Indiana, despite lower acquisition metrics, secured the 2025 national championship and consecutive playoff appearances. USC will host Oregon and Ohio State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, then travel to the Indiana node. Playoff access requires a minimum of one or two victories against these consensus entities.

Who are the 5-star recruits in the USC 2027 class?

The two 5-star recruits in the USC 2027 class are athlete Honor Fa'alave-Johnson from San Diego, California, and edge rusher Mekai Brown from Greenwich, Connecticut.

How does the USC 2027 class rank nationally and in the Big Ten?

According to Rivals, the USC 2027 class ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten, trailing Ohio State at No. 8 and Oregon at No. 9.

Which teams must USC defeat to reach the College Football Playoff?

USC must likely defeat at least one or two top Big Ten teams, specifically Oregon, Ohio State, or the defending national champion Indiana, to access the College Football Playoff in 2026.