In a recruiting saga that had college football fans glued to their screens, four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle, New Jersey’s top prospect and a top-100 national talent in the class of 2026, shocked the recruiting world by committing to the USC Trojans on Thursday, June 19, 2025, turning down Ohio State and other big-name programs. This huge win for USC head coach Lincoln Riley and his crew is a game-changer as they keep stacking talent for their 2026 class.
Wafle, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound beast from The Hun School in Princeton, New Jersey, chose USC over Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, and Florida. His commitment, shared across platforms like cleveland.com and On3, came after a crazy recruitment process that had fans on both sides holding their breath.
A Recruitment Rollercoaster
The chase for Wafle was a wild ride. After an official visit to USC the weekend of June 14-15, the Trojans seemed to have the edge. Word was Wafle was close to picking USC, and the program even canceled a visit from another top edge rusher, Trenton Henderson, feeling confident about Wafle’s choice.
But Ohio State, led by head coach Ryan Day, wasn’t going down without a fight. On Wednesday, June 18, recruiting guru Steve Wiltfong from On3 switched his prediction to Ohio State, hinting at a massive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal that pulled Wafle back toward the Buckeyes. With Ohio State closer to home and pushing hard, it looked like they might steal him.
USC, though, came back swinging. By Thursday morning, Wiltfong flipped his prediction again, this time to USC, after the Trojans sweetened their NIL offer, reportedly in the $2.2 to $2.6 million range over two years. That, paired with the buzz from Wafle’s recent visit and USC’s top-ranked 2026 class, sealed the deal.
Why USC?
Wafle’s choice came down to a few big reasons. During his USC visit, he hung out with eight other Trojan commits, vibing with the team and feeling at home. The coaching staff, especially defensive coordinator Chad Bowden, made it clear Wafle was their guy, painting a picture of him dominating early. Wafle himself said on On3’s commitment broadcast that USC’s all-in approach late in the game really stood out.
On the field, Wafle’s a perfect fit for USC. The Trojans have been desperate for a pass-rushing spark since Tuli Tuipulotu’s big 2022 season, and Wafle’s 53 tackles, 8 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss as a junior show he’s ready to step up. 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins compared him to Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer, calling him a “force” who could rack up tackles and make waves for a playoff contender.
Off the field, Wafle’s a leader. His high school coach, Todd Smith, raved about him as a “culture-changer” who pushes everyone to be tougher and better. That’s exactly the kind of player USC wants as they gear up to compete in the Big Ten.
What It Means for USC and Ohio State
For USC, landing Wafle is a massive flex, boosting their 2026 class to 30 commits and keeping them at the top of Rivals’ recruiting rankings. Wafle joins other stud defensive ends like Braeden Jones and Simote Katoanga, plus three-star athlete Andrew Williams, giving USC a scary-good defensive line group. With seven D-line commits, including top-100 guys like Simote Katoanga and Jaimeon Winfield, the Trojans are building a wall.
USC outdueling Ohio State, a recruiting giant, shows Riley’s program is back in a big way. Fans on X, like @FoundersEdits and @TrojansZone, were hyped, calling it “one of USC’s biggest gets in forever.”
For Ohio State, missing Wafle stings, especially after landing four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson earlier Thursday. With 16 commits, including defensive lineman Khary Wilder, the Buckeyes will bounce back, already eyeing other targets like four-star edge rusher Kevin “KJ” Ford for their weekend visits.
What’s Next for Wafle?
As the No. 85 player in the Rivals250 and the No. 6 defensive end in 2026, Wafle’s ready to make noise at USC. His final season at The Hun School gives him time to sharpen his game before hitting the Big Ten, where he’ll face tough competition. His older brother, Owen Wafle, a defensive tackle at Penn State, ties him to the conference, but Luke’s headed west to blaze his own trail.
Wafle’s choice also shines a light on how NIL is shaking up recruiting. Talk of a multi-million-dollar deal shows money’s a big factor, but USC’s vision for Wafle’s future sealed it. Fans on X buzzed about the NIL tug-of-war, but in the end, it was about more than cash.
A Bright Future in LA
Luke Wafle’s commitment to USC is a huge moment, proving the Trojans are a recruiting force again. As they prep for another Big Ten season, Riley’s building a squad ready to chase titles. With Wafle anchoring the defensive line, USC fans are dreaming big. Time to “Fight On!”