USC head coach Lincoln Riley is constructing an unbelievable 2026 recruiting class, and it simply obtained even higher in an enormous method, actually and figuratively.
Keenyi Pepe, a five-star offensive deal with recruit from IMG Academy in Florida, has dedicated to the Trojans. Pepe is 6-foot-7, 320 kilos and is ranked because the No. 3 offensive deal with within the 2026 class, in keeping with 247Sports. He is a literal massive dedication for Riley and the Trojans, however figuratively, he needs to be an enormous recruit as properly, contemplating the rankings.
Pepe was born and raised in California, so this dedication is a homecoming for him.Â
“Rising up, they had been my dream college,” Pepe had advised 247Sports of USC. “So far as recruiting, they’ve been so constant in recruiting me, particularly with communication. I am at all times getting to speak with (offensive line) coach (Zach) Hanson and (head) coach (Lincoln) Riley.”
There was some main competitors for Pepe’s dedication. Together with USC, Florida, Georgia, Miami and Texas had been within the operating.Â
He was on campus this previous weekend for a recruiting weekend, although, and that completely helped the Trojans. There’s additionally the truth that his cousin, Kobe Pepe, is a senior defensive lineman for the crew.
All of it made sense, and Riley’s 2026 class obtained a lot better because of this. Heading into Thursday, the Trojans had the top-ranked 2026 class within the nation, and Pepe’s dedication solely strengthens that rating.Â
With 25 laborious commits, Pepe will go down as Riley’s second five-star of the cycle, becoming a member of athlete/linebacker Xavier Griffin from Gainesville, Georgia.
