How Mater Dei HS pipeline re-established USC recruiting in California

June 23, 2026

By Luke Perez, USC Trojans on SI: When Lincoln Riley arrived at Southern Cal in 2022, he relied on Oklahoma transfers and the previous class recruited by the former staff. Then from 2023 through 2024, Riley relied heavily on the transfer portal which resulted in incomplete rosters and disappointing seasons.

By 2025, Riley’s recruiting process began to change. With the help of general Manager Chad Bowden, the Trojans refocused on California, chose long-term players from high school over short-term portal fixes and rebuilt relationships with power-house, in-state programs. The strongest pipeline established has been with Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).

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How Mater Dei Pipeline Re-Established USC Recruiting in California

When Lincoln Riley arrived at Southern Cal in 2022, he relied on Oklahoma transfers and the previous class recruited by the former staff. Then from 2023 through

USC Trojans On SI

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