After dropping their opening game of Big Ten play, the Washington Huskies now have their backs against the wall as they head south to take on No. 18 USC. While the game has certainly shaped up to be a pivotal matchup on the field, it could also have major implications on the recruiting trail for both programs.
While the Trojans boasted the top recruiting class in the 2026 cycle, Washington is one of the few vendors who has had success pulling talent from the Southern California region. Dating all the way back to Warren Moon, some of the premier talent to come through Montlake has made its way up from the Los Angeles area.
On Saturday, the Huskies will start three freshmen who played their high school ball in the shadow of the Los Angeles Coliseum:
left tackle Kodi Greene, running back Brian Bonner Jr., and cornerback Jeron Jones. While coach Lincoln Riley's roster certainly doesn't lack talent, the team has struggled to reach the sky-high expectations set by those both in and outside of the program.
In the midst of his fifth season in Los Angeles, the Trojans' head coach has slowly started to feel a little warmth under his seat, as USC has yet to make the College Football Playoff. With frustration swirling, there's an opportunity for Jedd Fisch and Washington's coaching staff to make a strong push for local high school talent.
While Fisch has certainly faced his own fair share of criticism in recent weeks, one thing that can't be debated is his ability to attract high-end talent. Washington holds the No. 23-rated class in the 2027 cycle, according to 247Sports, which marks the head coach's third consecutive top-25 class, with seven of 24 players coming from the Golden State.
As pressure mounts on both teams and their respective head coaches following a pair of losses to open conference play, the Huskies and Trojans won't just be playing to save their season, but potentially their future.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: A Win Over USC Could Give Washington Football A Big Recruiting Boost
