Three five-star recruits led one of the strongest classes in the country as the USC Trojans 2025 recruiting class got off to a great start. Julian Lewis’ dedication to the Trojans is called into question as Isaiah Gibson and Justus Terry, two of those recruits, have now withdrawn their commitments.
On August 22, 2023, Lewis, a five-star prospect according to most, committed to USC. For the Trojans football team, it was a historic day when Lincoln Riley predicted that the best quarterback prospect will succeed Caleb Williams in the end.
Lewis, a native of Georgia, is still committed to USC. The 6-foot-1 quarterback is leaving his options open, though, and it appears that his projected program of choice is changing. Recruiting projections have changed along with visits to Auburn (June 14) and Colorado (June 21).
USC’s chances of maintaining Lewis as a committed student are only 19.3% according to the On3.com recruiting prediction system. It is ranked second, after only the Georgia Bulldogs (23.8%), Auburn Tigers (12.8%), and Alabama Crimson Tide (10.7%).
Julian Lewis statistics at MaxPreps: 140.1 QB rating, 3,094 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns, 66.4% completion percentage, and 2 interceptions.
In light of all that has transpired thus far, it is worthwhile to identify prospective USC Trojans targets in the event that Lewis withdraws this summer.
QB Bryce Underwood is a committed LSU Tiger.
The rumor that Lincoln Riley once rejected Bryce Underwood is now well known. It’s undoubtedly a declaration of how much Julian Lewis is loved by the USC Trojans coaching staff, but it also shows how eager really talented quarterbacks are to be a part of Riley’s scheme.
Both On3.com and 247 Sports rank Underwood as the best player in the entire 2025 recruiting class, making him the top-ranked quarterback recruit in the nation. Underwood is now committed to LSU Tigers, but if Lewis decommits, USC may reconsider. Underwood’s first rejection would undoubtedly need to be apologized for, but his interest in USC was previously evident, and it might be the perfect fit in the long run.
QB Husan Longstreet has committed to Texas A&M.
The fact that most of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 recruiting class have already committed to colleges presents a significant issue for USC if Lewis decides to decommit. Naturally, Lewis revealing his recruitment would be the ideal illustration of how quickly these circumstances might alter.
California native Husan Longstreet excels at Centennial High School, which is conveniently close to USC by car. The 6-foot-1 quarterback is ranked by On3.com as the seventh-best signal-caller and by 247 Sports as the top California 2025 prospect. Longstreet would provide USC a five-star quarterback prospect with local roots in the event that Lewis decides to go elsewhere. It should be mentioned that at the Elite 11 Finals, Longstreet outperformed Lewis.
QB Madden Iamaleava has committed to UCLA.
In 2025, USC’s recruiting efforts would suffer a severe hit if they lost their top recruit. Riley might be forced to contact Madden Iamaleava, a four-star quarterback, to see if he would be willing to renounce his promise in an effort to attempt and recruit talent from within the state.
Stats for Madden Iamaleava (MaxPreps): 3,526 throwing yards, 63% completion percentage, 278.9 yards per game, 43-4 touchdown-interception ratio, 137.4 yards per attempt, 305 rushing yards, and 3 rushing touchdowns
After his brother Nico Iamaleava of the Tennessee Volunteers departed for college, Madden assumed the role of Warren’s starting quarterback. Coaches are taking notice of him because he is already outperforming his brother in terms of stats. The 6-foot-3 quarterback is renowned for his powerful arms, which he uses to prolong plays and make quick throws.
QB and pledge to Oregon Akili Smith Jr.
Given that Dante Moore is thought to be the Oregon Ducks’ quarterback of the future, Akili Smith Jr. may not have an easy route to playing time in Eugene in the end. The San Diego native Lewis might become a target for the Trojans if he decides to decommit.
At six feet five inches, Smith already possesses the ideal stature and arm strength for the role. Additionally, he has demonstrated some great year-over-year growth, which is encouraging for his potential to collaborate with the Trojans coaching staff. There wouldn’t be as much excitement if USC could flip him because he is merely a four-star recruit. That being said, if Riley loses his best player, the California standout might be a high-reward alternative.
