USC Trojans Eye Top Recruits Aaryn Washington and Taven Epps at Navy All-American Bowl
The Navy All-American Bowl is set to take place on January 10, with numerous top recruits expected to announce their commitments during the event. The USC Trojans are eager to kick off their 2027 recruiting class and could secure their first commitment over the weekend. Two standout recruits from the class of 2027, four-star cornerback Aaryn Washington and four-star edge Taven Epps, have listed the USC Trojans as finalists, with Washington trending towards USC according to Rivals.
Washington, a highly sought-after recruit, is ranked as the No. 80 recruit in the nation, the No. 9 cornerback, and the No. 9 player from California by Rivals. Hailing from Mater Dei in California, Washington has been heavily recruited by the USC Trojans, who are among his top five choices alongside Nebraska, Ohio State, Washington, and Alabama. USC, led by cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed and defensive backs coach Doug Belk, has made a strong push for Washington's commitment, leveraging their success in in-state recruiting.
The USC Trojans have shown a renewed emphasis on recruiting in-state talent, with 57 percent of their 2026 signees coming from California. Washington's ties to Mater Dei, where USC has had recruiting success in the past, could play a significant role in his decision to commit to the Trojans. Additionally, four-star edge rusher Taven Epps, another top California prospect, is considering USC among his final four choices, including Georgia, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.
Epps, ranked as the No. 103 recruit in the nation and the No. 14 EDGE by Rivals, has attracted interest from multiple programs since decommitting from Texas. USC has been actively recruiting Epps, who has also visited Oklahoma multiple times, making them a strong contender for his commitment. With the Trojans' focus on in-state talent and their successful recruitment of players from Mater Dei, both Washington and Epps could be valuable additions to USC's 2027 recruiting class.