The crown jewel of the elite USC recruiting class is being pursued heavily by several blue blood programs, eyeing massive flip
The USC Trojans are recruiting on an extremely high level for the 2026 class. One of their top commitments could be on flip watch.
The USC Trojans are recruiting on an extremely high level under head coach Lincoln Riley, and things have only kicked up another notch since general manager Chad Bowden arrived this past offseason. Their 2026 recruiting class is an elite group, and they have several players who look like future college stars. Talent acquisition for the high school level is definitely a lot more important than it was early in the Riley tenure.
Of all the talented commits in that 2026 group, there may not be one more impressive than Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei tight end Mark Bowman. Potentially an elite pass catcher on the next level, Bowman was one of the most highly decorated players in this offensive class. There is a reason why the Trojans earning a commitment from Boweman back in May was such a huge deal. They had to win out against an impressive list of suitors, including Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida, LSU, Florida State, Ole Miss, and Miami among many others.
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but that early commitment hasn’t stopped schools from continuing to pursue the 6-4, 225-pound pass catcher. According to national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney of the Rivals network, there are four schools in particular that aren’t going away. Those are Texas, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Oregon. While a flip isn’t imminent, at least not right now, those programs will continue to push all the way up until National Signing Day.
Bowman has remained solid in his commitment, but anything can happen in the wonderful world of recruiting. Will USC be able to keep the California star all the way up until December? Only time will tell.
Mark Bowman, the recruit
Bowman is considered a five-star player by multiple of the major recruiting platforms. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Bowman currently sits as the No. 15 overall player, the No. 1 tight end, and the No. 2 player in the state of California for the 2026 recruiting class. The California star originally reclassified from the 2027 class, but has remained an elite prospect in either classification.
So far during the 2025 season, it has been a bit of a slow start for Bowman. In five games for the Monarchs, he has managed to haul in 13 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Bowman does have to share the football with two Top-50 wide receivers in Chris Henry Jr. and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, so it is understandable why Bowman might not be lighting up the box score yet. The talent indicates, however, that it is only a matter of time.
Bowman has been compared to former Georgia star Brock Bowers a lot during his recruitment. When you watch him move around on the football field, it is hard not to see the Las Vegas Raiders star. He is a special athlete at the tight end position and should become a mismatched weapon for USC, or any other team that he ends up playing for on the next level.
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