Hawaiian Hail Mary: USC’s Final Push for a Tackle
USC surprised recruiting watchers by reopening its 2027 class after wide receiver Eli Woodard’s decommitment. Insider Scott Schrader reports that the Trojans are “all in” on four-star offensive lineman Isaiah Bertola from Hawaii’s Campbell High School. USC has room on its board thanks to Woodard’s exit and aims to add Bertola’s versatile swing-tackle skills to its haul—joining local four-star Drew Fielder. With USC’s tradition of multi-position linemen and the chance to fend off BYU and Cal, Bertola’s summer visit could seal the deal for a program always hungry for trench dominance.
Is there anything more heartwarming than a 17-year-old’s summer vacation doubling as a clandestine football seminar? Picture USC’s staff in Hawaiian shirts, offering fresh-pressed playbooks alongside mai tais. Meanwhile, poor Isaiah Bertola—just trying to enjoy the pineapples—finds himself evaluated like a piñata at a luau, except instead of candy, he’s showered with scholarship offers. Ah, college football recruiting: the only time your next culinary adventure includes a clipboard and a clipboard-wielding coach asking if you’re allergic to fullbacks or just afraid of commitment.
Sophomore Showdown: USC’s Secret Weapons
USC’s success in 2026 hinges on a talented group of second-year players stepping up after a hyped freshman campaign. Wide receiver Tanook Hines exploded with back-to-back big games against Oregon, hauling in 141 and 163 yards respectively. Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, a Freshman All-American despite a stress fracture, returns stronger and on everyone’s draft radar. Nickel back Alex Graham bolstered the secondary after a redshirt and injury layoff, while corner RJ Sermons matured off-field before dominating spring drills. Defensive lineman Floyd Boucard provides depth behind Stewart, and running back Riley Wormley, freshly healed from a knee injury, brings relentless full-speed enthusiasm to compete for carries. Together, these sophomores form the bedrock of Lincoln Riley’s title aspirations.
Ah yes, the sophomore surge: when freshman phenoms go from “can’t-miss” to “did-miss” faster than you can say “redshirt.” Tanook Hines will now carry the very same ball defenders tackled just to keep him out of the end zone, and Stewart’s foot has been so fractured it might qualify for a museum exhibit. Meanwhile, Alex Graham is pumping iron like he’s auditioning for “Top Gun: Gridiron Edition,” and RJ Sermons has apparently had an existential crisis about being a Boy Scout in cleats. As for Riley Wormley, his motto is “walk-thru? Never heard of her.” Welcome to sophomore year, where the alumni network still calls you “kid” and the playbook never lets you grow up.
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