The USC Trojans are once again making waves on the recruiting trail—this time with their sights set on one of California’s top prospects in the 2027 cycle. Four-star wide receiver Quentin Hale, who stars at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, has emerged as a priority target for head coach Lincoln Riley and his staff. But USC isn’t alone in the hunt. Powerhouses like the Miami Hurricanes and Texas Longhorns are aggressively pursuing the talented pass-catcher, setting up a high-stakes recruiting battle.
Hale, currently rated as the No. 9 wide receiver and No. 58 overall prospect in the nation by 247 Sports, has long been considered a rising star in his class. Over the summer, his recruitment exploded, with major offers pouring in from programs such as Georgia, Alabama, and Texas A\&M. With 24 total offers and counting, Hale has become one of the most sought-after players on the West Coast.
Despite the national interest, the Trojans remain in a strong position. According to Adam Gorney of Rivals, USC continues to lead in Hale’s recruitment heading into his junior year. “USC has held steadfast at the top for Hale as his relationships are strong there,” Gorney noted. “He continues to build great relationships with the coaching staff and the offense suits his playing style.”
That system fit is no surprise. Lincoln Riley is known for his dynamic offensive schemes that consistently produce elite wide receivers. During his time at USC, Riley has recruited and developed talent at the position at an impressive rate. In his first class (2023), Riley landed five-star standouts Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson, along with four-star receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane. Though Branch and Robinson transferred after the 2023 season, Lemon and Lane have blossomed into one of the most productive wide receiver duos in college football.
For the 2024 cycle, USC signed four-star Xavier Jordan, who is expected to contribute this fall. The Trojans followed that up with a strong 2025 haul, bringing in four-stars Romero Ison and Tanook Hines, as well as three-star prospect Corey Simms.
Now, attention is turning toward the 2027 class, where Hale stands as the crown jewel of California’s receiving talent. Rivals’ Recruiting Prediction Machine currently gives USC a 38.9% chance of landing Hale, just ahead of Oklahoma at 34.1%, while Miami and Texas continue to push hard for his commitment. Notably, Hale has developed a strong connection with Miami’s position coach Kevin Beard, and has shown interest in Texas’ offensive approach.
If USC can lock down Hale, it would continue a trend of the Trojans keeping elite in-state talent home—something that has been vital to their identity and long-term success. With his junior season on the horizon and his recruitment heating up, all eyes will be on Quentin Hale as USC looks to fend off some of college football’s biggest brands in the race for one of 2027’s top playmakers.