USC Shakes Up SEC Territory: 2027 Star Zane Rowe Blown Away by Lincoln Riley’s Pursuit
The USC Trojans are wasting no time making waves deep in SEC country for the 2027 recruiting cycle—this time, by aggressively targeting one of the South’s most sought-after rising stars.
Four-star edge rusher Zane Rowe, out of Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, told Sam Spiegelman of On3/Rivals that Lincoln Riley and USC have entered his recruitment in emphatic fashion. In fact, Rowe described Riley’s personal outreach as both unexpected and thrilling.
“USC has definitely been recruiting me hard these past couple of weeks,” Rowe said. “When Coach Riley hit my line, I was so excited and just caught by surprise.”
The 6-foot-5, 256-pound defensive standout has been on the radar of numerous SEC powers. Arizona State also entered the mix recently, benefiting from having eight 2026 commits already from Texas. But it’s the Trojans who appear to have sparked fresh excitement with their assertive approach.
USC isn’t new to pulling top-tier Texas talent. The Trojans’ 2026 class already features three Lone Star State recruits, including four-star defensive lineman Jaimeon Winfield and wide receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, who committed on July 4.
Still, landing Rowe would be a major coup for Lincoln Riley, especially considering the SEC giants he’s up against. Texas and Texas A&M have hosted Rowe multiple times since January. Georgia and Oklahoma—his brief former commit—remain firmly in the hunt as well.
Rowe’s production on the field backs up the hype. In 2024, he racked up 9 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and forced 4 fumbles as a sophomore, quickly establishing himself as one of the most disruptive edge players in the country. As of mid-July, he holds 35 offers.
While USC’s move into SEC territory is bold, the Trojans are clearly playing to win. With Lincoln Riley personally dialing up elite defensive talent, it’s clear the program is turning up the heat in its quest to build a national recruiting footprint—one that now includes a serious push for Zane Rowe.