USC climbs to No. 1 in recruiting rankings with commitment from elite in-state DL prospect Simote Katoanga
USC landed a big-time commitment for its 2026 recruiting class on Sunday.
Elite in-state defensive lineman Simote Katoanga is staying close to home. With help from On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Katoanga announced his verbal commitment to play for Lincoln Riley’s program.
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Out of Rancho Santa Margarita (California) Catholic High School, Katoanga is listed as measuring 6-5, 240 pounds. On the 247Sports Composite, Katoanga is rated 4-stars, the No. 12 defensive lineman, No. 13 player in the state of California and No. 107 prospect overall in the Class of 2026.
Katoanga drew widespread interest. In addition to USC, he picked up scholarship offers from 30 other programs, including Georgia, Miami, Michigan State, Mizzou, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Washington and Wisconsin. Katoanga ultimately chose the Trojans over Notre Dame, Clemson and North Carolina.
With Katoanga on board, USC now has 11 verbal commitments. The Trojans have the No. 1-ranked class not only in the Big Ten, but overall nationally on the Composite.
Those who don’t already follow Santa Margarita football can get a preview of what Katoanga will bring to the program in 2026 by checking out highlights from his junior season in the video below, via Hudl:
