USC scored a big win on Saturday afternoon for the 2026 recruiting class, as the Trojans gained a commitment from 4-star running back Shahn Alston.

Alston announced his commitment to Lincoln Riley’s program during the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio. The 5-foot-9 bulldozer of a running back from Painesville (Ohio) Harvey, becomes the fifth top-200 prospect from the 2026 class to commit to USC, which struggled to a 7-6 season in 2024.

USC beat out Big Ten peers Wisconsin and Penn State to get Alston. Ohio State was also said to be in the mix.

 

“There’s a tradition with USC football,” Alston told ESPN on Saturday. “You can’t talk about the history of college football without the tradition of USC. It’s getting back to being that place. I believe in Lincoln Riley, and I believe in that coaching staff. They’re moving it in the right direction.”

Alston is ranked as the No. 153 overall recruit in the 2026 class by the 247 Composite. He’s the eighth-ranked prospect from the state of Ohio and the 14th-ranked running back.

Alston had 131 carries for 1,104 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns as a junior this past fall at Thomas W. Harvey High School. He’ll enter his senior season in 2025 with more than 2,800 yards and 46 touchdowns for his high school career.