USC Legend Rips Recruiting Site Following Updated Rankings

USC Legend Rips Recruiting Site Following Updated Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

One USC Trojans legend dropped a blistering take directed toward one recruiting site's updated rankings. All after he noticed a change in one high-profile Trojan commit's star ranking.

Class of 2026 commit Mark Bowman lost a star to his name -- going from five to four-star per the On3/Rivals updated rankings released during the week of July 14. That sparked a fierce response from Su'a Cravens. The star safety from the 2010s era didn't mince words on X (formerly Twitter) about his true feelings toward recruiting sites.

"Again and again, these recruiting sites show us their bias and favoritism towards their preferred schools and punish the kids that choose not to go to em," Cravens began. "Commit to USC and instantly become a four-star. Commit to Ohio State or any SEC school and become an instant five plus athlete. Not that it holds any weight at all at the next level."

Cravens, who played 2013 to 2015 at USC, continued piling on the world of recruiting rankings.

"Most of these sites have been a scam and cater to certain schools to maintain their 'insider relationships' with recruiters, but you’re taking away a nod of acknowledgment that these kids do care about," Cravens said. "Sick work from grown a-- adults man."

The tight end Bowman also ranks outside of the top 20 for national prospects at No. 21. Meanwhile, 247Sports still lists Bowman as a five-star. The competitor site to On3/Rivals even lists Bowman as the nation's No. 13 talent per its composite rankings.

Bowman isn't the only massive change involving On3/Rivals and USC. Quarterback commit Jonas Williams now ranks lower compared to Oregon pledge Bryson Beaver. The latter was once listed as a three-star during a time he was committed to Boise State.

Director of Scouting and rankings for On3/Rivals Charles Power helped defend the decision to place Beaver higher. Writing how Beaver's Elite 11 showing helped cement his rise on the list. Power also clarified the rankings approach on social media.

"A prospect making a big rankings rise based on recent performance isn’t a conspiracy. These are high school football players who emerge and develop at different rates. Many, if not most, future high draft picks move up in the rankings as upperclassmen, often in a big way," Power posted on his X account.

Lastly, USC lost its spot at the top of On3/Rivals' team rankings. Georgia holds down No. 1 now.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.