USC Battling National Title Contender for Rising 2027 Talent

USC Battling National Title Contender for Rising 2027 Talent originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The USC Trojans find themselves already in contention for a rising 2027 talent. Except a national title contender is also aggressively in pursuit of this wide receiver.

Sam Spiegelman of On3/Rivals revealed USC and LSU "are battling at the top" for Jason Vital Jr. of Hamilton High in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

"Vital made visits out West to visit USC in April and has been on campus three different occasions this spring and summer at LSU," Spiegelman said.

Vital was one of the few '27 prospects to make the trip over to Los Angeles during a massive spring for USC, as the Trojans hosted multiple star prospects for 2026 and '27. But which school between USC and LSU is the more assertive at recruiting Vital, per his words?

"“Right now, it’s 50-50 between them," Vital told Spiegelman, indicating both have won over the WR.

Anthony Jones from Lincoln Riley's coaching staff is delivering the early push to land Vital.

“We talk pretty often,” Vital said of Jones. “I talk to him and the staff has kept in touch with me. That coaching staff will push you to be your best."

Spiegelman adds that USC has told Vital that the Trojans are pushing to land more Louisiana talent on the recruiting trail. USC already scored a massive win on the trail by landing prized four-star Jahkeem Stewart -- who starred at Edna Karr High in New Orleans. Stewart now has a chance to play early on the defensive line as a true freshman.

USC also landed Roderick Tezeno for the '26 class, who stars for Opelousas Catholic School in the Bayou.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.