Justus Terry, a highly sought-after high school football recruit, recently announced his decommitment from USC, sending shockwaves through the college football recruiting world. The 5-star defensive tackle from Georgia’s Manchester High School took to social media to share his decision to reopen his recruitment, leaving many fans wondering about the future of USC’s 2025 recruiting class.
Terry’s decision came hot on the heels of another blow to USC’s recruiting efforts, as 5-star defensive end Isaiah Gibson also backed out of his commitment to the Trojans. With two top prospects withdrawing their pledges in such a short span of time, USC’s upcoming class, once ranked third in ESPN’s team rankings, is facing uncertainty.
Ranked No. 7 in the 2025 ESPN 300 and the second-best defensive tackle in his class, Terry initially committed to Georgia before switching gears and choosing USC earlier this year. His recent visits to other schools like Georgia and Florida State raised questions about his commitment to USC, ultimately leading to his decommitment.
Despite losing Terry, USC still has some defensive talent lined up for the 2025 class, including safety Hylton Stubb, outside linebacker Matai Tagoa’i, defensive end Hayden Lowe, cornerback Trestin Castro, and defensive end Gus Cordova. Head coach Lincoln Riley will need to regroup and potentially look for other prospects to fill the gaps left by Terry and Gibson’s decommitments.
The departure of these top recruits undoubtedly raises concerns about the future of USC’s defense and the overall strength of their 2025 recruiting class. Riley and his coaching staff will have their work cut out for them as they navigate the competitive world of college football recruiting and strive to secure a strong incoming class.
As the recruiting season unfolds, all eyes will be on USC to see how they respond to these setbacks and whether they can attract new talent to bolster their roster. The world of college football recruiting is unpredictable, and only time will tell how these developments will impact the Trojans in the long run. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly awaiting updates on USC’s recruiting efforts as they work to shape their team for the future.