USC Football recently faced a setback with the loss of two five-star defensive recruits. The team lost a commitment from five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry and five-star defensive end Isaiah Gibson. Terry, ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings, announced his decommitment on social media. Gibson, the No. 36 overall prospect, is now leaning towards the Georgia Bulldogs after his decommitment from USC.
These commitments were seen as significant wins for new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn and defensive line coach Eric Henderson. Henderson, who previously coached in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams, had brought retired Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald to USC practices, showcasing his recruiting skills.
Both Terry and Gibson have been exploring other options, with Terry reportedly visiting Georgia and Florida State, and Gibson visiting several schools including Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, Auburn, and South Carolina. Despite this, USC is still considered as a potential destination for both players.
The Trojans had a strong recruiting class in 2025, ranked No. 4 in 247Sports’ team rankings, thanks to the commitments of Terry, Gibson, and quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis. Lewis, another Georgia native, reaffirmed his commitment to USC despite visiting other schools recently.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, USC will have new starters on both offense and defense, including a new quarterback in either redshirt junior Miller Moss or redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava. The team will need to regroup and adjust to these changes as they prepare for the upcoming season.