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The USC Trojans will expect a large crowd for their Aug. 29 season opener. And not limited to who fills up the middle and upper levels of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC and coach Lincoln Riley should expect a number of recruiting visitors for the game against San José State, including a key four-star athlete.
Four-Star Recruit Zion Anderson Visiting USC
USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, center, runs on to the field for the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Greg Biggins of Rivals confirmed on Aug. 21 that four-star athlete Zion Anderson will be visiting USC for the Trojans' opener.
It's also the first visit on the schedule for the rising 2028 recruit out of a familiar place for USC, Long Beach Poly. Trojan fans will love how Anderson feels about USC in his recruitment.
"I’ve been to USC a lot and have a good relationship with the coaches,” Anderson said to Biggins. “Chad Savage (WR coach) is the coach who offered me, and we’ve had a lot of great conversations. It’s not just about football; he asks about my family and academics too."
As the program continues to focus on recruiting the Southern California area, Anderson can certainly reignite a big pipeline from USC's past if he ultimately chooses the Trojans.
USC and Long Beach Poly Relationship
Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley celebrates with fans after the game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
USC can make up for lost ground with the Jackrabbits in a big way if they manage to win over the versatile Anderson early.
Plus Anderson can rise as the first Long Beach Poly signing for Riley since his time as the USC coach, but again only if the coaching leader and his staff win the recruiting marathon for the recruit.
Riley has come close to earning a signing from Jackrabbits stars, notably four-star linebacker Dylan Williams who briefly committed to the Trojans in 2022. Yet the 2024 talent flipped to Oregon in the end.
Five-star cornerback Donte Wright represents the latest prominent LBP standout who momentarily chose Georgia. But Wright now is part of a loaded Miami 2027 recruiting class.
USC does present a deep history with the renown Southern California powerhouse, as JuJu Smith-Schuster represents one of the more recent Jackrabbit standouts who thrived at USC. The arrival of general manager Chad Bowden has reignited a local recruiting pipeline under Riley, with USC re-emphasizing building new relationships with Southern California schools like Long Beach Poly. So that element hands USC a renewed chance to win over a talent like Anderson.
Zion Anderson Could Emerge as 2-Way Option
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive tackle Brendan Cho (91) runs on to the field for the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
USC could even swoop up a potential Adoree' Jackson here, as Anderson thrives at more than one spot.
He's an explosive wide receiving option who hits a second gear to torch defenses deep, plus brings elusiveness on screen passes. Anderson later presents a fluid backpedal and strong eyes for the football, then turns it into a pick six opportunity.
Long Beach Poly has thrived with speed and versatile weapons for years, and Anderson is no different. He'd rise as a prominent new, explosive target for recent 2028 quarterback pledge Trey Wright.
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