02-07-2025
USC Handed Massive Recruiting Loss by National Title Contender
USC Handed Massive Recruiting Loss by National Title Contender originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
USC rarely has tasted defeat in the 2026 college football recruiting cycle. Creating the nation's top ranked class by multiple outlets.
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But the Trojans sustained a massive 2027 recruiting loss Monday. And watched a local talent choose a Southeastern Conference power with national title aspirations.
Long Beach Poly star cornerback Donte "Tae" Wright spurned USC for Georgia, with Hayes Fawcett of On3/Rivals confirming the move. Oregon was also in the fold. So was SEC representative Texas A&M.
The 6-foot-2 Wright, however, emerges as a rare early recruiting defeat for head coach Lincoln Riley and USC. Wright stars for a nearby prep powerhouse that's delivered its share of future Trojans talent. Plus became the first massive '27 recruiting loss.
But what elements convinced Wright to trek east and choose the early Georgia offer? He explained his decision with Benjamin Wolk of 247Sports following his verbal decision.
USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks on his Cashore-Imagn Images
"It was just the love that they showed me when I got to the facility. I just felt like I was at home," Wright told Dawgs247. "It was also me working out in front of them, seeing how they coached me if I was there already, and that really stood out to me."
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Turns out there's a family connection that paved the way for Wright to choose the Bulldogs.
Donte Wright Sr. played for Georgia DBs coach Donte Williams at L.A. Harbor College in the junior college football scene. That JUCO became one of the early coaching stops for one of the nation's top recruiters.
Wright now jump starts the 2027 class in Athens. Meanwhile, USC holds no commits for the next class as of yet.
This isn't the first significant loss to Georgia on USC's side. Famed Trojan brothers Zachariah and Zion Branch transferred to the Athens university via the transfer portal.
Related: $10 Million Recruit Sends Stirring Message on What He's Bringing to USC
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
