Freshman Phenom Ignites USC Recruiting Trail

A freshman named Aydan Steen is quickly making a name for himself at Santa Margarita, a top high school program. In his first game, Steen recorded three sacks and ten tackles, validating earlier reports of his talent. He even received an offer from USC while in eighth grade and is scheduled to visit the campus for a game.

Steen is not the only promising freshman from Santa Margarita attracting attention from USC. Receivers Kiyan Callis and defensive player KJ Herndon also earned offers from the Trojans as eighth graders. Herndon, in particular, has garnered significant interest, holding multiple offers from prominent college programs.

The connection between Santa Margarita and USC is becoming increasingly strong. Former USC quarterback Carson Palmer now coaches at his alma mater, Santa Margarita, and has led them to a state championship. The Trojans currently have five players from Santa Margarita on their roster, with three more signed for the 2026 class.

USC continues to prioritize recruits from Santa Margarita, including 2027 commit Isaia Vandermade and highly sought-after 2028 cornerback Ca'ron "Prime" Williams. Running back Jaion "Duce" Smith, whose cousin is a former USC player, also recently received an offer. The Trojans anticipate a significant presence of Santa Margarita talent at their upcoming game.