USC flips second 2024 defensive commit, lands OLB Lorenzo Cowan

Last weekend, USC hosted two 2024 prospects who were already committed to other schools.

Since those visits, both backed off their other pledges and have now committed to the Trojans, as Lincoln Riley and D'Anton Lynn look to bolster the program's defensive recruiting class leading up to the early signing period next week.

On Friday, it was three-star outside linebacker Lorenzo Cowan, out of Savannah, Georgia, who announced his Trojans commitment a day after decommitting from Kentucky.

"My visit to USC was very exceptional. I love the drive their program has along with the collective commitment of the players and staff," Cowan told Rivals' Adam Gorney. "They believe I can have a big impact early. One of the best schools academically, with a great leader in Coach Riley. They’ve left an incredible impression on my family and I."

That comes a day after three-star defensive end Jide Abasiri, out of Minnesota, flipped from the in-state Gophers to USC.

USC now has 19 total commitments (including 10 on the defensive side) in a 2024 recruiting class that ranks 17th nationally. Three of those defensive commits have come in the last month, including four-star linebacker Desman Stephens, from Michigan.

After Riley hired Lynn as defensive coordinator earlier this month, he pledged that his top priority was addressing USC's defensive needs and fixing a maligned unit that undermined the Trojans the last two seasons.

In addition to adding to the HS recruiting haul, USC also landed Vanderbilt defensive line transfer Nate Clifton this week.