R.J. Sermons, the No. 2-ranked cornerback in the 2026 class, according to ESPN, has reclassified and will be eligible to join the Trojans this season.
Sermons will join USC this summer, he announced on Friday. The four-star recruit and No. 28 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle intends to enroll at USC in July. He joins a recruiting class that was already ranked 14th in the country and could earn immediate playing time as a member of the secondary.
Once the top-ranked player at his position, Sermon suffered an injury during his junior season but believes he’s ready to make the jump and contribute right away at the next level.
Reclassifying Gives Sermon Shot At Immediate Role
The decision appears to be a calculated one for Sermons. He trailed only five-star USC commit Elbert Hill among the top cornerbacks in next year’s class. By reclassifying, he figures to have a better chance at earning immediate snaps for a defense that lost five starters from a year ago.
Even after jumping up a year, Sermons ranks as the second-highest rated recruit in the Trojans’ 2025 class behind only five-star defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, who also reclassified.
Sermons’ father, Rodney Simmons, also played at USC, where he rushed for 888 yards and eight touchdowns from 1994 to 1997.
“It’s time to take the next step on my journey and continue to chase greatness,” he told On3. “I am extremely excited and ready to get to work with the Trojan family,”
Sermon Adds Elite Speed To Trojans’ Secondary
Sermon is considered a raw talent on the outside but is expected to be one of the fastest players in the nation from the moment that he steps on the field.
One of California’s top high school sprinters in the country, Sermons placed first in the Division I 100- and 200-meter events at the CIFSS championships last month. He clocked a 10.36 100-meter dash earlier this year.
Prior to his reclassification, USC planned to start San Jose State transfer D.J. Harvey, redshirt freshman Marcelles Williams on the outside with redshirt senior Prophet Brown serving as the nickel corner. However, that could change with Sermon on campus. His combination of speed and physicality should help him earn immediate playing time for the Trojans as a freshman.
Sermon’s junior season was cut short by injury, limiting him to just six games. He showed tremendous potential during his sophomore season, recording 46 tackles with an interception and five pass breakups.
2026 USC Recruiting Class Among Best In The Country
Even with Sermon set for his debut this season, the Trojans’ 2026 class remains one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.
247Sports has USC ranked No. 1 with 26 commits, nine more than any other team.
Lincoln Riley has already signed two five-star recruits in Elbert Hill and offensive tackle Keenyi Pope, along with 10 four-star recruits and 12 ESPN300 players.
Only Notre Dame has signed as many ESPN300 players but all 12 of their recruits are four-star players.
With back-to-back strong recruiting classes, USC appears to be preparing to compete for a Big Ten title in the near future.
