EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks and USC Trojans are locked in a heated competition for one of the nation’s top defensive prospects, five-star recruit Richard Wesley. The highly coveted defensive lineman recently announced his reclassification from the 2027 class to 2026, further intensifying interest from elite college programs.
Wesley, a standout at Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon, now holds 24 scholarship offers, with Oregon and USC emerging as frontrunners. According to On3, the Trojans currently lead the race with a 39.6% probability of landing Wesley, while the Ducks closely trail at 34.7%.
The young lineman has already embarked on a series of unofficial visits, including trips to Oregon and Texas A&M in January. His upcoming itinerary includes visits to Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Miami, Oregon, USC, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M throughout March and April, as reported by ESPN. Wesley has expressed his intent to commit to a program by the end of the year.
“I really can’t say what the future holds for me,” Wesley stated. “I’m excited for more opportunities to go talk with these coaches and see what they’re about. I’m really open to everyone that’s offered me and who really wants me in their program.”
Wesley joins a growing list of elite former 2027 prospects who have opted to reclassify into the 2026 class. This trend includes top-ranked athletes such as wide receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, tight end Mark Bowman, running back Ezavier Crowell, and cornerback Havon Finney Jr.
Prior to reclassification, Wesley was ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 1 defensive lineman, and the top prospect in California, according to On3. His dominance on the field has been evident since his freshman year at Sierra Canyon in 2023, where he recorded 55 tackles and 10 sacks. He continued to impress during his sophomore season, tallying 44 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles.
“All the colleges I talk to have shown me their recruiting boards and told me I’m at the top of their list at the position regardless of class,” Wesley noted. “They’ve told me good things and they’ve told me the things I need to work on. I need to work on my violence. I’ve been grinding at that every single day.”
The Ducks are making a strong push for Wesley as they challenge USC, which currently holds the top spot in the 2026 recruiting rankings, according to 247Sports. Oregon is positioned just behind at No. 2. Under head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks have remained a formidable presence on the recruiting trail, with Lanning’s recent six-year contract extension reinforcing the program’s long-term aspirations.
Lanning’s vision for Oregon is clear: establish the Ducks as a perennial national contender and maintain dominance over high-caliber programs like USC. Securing Wesley’s commitment would be a significant step toward achieving that goal, bolstering Oregon’s defensive front and solidifying its standing among the nation’s elite recruiting programs.