Luke Wafle seemed poised to join Ohio State on Wednesday, but by Thursday, he had committed to USC instead, choosing to become a Trojan in a surprising turn of events.

Luke Wafle’s recruitment saga took a dramatic and unexpected turn this week, capturing the attention of college football fans across the country. The highly coveted four-star defensive lineman out of San Diego, California, had been trending heavily toward Ohio State heading into the week. By Wednesday evening, all signs pointed toward him joining the Buckeyes. Analysts, insiders, and fans alike were preparing for a commitment that seemed nearly inevitable. His visits to Columbus had gone well, the coaching staff was confident, and the buzz around the program suggested that Wafle was the next major defensive addition to an already loaded 2025 class.

But Thursday brought an entirely different story.

In a move that stunned much of the recruiting world, Wafle announced his commitment to USC, flipping the script just as it seemed his future in Columbus was all but locked in. For Buckeye fans, the news came as a gut punch. For Trojan supporters, it was a resounding victory—another elite prospect staying home on the West Coast and joining what Lincoln Riley and his staff are building in Los Angeles. It was the kind of recruiting moment that reminds everyone why college football’s offseason never really rests.

Wafle’s decision was not made lightly. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound lineman had fielded offers from dozens of top-tier programs across the country. He had taken his time, visited schools, spoken at length with coaches, and weighed what each university had to offer—both athletically and academically. The recruiting battle had long been narrowed down to two: Ohio State and USC. For weeks, the Buckeyes were in the driver’s seat. Their track record of developing NFL-caliber defensive linemen, the history of their program, and the relationships he had built with the defensive coaching staff made them an appealing option.

He had visited the Ohio State campus multiple times and was rumored to be extremely impressed by defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best in the business when it comes to player development, and that legacy has helped Ohio State remain a consistent destination for elite defensive talent. For a prospect like Wafle—one who thrives on technique, physicality, and motor—it made all the sense in the world that he would see himself excelling in that system.

But behind the scenes, USC had never truly gone away.

Despite the momentum leaning toward Columbus, Lincoln Riley and his staff remained relentless. They continued their full-court press, pitching Wafle on the idea of building something powerful in his own backyard. With USC’s impending move to the Big Ten, the Trojans offered Wafle the unique opportunity to stay close to home while still competing on the national stage against the very teams recruiting him hardest. The appeal of representing his home state, of playing in front of family and friends, and of helping bring USC back to the heights of college football greatness ultimately became too strong to resist.

The announcement itself came via a clean, polished video shared across social media—a move that has become a hallmark of major commitments in this modern recruiting era. Wafle, calm and composed, delivered his decision with poise, thanking all of the schools that had recruited him and praising both Ohio State and USC for the time and effort they had put into his recruitment. But when he finally donned the cardinal and gold USC cap, it was clear that this was the path he had chosen.

For USC, the commitment is massive. Wafle is not just any defensive lineman—he’s a player who brings versatility, quickness off the line, and a high football IQ. He can play multiple positions across the front, from defensive tackle to strong-side end, and brings a relentless motor that coaches covet. In a conference that will soon feature the likes of Michigan, Penn State, and of course, Ohio State, having elite defensive line talent is essential. With Wafle on board, USC is signaling that they intend to be more than just competitive in the Big Ten—they want to dominate.

It’s also a significant win in terms of optics. For years, top West Coast talent has often left the region in search of greener pastures in the SEC or Big Ten. But USC keeping Wafle home sends a message. Lincoln Riley has been vocal about the importance of recruiting Southern California and making USC the destination for elite local prospects. Getting a player like Wafle, who could have gone anywhere in the country, is a testament to that vision and the direction of the program.

For Ohio State, the loss stings—but it’s not the end of the road. The Buckeyes remain one of the most powerful forces in college football recruiting. Their 2025 class is still among the best in the nation, and their defensive line haul, while missing Wafle, still features plenty of high-end talent. But this miss will linger for a bit, especially considering how close they appeared to landing him. It serves as a reminder of how volatile and unpredictable recruiting can be, particularly when it comes to out-of-state prospects with strong local ties.

Ohio State will regroup. They always do. There are other top defensive line targets on the board, and Larry Johnson’s track record continues to be a magnet for talent. But Wafle’s decision may prompt the staff to double down on relationships and communication moving forward, especially when they’re in the final stretch with a top-tier prospect. The Buckeyes’ recruiting machine is one of the best in the business, but even the best can’t win them all.

Meanwhile, Wafle’s commitment gives USC another foundational piece in a 2025 class that continues to grow in both quality and momentum. As the Trojans prepare to join the Big Ten, the importance of stacking elite talent on both sides of the ball cannot be overstated. Wafle joins a class that already includes several national standouts and gives defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn another tool in the toolbox as he reshapes the Trojan defense.

For Wafle personally, the choice is about more than football. It’s about legacy, opportunity, and faith in the vision of a coaching staff that believes in his potential. It’s about being part of something that’s still being built—something that could one day be remembered as a turning point in USC’s return to the top of the college football landscape. Choosing USC means he’ll be part of a program that’s not only steeped in history, but one that is hungry for a new chapter.

His journey from being a near-lock to Ohio State to becoming a future Trojan is a perfect example of how fluid recruiting can be, even in the final hours. Relationships matter. Proximity matters. Vision matters. And for Luke Wafle, when everything was laid out in front of him, the choice to stay home and become a Trojan proved to be the right one.

As the summer unfolds, the spotlight will remain on players like Wafle, whose decisions help shape the national landscape before a single snap is even played. And while Wednesday may have belonged to Ohio State, Thursday was all USC. In this era of college football, fortunes can change overnight—and Luke Wafle’s story is the latest proof.