The USC Trojans will meet UCLA Bruins on Saturday, and a number of recruits will be in the Rose Bowl visiting UCLA. However, a number recruits who will attend also have offers from USC.

The Trojans are 5-5, just one win away from bowl eligibility. The UCLA Bruins are 4-6 and need a win to become bowl eligible. This is a big game between two rival schools from California, but also an important one from one recruitment position.

The proximity of USC and UCLA means that a large amount of local recruiting targets overlap with the two schools. The recruiting process only adds to the rivalry between these schools, and the winner of the Week 13 game could influence the decisions of the recruits.

Talanoa Ili – Linebacker

Four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili will visit the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Ili, a California native from the class of 2026, has offers from USC and UCLA. He is one of the top recruits in 2026 and has visited the Trojans several times. Ili has not announced which school he plans to attend yet and has time to decide. On3 ranks Ili as the No. 57 recruit nationally, the No. 3 linebacker in the country and the No. 9 player in California.

According to On3, USC is the predicted favorite to land Ili. The Trojans have built their linebacker core under coach Matt Entz, and Ili would be a valuable addition to the class of 2026. While Ili visits the Bruins, USC has the chance to impress the four-star recruit with what they do on the field.

Taven Epps – Linebacker

While the Class of 2027 has some time to weigh its options, four-star linebacker Taven Epps will visit the Bruins when they face the Trojans. As of on3, Eps has not received an offer from UCLA and the USC Trojans are one of the top schools for him. Epps is the No. 4 linebacker in the country, No. 51 in the class and No. 8 in California according to On3.

Epps hails from Tustin, California, making him familiar with both programs. Epps has time to decide his future, but he is one of the top 2027 prospects on USC’s early recruiting board.

George Toia – Defensive lineman

Four-star defensive lineman Georgia Toia will also visit the Bruins on Nov. 23. The Class of 2027 defensive lineman has received interest from USC, but according to On3, no offer has come in yet. Toia might not be a big target right now, but a win for USC could draw interest to the young recruit.

On3 ranks Toia as the No. 28 nationally, No. 3 defensive lineman from the Class of 2027 and No. 7 in California. USC isn’t one of the top schools in the race for Toia, but that could change after the game against UCLA.

Even though the game is away from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Trojans can still impress recruits. For the recruits interested in both schools, the Trojans could swing the players in their favor with a win. The rivalry between the Trojans and Bruins extends beyond the playing field and into recruiting battles.

Records aside, the game is set to be big. The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins will kick off at 7:30pm PT at the Rose Bowl.