USC coaches visit 5-star safety Honor Fa’alave Johnson

Few players in the 2027 class are as coveted as San Diego (Calif.) Cathedral Catholic safety Honor Fa’alave Johnson.

He has been a presence on the national recruiting scene for a few years now, and holds offers from nearly every major program on the West Coast — and across the country. And with the transfer portal madness mostly over for coaching staffs, they’re hitting the road for visits with their top targets before the dead period at the end of this month.

Fa’alave-Johnson welcomed in coaches from Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Texas in the past few weeks. But Friday proved to be a big day, with USC head coach Lincoln Riley making his way to San Diego.

The Trojans have been battling with the aforementioned schools, as well as others, to eventually land his commitment. And as it stands now, they’re considered the favorite to do so.

In November, Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong, Adam Gorney and Greg Biggins all placed expert predictions for USC to win out in his recruitment.

“USC has always been a front-runner for the Rivals Industry’s No. 1 safety Honor Fa’alave-Johnson,” Wiltfong wrote at the time. “After talking with sources with knowledge of the recruitment Tuesday I believe they’re setting the pace.”

In an interview prior to that, Fa’alave-Johnson said the Trojans were standing out.

“Favorite things about being able to play for USC is bringing the school a National Title and having the chance to be the third player from San Diego to bring USC a Heisman — and join Reggie Bush and Marcus Allen.”

The 6-foot, 180-pounder is not only the country’s No. 1 safety, but ranks as the No. 16 recruit nationally and No. 1 player in the state of California. As a junior, he tallied up 38 tackles, four pass breakups and a pair of interceptions.

On the offensive side, he also rushed for 1,265 yards and 21 touchdowns and had 564 yards and seven receiving scores this season as well.