Oregon Ducks Lose Top DL Recruit Isaia Vandermade to USC in 2027 Class

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Oregon Ducks Lose Top DL Recruit Isaia Vandermade to USC in 2027 Class

Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks finished the 2025 college football season off on a disappointing note. After securing the No. 5 seed in the College Football Playoff, they lost to the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers 56-22 in the Peach Bowl.

After failing to win a national championship, Lanning and his staff have shifted focus to the recruiting trail. The Ducks’ 2027 cycle already ranks fourth in the Big Ten with five commitments.

With more players to add, defensive lineman Isaia Vandermade had become a top priority for Oregon. The 6-foot-4 and 270-pound pass rusher from San Francisco, California, is a three-star recruit, the No. 73 defensive lineman and the No. 702 player in the nation.

He had a productive junior season at Santa Margrita High School with 47 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three hurries and eight pass deflections.

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning.© Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

There’s been mutual interest between him and the Ducks. Oregon was named as one of Vandermade’s five finalists, joined by the USC Trojans, Oklahoma Sooners, Arizona Wildcats and BYU Cougars.

While facing several other top programs, the Ducks had positioned themselves well for a chance to land his commitment. However, on Tuesday, Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett reported that Vandermade instead chose USC.

It’s a big addition for the Trojans, who are trying to keep momentum going while holding the nation’s top 2026 recruiting class. Vandermade becomes just the third commitment Lincoln Riley has landed in the 2027 cycle.

It also marks an exciting win over the Ducks. The two programs consistently find themselves pushing for similar recruits as two of the four Big Ten teams located on the West Coast.

Related: Nation’s No. 2 Overall Recruit Announces Commitment To College Basketball Powerhouse

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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