One of the top defensive end prospects in the country is off of the board, as class of 2026 four-star defender Luke Wafle announced his commitment to USC on Thursday.
Wafle ranks as the No. 85 overall recruit in the Rivals250. He also ranks as the No. 1 prospect in the state of New Jersey and the No. 6 defensive end in the 2026 cycle.
In May, The Hun School of Princeton star released a top-five of USC, Ohio State, Florida, Penn State and Texas. He took official visits to four of those schools, but is no longer expected to take a previously planned trip to see the Longhorns that was previously scheduled for this weekend (June 20 through June 22).
This recruitment was highly-competitive and came down to the wire, with the Trojans ultimately winning out.
He took his official visit to Los Angeles this past weekend, June 13 through June 15. He also took an official visit to USC in April.
At USC, Wafle will play under head coach Lincoln Riley, defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, co-defensive coordinator/run game coordinator/defensive line coach Eric Henderson, defensive ends coach Shaun Nua and the rest of the staff.
Nearly every Power Four program was in pursuit of Wafle during his recruitment.
In addition to the schools already mentioned, Waffle had scholarship offers from Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami (FL.), Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Stanford, Syracuse, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin and several others.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Wafle recorded 53 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a junior in 2024. He helped lead the Raiders to a 9-1 finish on the campaign.
Todd Smith, head football coach at The Hun School of Princeton, broke down Wafle’s game and explained why he is one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country.
“Luke Wafle is the total package — a dominant defensive lineman with elite physical traits, a relentless work ethic and the kind of quiet leadership that lifts an entire program,” Smith said. “He has a college-ready frame right now — long, strong and explosive off the ball. His first step is violent, his hands are heavy, and he plays with advanced technique for a high school player. Luke controls the line of scrimmage, sheds blocks with ease, and brings the kind of power that wears opponents down over four quarters. He’s not just big — he moves with fluidity and purpose, making him a nightmare matchup across the front.”
Additionally, Smith highlighted Wafle’s leadership and character traits.
“Off the field, he’s humble, respectful and deeply respected by teammates and coaches,” Smith explained about Wafle. “Luke has already left a lasting mark on our program at The Hun School, and the best part is — we still get one more season with him. He’s committed to USC and will be entering the Big Ten next year, and there’s no doubt he’ll be ready to contribute right away. Luke is a culture-changer — he makes your locker room better, your standards higher and your team tougher.”
Wafle’s older brother, Owen Wafle, is a defensive tackle for Penn State.
USC’s No. 1-ranked 2026 class now includes 30 total commitments.
