The Miami Hurricanes came up short in their pursuit of one of the most electric prospects in the 2027 recruiting class Saturday, as five-star athlete Honor Fa'alave-Johnson announced his commitment to USC.
BREAKING: Five-Star ATH Honor Fa’alave-Johnson has Committed to USC, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 14, 2026
The No. 1 ATH in the ‘27 Class chose the Trojans over Oregon, Miami, LSU, Texas, and Notre Dame
“Best in Cali stay in Cali” https://t.co/SjP0pSMO3v pic.twitter.com/mIgKdErmbX
2027 ATH Honor Fa'alave-Johnson commits to USC
The 6-foot, 175-pound two-way star from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego committed to the Trojans over Oregon, Texas, Miami, LSU and Notre Dame during a live announcement on CBS Sports HQ.
"Best in Cali stay in Cali."Honor Fa'alave-Johnson
Fa'alave-Johnson put an exclamation point on his decision by picking up an Oregon Ducks hat and immediately tossing it aside before revealing his Trojans commitment.
KABOOOOOM!!!!
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) March 14, 2026
Five-star everything Honor Fa’alave-Johnson commits to #USC!
The nation’s No. 1 ATH and top player in California is staying home @On3USC @SchraderOn3 @GregBiggins pic.twitter.com/ISxf6LhzXB
The Hurricanes were among an elite group of programs chasing one of the most versatile prospects in the country, but competing against a hometown school was too much to overcome.
Fa'alave-Johnson was credited with 40 tackles and three interceptions on defense, while accounting for more than 1,530 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns on offense last fall during his junior season at Cathedral Catholic.
Fa'alave-Johnson is listed as the No. 16 prospect and No. 1 athlete in the 2027 class by 247Sports composite rankings. Rivals has him at No. 18 overall.
Before Fa'alave-Johnson's commitment, USC held the No. 14 overall-ranked 2027 recruiting class, according to Rivals' industry rankings. After his commitment, USC jumped inside the top 10 at No. 7.
The commitment comes little more than a month after USC officially secured the nation's top-ranked 2026 class in February.
Miami's 2027 class is still elite
Losing Fa'alave-Johnson hurts, but Miami's class currently ranks No. 8 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings with five commits.
All five commitments are from South Florida. The crown jewel of the class so far is five-star wide receiver Nick Lennear out of Carol City, ranked No. 3 nationally at the position by the 247Sports Composite. Four of the five commitments are blue-chip prospects.