Five-Star RB Kemon Spell Names USC Among Final Five in Major Recruiting Battle

Five-star running back Kemon Spell has narrowed his recruitment to five elite college football programs. The standout from McKeesport, Pennsylvania, named the Georgia Bulldogs, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Miami Hurricanes, Ohio State Buckeyes, and USC Trojans as his finalists. This places USC coach Lincoln Riley in a fierce national battle for one of the 2027 class’s most coveted prospects.

Spell is a dynamic workhorse who rushed for over 1,700 yards last season. His decision will be a major indicator of recruiting reach for the winning program. According to reports from Rivals and 247Sports, his choice is now expected in July after official visits.

A Recruitment Full of Twists and Turns

Spell’s journey has already seen significant drama. He was originally committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions. His pledge dissolved following the firing of former head coach James Franklin, a move Spell directly linked to the program’s inability to win big games.

” I want to be in a winning program, to be honest,” Spell said after his decommitment. Franklin has since moved to Virginia Tech, but Spell did not follow. Instead, he reset his recruitment entirely.

This fall, he took unofficial visits to four of his five finalists: Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami, and Ohio State. Analyst predictions are split, with some services favoring Georgia and others pointing to Notre Dame. Despite this, USC made a quiet but strong impression during its contact with the recruit.

Why USC Remains a Serious Contender

Spell’s positive comments about USC provide a clear path for the Trojans. He noted the authentic, holistic approach of the coaching staff during his interactions. “He wasn’t just worried about football, he’s worried about school and other good things,” Spell told Rivals about his meeting with the USC staff.

Landing Spell would be a monumental statement for Lincoln Riley. USC has consistently recruited elite quarterbacks and receivers, but securing a national top-three running back from the East Coast would showcase expanded geographic pull. It would instantly become the headliner of their 2027 offensive class.

Spell plans to use all five official visits before his July decision. This extended timeline is beneficial for USC. It gives Riley’s staff ample opportunity to bring Spell to Los Angeles for a pivotal official visit and close the perceived gap with the current frontrunners.

The battle for five-star phenom Kemon Spell is intensifying. While Georgia and Notre Dame may hold early edges, USC’s sincere approach has kept them firmly in the hunt for this program-defining running back recruit.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Kemon Spell?

Kemon Spell is a five-star running back recruit from McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He is considered one of the top players in the national 2027 class after a 1,700-yard rushing season.

When will Kemon Spell make his college decision?

Spell plans to commit in July. He intends to take all five of his official visits to his finalist schools before announcing his choice.

Why did he decommit from Penn State?

Spell decommitted after Penn State fired head coach James Franklin. He cited a desire to play for a program that wins big games as a key reason for reopening his recruitment.

What did Spell say about his USC visit?

He said USC was “an awesome place” and praised the coaches for discussing academics and life beyond football, not just his on-field role.

Which schools are the current favorites to land him?

Recruiting analysts are split. Some prediction models favor the Georgia Bulldogs, while others point toward the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as the leader.