USC lost four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard, who decommitted on Tuesday and said he is fully reopening his recruitment. The Temecula, California product was a February commitment after USC offered him a scholarship in June 2025, and he backed it up with a bre
USC’s 2027 recruiting momentum took a hit on Tuesday. when four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard announced his decommitment from the Trojans. Woodard. a Temecula. California product. shared the news on social media and wrote that after “a lot of talks with my family and praying. ” he decided to decommit from USC and reopen his recruitment.
“Excited to see where God takes me,” Woodard added.
Woodard’s commitment to USC came on Feb. 10, shortly after he attended a Junior Day event on campus. The Trojans had been pursuing him for a long time, and USC extended him a scholarship offer back in June of 2025.
In recruiting rankings, Woodard is listed as the No. 178 overall player and No. 23 wide receiver in the 247Sports composite. He’s also the No. 15 player from California.
On the field, his junior season at Chaparral High School stood out. He caught 51 passes for 1,070 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games, averaging 21.0 yards per catch. Woodard wasn’t limited to offense either—he played defense as well. recording 32 tackles. one interception. and breaking up seven passes.
Now, his decommitment reshapes what USC has left in the class. With Woodard gone, USC has 13 players in its 2027 recruiting class. That group includes four-star wide receivers Quentin Hale and Roye Oliver III, both top 100 prospects.
The class is ranked as the 5th best in the country and the 2nd best in the Big Ten by 247Sports—an elevated standing that remains, even as USC has to replace a player who was ranked among the state’s top targets.
Eli Woodard USC Trojans decommitment 2027 recruiting class Temecula Chaparral High School Quentin Hale Roye Oliver III