5-Star Honor Fa'alave-Johnson Commits to USC Over LSU, Oregon, Miami, Texas, More

USC football has added its first five-star recruit from the Class of 2027.

Five-star athlete Honor Fa'alave-Johnson has committed to the Trojans, he announced Saturday.

The California native chose USC over Oregon, Miami, LSU, Texas and Notre Dame.

Fa'alave-Johnson is listed as the No. 16 prospect and No. 1 athlete in the 2027 class by 247Sports composite rankings.

247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins previously named the Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki as a comp for Fa'alave-Johnson, who is currently playing for Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego.

Ivins wrote in December that Fa'alave-Johnson's "ceiling appears to be highest at safety given the IQ and physicality," but added that he "has the skills to also be an effective three-down running back with his vision, hands and agility."

Fa'alave-Johnson, who has also competed in track, played multiple positions including running back, slot receiver and safety during his junior season in San Diego.

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Don Norcross reported in November that Fa'alave-Johnson was expected to pursue free safety in college after switching to the position from cornerback.

Fa'alave-Johnson told Norcross at the time that he would "like to keep my options open for what I think is best for me in the future."

He is now expected to play both offense and defense at USC, per ESPN's Eli Lederman.

According to The UC Report's Billy Tucker, Fa'alave-Johnson clocked a maximum speed of 22.7 miles per hour during a 79-yard run in high school action.

That's the fastest max speed recorded by the college recruiting database, according to Tucker.

Fa'alave-Johnson is the second top-50 prospect from his class to commit to USC after four-star wide receiver Quentin Hale (No. 50 national ranking, No. 9 positional ranking by 247Sports) pledged to join the Trojans in April.

The Trojans have also received Class of 2027 commitments from four-star cornerback Aaryn Washington and four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard, per 247Sports.