"I chose USC for coach Lincoln Riley": 5-star QB Julian Lewis pleases Trojans fanbase amid commitment flip rumors

Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis has explained why he decided to commit to USC. Lewis is the 16th-ranked player nationally and the third-ranked quarterback, according to 247Sports, and is committed to USC.

Although Lewis is committed to USC, there have been rumors he may flip. However, speaking to 247Sports, Lewis explained why he decided to stay with USC and said Lincoln Riley was the key reason.

“I chose USC for Coach Riley, Coach Riley has had a long run with quarterbacks,” Lewis said, via ClutchPoints. “He's had a good thing with all the Heisman trophies and stuff like that. That's hard to skip over as a quarterback. That's what got me."

Although Lewis has committed to USC, he did visit Auburn on June 14 and has a visit scheduled to Colorado on June 21, but remains committed to USC.

Lewis is in the class of 2025, and in 2023, the quarterback went 11-2 as a starter at Carrollton. He went 186-for-280 for 3,094 yards, 48 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Lincoln Riley and USC cancel home-and-home vs Ole Miss

The USC Trojans are entering the Big Ten this season, but before the 2024 college football season starts, USC has made a change to its 2025 and 2026 seasons.

USC was supposed to face Ole Miss in a home-and-home in 2025 and 2026, but it has been reported the series would be off.

Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said to the Clarion Ledger:

"I think that's going to happen," Carter said. "I think you're seeing some of these more marquee matchups maybe coming off the books because of that. If you look at USC, they're going into the Big 10 and they're playing nine conference games now. I think that's probably in our future, too."

USC will be playing in the Big Ten this season and will open its season against LSU in Las Vegas on Sept. 1.

In 2024, the Trojans have notable games against Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State, Nebraska and Notre Dame among others.