Lincoln Riley's USC in danger of losing four-star commit to Penn State following recent visit

USC’s 2024 season has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, as the Trojans sit with a 4–5 record overall and are struggling in the Big Ten at 2–5. Lincoln Riley's program is also in danger of losing four-star wide receiver Romero Ison to Penn State.

Ison attended Penn State’s game against Ohio State at Beaver Stadium and experienced the fervor of the Nittany Lions’ game-day atmosphere. Despite Penn State’s narrow 20–13 loss, he described his visit to On3, saying,

“The coaches always show tons of love and make it feel like home," Ison told On3.

Before he visited Beaver Stadium, Ison noted his admiration for Penn State’s impressive performance this season, saying,

“They’ve been showing a lot of love. I love how dominant the Lions have been this season and I wanted to stop by and check out a game against another to Big Ten team.”

The Nittany Lions are currently 7–1 overall with a 4–1 record in the Big Ten, making them a more attractive option for Ison, especially compared to USC’s struggling season.

If Ison decommits, it would be a major setback for USC’s 2025 recruiting class, which has already been hit hard by decommitments. The Trojans have seen five players back out, including three five-star prospects: edge rusher Isaiah Gibson, defensive lineman Justus Terry, and safety Hylton Stubbs.

Concerns are growing in USC’s camp that more players might flip their commitments. Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis is rumored to be considering a switch to Colorado or Indiana, while four-star offensive tackle Carde Smith’s commitment also remains in jeopardy.

Why is Penn State working to flip Romero Ison from USC?

Romero Ison has remained committed to USC since spring and has seen multiple programs reach out to him even now. However, Penn State's pursuit of Romero Ison is serious, given its goal of building a mighty wide receiver room.

Penn State's 2025 recruiting class features three committed wide receivers: Jeff Exinor, Lyrick Samuel and Koby Howard. These prospects bring potential in the cycle, but the addition of Ison would boost the caliber of the Nittany Lions' receiving room more. With college football becoming increasingly competitive, particularly in the Big Ten, building a robust wide receiver unit is essential for success.

The Nittany Lions 2025 class ranks No. 15 in the nation with 25 committed players. It features multiple blue-chip prospects like edge rusher Jayden Woods, offensive tackle Malachi Goodman, cornerback Daryus Dixson, linebacker Alex Tatsch, running back Jabree Wallace-Coleman and cornerback Jahmir Joseph, among others.