The LSU Football program suffered a tough loss on the recruiting trail on Friday afternoon. Lane Kiffin and the Tigers have been in pursuit of 4-star WR Quentin Hale, but the higly-touted recruit announced his commitment to a Big Ten team on Friday afternoon.
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According to Hayes Fawcett, Hale has committed to the USC Trojans. LSU was in the running until the very end, as his final decision came down to USC, LSU, Texas, and Oklahoma. The 6'3" 190-pound wide receiver is now set to join a talented WR group for Lincoln Riley's squad.
BREAKING: Four-Star WR Quentin Hale has Committed to USC, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’3 190 WR from Los Angeles, CA chose the Trojans over Oklahoma, Texas, and LSU⁰⁰“Dreams to plans. Plans to reality. USC, I’m home. ✌🏾❤️💛 #FightOn”⁰⁰https://t.co/dJUyZM6FxV pic.twitter.com/aSZdnPilrV
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 20, 2026
4-star WR Quentin Hale chooses USC over LSU
Hale is ranked as the No. 7 wide receiver and the No. 55 overall player in the country for the 2027 recruiting class by 247Sports. He is coming off a very productive junior season at Cathedral High School in Corona, CA where he totaled 62 catches for 872 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kiffin extended an offer to Hale on December 4, but the talented wideout chose to stay local and play for the Trojans.
Hale going to USC doesn't come as a huge surprise, as he is a Southern California native and has spent ample time on USC's campus. Prior to his commitment, Hale took a total of six unofficial visits to USC, which is the most of any team during his recruitment process.
Despite missing out on Hale, Kiffin still has a chance to make a huge splash by flipping 5-star WR Easton Royal. The Texas Longhorns hold a commitment from Royal, but Kiffin is putting the pressure on Steve Sarkisian and company. Royal is set to visit LSU in May, and flipping him away from the Longhorns would be a massive win for LSU's 2027 recruiting class - especially after missing out on Hale.
As it stands, LSU's 2027 class features 4-star EDGE Jaiden Bryant and 4-star QB Peyton Houston.