USC's Creative Recruitment Strategy: Trolling Oregon with 'Anchorman' Commitment Alert

USC Trojans creatively announce the commitment of four-star tight end Mark Bowman by trolling Oregon Ducks' head coach Dan Lanning with a unique 'Anchorman' twist.

In a bold and humorous move, the USC Trojans announced the commitment of four-star tight end Mark Bowman by trolling Oregon Ducks' head coach Dan Lanning. The announcement came with a creative twist, using a clip from the movie Anchorman featuring USC alum Will Ferrell.

Earlier in May, Lanning made headlines when he jumped into a pool with five-star defensive end Richard Wesley during Wesley's commitment to Oregon. However, Wesley decommitted on May 27, adding fuel to the rivalry.

USC seized the opportunity to mock Lanning's pool jump by posting a modified clip from Anchorman. The original audio was replaced with USC's fight song as Ferrell cannonballed into a pool, followed by the Trojans' iconic 'fight on' gesture and the text, 'We got him.'

Mark Bowman, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound recruit from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, is ranked as the No. 24 overall player in the 2026 ESPN 300 and the No. 3 tight end prospect. His commitment solidifies USC's position as ESPN's top-ranked recruiting class for 2026.

This playful yet strategic move highlights the competitive nature of college football recruitment and USC's ability to leverage pop culture to make a statement. It also underscores the growing rivalry between USC and Oregon, as both programs vie for top talent in the NCAAF landscape.

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