What happened: CBS Sports analyst Charles Davis evaluated USC true freshman tight end Mark Bowman and likened his profile to Las Vegas Raiders standout Brock Bowers. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound newcomer joined the Trojans as a five-star prospect and the consensus No. 2 tight end in the 2026 recruiting class.
Why it matters: Bowers established the modern template for instant-impact college tight ends at Georgia before emerging as a primary target in Las Vegas. Developing a comparable dual-threat weapon provides USC with an immediate mismatch against linebackers while anchoring perimeter blocking.
What to watch: USC continues its 2026 regular-season slate as Bowman looks to carve out a greater target share in the Trojans' passing attack.