5-Star Recruit Honor Fa'alave-Johnson Compared to Former Heisman Trophy Winner

Los Angeles — USC’s 2025 signing class gained instant star power when five-star athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson announced his commitment to the Trojans, spurning offers from Oregon, Texas, and LSU. While the 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety from San Diego’s Cathedral Catholic High is expected to anchor the secondary under defensive backs coach Doug Belk, Fa’alave-Johnson has no intention of limiting his impact to one side of the ball.

“That’s definitely the goal,” he told TMZ Sports when asked about reviving the rare two-way role. “I’ve been doing it all my life, so why stop now?”

Fa’alave-Johnson’s junior tape supports the ambition. In 2023 he logged 65 carries for 766 yards and 11 touchdowns, added 32 receptions for 409 yards and five more scores, and still found time to post 21 tackles, four pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble on defense. The statistical breadth has drawn natural comparisons to the sport’s most recent two-way phenom: 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who logged more than 1,400 snaps at Colorado en route to 1,152 receiving yards and four interceptions in the same season.

USC has not deployed a true two-way player since Adoree Jackson patrolled cornerback and moonlighted at receiver from 2014-16. Head coach Lincoln Riley has publicly embraced the idea of expanding Fa’alave-Johnson’s workload, provided the freshman proves capable of handling the physical and mental demands.

“My junior season really opened my eyes and let me know I can really go both ways,” Fa’alave-Johnson said.

If the transition succeeds, the Trojans could possess college football’s next Swiss-army knife—and, in time, Riley’s first Heisman finalist who doesn’t line up under center.