She helped USC land nation's top recruiting class, now she'll build SMU
Zaire Turner has helped run recruiting at Notre Dame and USC, which had 2026's No. 1 class. Turner's headed home to Dallas to join Rhett Lashlee, SMU.
SMU football ’s recruiting personnel gain is USC’s loss. Rhett Lashlee and SMU have hired Zaire Turner away from USC to serve as the Mustangs’ senior director of recruiting, USA TODAY Sports has learned. Turner confirmed the news in a homecoming move that was a few years in the making.
TOO-EARLY TOP 25: New No. 1 leads college football after spring practice LATEST NEWS: What we know, what's next for Brendan Sorsby “SMU had reached out two years ago,” said Turner, a Dallas native who had been USC’s assistant athletic director of recruiting. “There were a few factors that I didn't feel like it was the right move for me at the time...
“But, I always kept thinking about wanting to go home and actually work there. Everything happens for a reason, and I’ve been blessed to be in so many great places and programs with great coaches and people like Chad (Bowden, USC general manager). I knew this time it was time.
I never thought I'd get a second offer but felt that if I did, I had to do it. ” Under Bowden, Turner helped USC land college football's top-ranked 2026 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite. She is set to start immediately for the Mustangs, who are entering their fifth year under Lashlee, third year in the ACC and seeking a return to the College Football Playoff after appearing in the 2024 edition.