Emmanuel Pregnon: Forged by Family, Driven by Football

For redshirt senior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, nothing is given — everything is earned. From discovering his passion for the game of football in Denver, Colorado, to polishing his skillset at the University of Wyoming, Pregnon has now established himself at USC.

Growing up as the youngest of four, life was full of possibilities, waiting for direction. Though a self-proclaimed introvert, Pregnon made the most of his environment, even when inspiration seemed scarce. His family, however, provided the strength and courage that has helped shape his journey.

"I grew up in an African household, so most of my customs and values came from there," Pregnon says. "My background and upbringing are a big part of why I'm the man I am today, and I'm grateful to my family for that."

The Pregnon family pursued diverse paths to happiness. With a brother in basketball, a sister competing in track and volleyball, and another sister involved in the fashion industry, Emmanuel had big shoes to fill.

Looking at Pregnon's natural talent on the football field, it seems the sport was an obvious choice. However, due to the inherent dangers of football, his family initially advised him to pursue a different path.

"Basketball was my first passion," Pregnon recalls. "I tried to channel all my emotions into the sport, but I was penalized for my size. I realized I couldn't express myself in basketball, so I turned to football, where I could be myself without repercussions. That's when I knew this was the game for me."

The football field felt like home, but his journey couldn't begin without his mother's blessing.

"I said, 'Mom, I know you don't like football, but this could potentially feed our family one day, so this is what I'm going to do,'" Pregnon explains. "Without hesitation, she said, 'I got you, son.' And that was it—I was off to the races."

Pregnon credits his mother's work ethic as a guiding force. Raising four kids of her own, along with Pregnon's two cousins, her life was a relentless grind.

"She would get up at 4 a.m. and come back at 5 p.m. every day. She was soldier-like because she had an objective: to take care of us and provide for us," Pregnon says.

This work ethic has translated into his game, which he calls a "next-play mentality."

"Of course, you want every play to be great, but football, like life, doesn't always go as planned. The key is to learn from your mistakes and make sure you get it right the next time."

During his time at Jefferson High School, Pregnon primarily played as a defensive lineman until his junior year, when he transitioned to the offensive line.

"A 'dual threat,' I like to call myself," Pregnon says, a mentality that still defines him today. "Sometimes I still think like a defensive player on the O-line—the tenacity, getting to them before they get to you, and moving them off the ball."

Pregnon's progression has been impressive. He moved into the starting lineup at right guard for the Wyoming Cowboys as a redshirt sophomore in 2022, grading out as the No. 3 guard in the Mountain West and earning Freshman All-American honors per PFF. By fall 2023, he was at USC, playing in all 13 games on the offensive line, starting 12 times at left guard.

For someone who initially fell into football due to his size, earning Freshman All-American recognition was a significant achievement.

"I was definitely proud of myself," Pregnon admits. "When you invest and dedicate yourself to the game, it pays off, and I've seen the fruits of that."

Pregnon has continued to add to his accolades, recently being named to the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List.

Focused on his role, Pregnon's transition from right to left guard since coming to USC has been nearly seamless. Physically, his stance changes, but mentally, the job remains the same.

The offensive line position demands strong relationships with the quarterback. During his time at USC, Pregnon has adapted to working with Caleb Williams last season and now Miller Moss and Jayden Maiava. Despite these shifts, Pregnon remains steadfast in his mission.

"It's about the mindset," Pregnon explains. "Regardless of who the quarterback is, my job is to protect him, keep him clean and safe so he can do his job and we can win the game."

There is an unspoken bond between the offensive line and the quarterback, enabling them to work toward a common goal.

"We build relationships with these quarterbacks, and getting to know them makes you want to work and fight even harder for them."

Pregnon embodies the Trojan "Fight On" mentality. In his words, no matter the circumstances, even when things don't go your way, you have to keep fighting.

"If you come with the right mindset—always striving to improve, staying humble, and dedicated — you'll be nearly unbeatable."

Keep an eye on No. 70 — he's always finding ways to grow with every opportunity.

Players Mentioned

Jayden Maiava

Miller Moss

Emmanuel Pregnon

Caleb Williams