Checkmate: Bishop Fitzgerald Becomes Key Piece In USC Football's Defense
Jai Ahuja, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
11/29/2025
Football is a game as mentally intense and strategic as chess, filled with gambits, counters and blunders. Knowing the purpose and intention of every piece is vital to recognizing attacks and winning games. And like the chess piece that shares his name, Bishop Fitzgerald excels through vision, range and perfectly timed strikes. When it comes to football IQ, the USC safety is a grandmaster, making key plays to force opponents into tough spots.
Fitzgerald has been a key part of the Trojan defense, but he originally began his football career as a quarterback. He led Gar-field High School in Woodbridge, Va. to win the district championship his senior year in the spring of 2021. It was the school’s first district title since 1994.
“He could have been a college quarterback — and a good one,” said Tony Keiling Sr., who coached Fitzgerald as a quarterback in youth football and in high school. “He could make every throw. He could understand defenses. He could roll out and run. He was dynamic.”
Unfortunately, due to recruiting irregularities during the COVID-19 pandemic, he wasn’t able to get the needed exposure at quarterback. He decided to switch course to the defensive side of the ball where he could still utilize his instincts as a quarterback. He began his collegiate career at Coffeyville Community College in Kentucky and was the No. 10 ranked JUCO Prospect and No. 1 overall JUCO safety by 247Sports. He quickly garnered national recognition as a defensive force. He credited his quick position transition to his offensive experience in high school.
“Playing quarterback helped a lot,” said Fitzgerald. “It taught me to read the opposing quarterback’s route progression and his eyes, knowing where he wants to throw the ball.”
With his success at the new position, he transferred to NC State and recorded 97 total tackles and 5 interceptions in his two seasons as a member of the Wolfpack.
After transferring to Troy for his final season of eligibility, he couldn’t imagine a better fit.
“USC was the quickest transition I had coming from another school,” remarked Fitzgerald. “Everyone here already knew my name, and my position group was quickly helping me out and teaching me things.”
Though a new member of the defense, Fitzgerald quickly formed a deep bond with the rest of the secondary as well as the entire locker room. He challenged himself to move across the country and embrace a leadership role utilizing the skillset he garnered as a uniquely adaptable player.
“I feel like the only way you can lead is if people respect you enough to let you lead,” he said. “I think the guys on the team know they can trust my word. It makes it easier for me to say how I feel and motivate the team because they allow me to always be honest with them.”
The All-American candidate’s hard work has resulted in an outstanding season with 51 tackles and 5 interceptions on the year, second-most in the nation. He was named a Midseason First Team All-American, as well as a semifinalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
The foundation of Fitzgerald’s character was shaped by his single mother, Florence, whose work ethic and determination inspired him to achieve his goals. Raised in a family of athletes, he knew what it would take to reach the highest level, and his mother was instrumental in instilling that drive in him.
“She made everything happen despite the odds and really worked hard to put me in a position to be successful,” says Fitzgerald. “I think just watching her work ethic – and you don't really realize it until you're a little older – and her sacrifices as well, definitely motivated me.”
He misses Virginia, the seafood, home cooked meals and family competitions that turn even bowling into a full-fledged rivalry. With his extended family spread throughout Maryland and Virginia, everyone was close enough to feel like one big community and have supported his football journey since the beginning.
“They came to my JUCO games in Kansas and a lot of games at NC State,” remembered Fitzgerald. “And now I’m able to fly them out to a lot of games here! They came to the Iowa game, and I'm bringing them to UCLA.”
To Bishop Fitzgerald, playing in the secondary isn’t chaos. It’s pattern recognition – understanding threats, arranging leverage and being in the right place at the right time. He worked through every level of college football to become one of the best safeties in the country, fueled by passion and diligence. Now, the Trojans know they can rely on him to make the final blow and call checkmate.
