USC
Missouri State
Players Mentioned
USC Football Opens 2025 Season At L.A. Memorial Coliseum Against Missouri State
August 26, 2025 | Football
THE OPENING DRIVE
*It's officially time for USC Football as the Trojans kick off their 2025 campaign against Missouri State on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m. PT on Big Ten Network.
*This will be Missouri State's first-ever game as an FBS program after joining Conference USA in July.
*USC is the only NCAA FBS (Division I-A) school that has never played a FCS (non-Division I-A) opponent (since the divisions were formed in 1978).
*USC head coach Lincoln Riley is 8-0 in season openers.
*This will be the second time Riley has faced Missouri State in a season opener. In 2020, his Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Bears 48-0 on Sept. 12 to open the season.
MAIAVA IN MOTION
*Redshirt junior QBJayden Maiava returns to lead the Trojan offense after starting USC's last four games with a 3-1 record (including defeating crosstown rival UCLA and SEC opponent Texas A&M).
*Last season, Maiava went 101-of-169 (.598) for 1,201 yards and 11 TDs with 6 INTs. He also rushed for 45 yards on 20 carries with 4 TDs.
*USC head coach Lincoln Riley on Maiava's offseason growth: ""He would say he feels like it's his team. He knows the guys better and he knows what he's doing as a player better. It's a much different situation. There's a different confidence and swagger with him in the way he plays, the way he interacts with guys, the way he challenges guys and the way he uplifts guys. We've challenged him as coaches pretty heavily to do it, and he's really responded. Great teams have to have that out of their quarterbacks, and he's intent on giving this team that."
DEPTH UNDER CENTER
*The Trojans signed the No. 1 quarterback in the state of California and one of the nation's top prospects in five-star freshman Husan Longstreet from Centennial (Calif.) HS. He was rated as the No. 3 quarterback in the country by On3, No. 4 by 247Sports and ESPN and No. 8 by Rivals, and the No. 13 player in the nation regardless of position. The 2025 Polynesian Bowl All-Star helped Centennial to reach the CIF-SS semifinals. He was named to the MaxPreps 2024 California All-State First Team. Longstreet enrolled "extra early" to join the Trojans for the Las Vegas Bowl in December and was allowed to practice with the team.
*From the portal, USC welcomed redshirt senior QB Sam Huard, who had previous stops at Utah, Cal Poly and Washington. Huard, USC offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Luke Huard's nephew, was one of the nation's top prospects coming out of high school. While Cal Poly's starting quarterback in 2023, he broke numerous program records and worked his way up the statistical leaderboard.
*Redshirt junior Gage Roy and redshirt sophomore Dylan Gebbia also return to round out the quarterback room.
LEMON & LANE – A LETHAL DUO
*Makai Lemon, one of the nation's most electric all-around players, looks be a leader among the Trojan wide receiver unit as a junior in 2025.
*Lemon was USC's most versatile player of the 2024 season.
*The Biletnikoff candidate recorded a team-leading 52 receptions for a team-leading 764 yards (14.7 avg.) and 3 TDs.
*Lemon also fielded kickoff returns, recording 19 returns for 514 yards (27.1 avg.) with a long of 80 yards. He finished the season ranked No. 6 in the nation in kickoff returns and will be a serious contender for a Paul Hornung Award in 2025. Lemon also ranked No. 16 in the nation (No. 2 in the Big Ten) in combined kick returns (514) and was a crucial member of the punt coverage team downing punts for Ray Guy winner, Eddie Czaplicki.
*Additionally, Lemon continued to prove his versatility by going 1-for-1 in passing attempts, tossing a 39-yard completion to wide receiver Kyron Hudson versus UCLA to set up wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane to score on the subsequent play.
*He was selected as an All-Big Ten Offensive Honorable Mention as well as an All-Big Ten Third Team Return Specialist .
*Fellow junior Ja'Kobi Lane also returns for the 2025 season. In 2024, Lane was No. 5 in the nation in receiving TDs as he led the Trojans with a whopping 12, just 4 shy of USC single-season record of 16 held by Mike Williams (2002) and Dwayne Jarrett (2005).
*Lane, a fellow 2025 Biletnikoff candidate, recorded 42 receptions for 525 yards (12.2 avg.) last season.
*Lane was named Las Vegas Bowl MVP and was selected to the AP All-Bowl Team for his performance at the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl.
AIR ATTACK ARSENAL
*Senior Jay Fair (8 catches for 78 yards [9.75 avg] and 1 TD), redshirt senior Jaden Richardson (1 reception for 19 yards [19.0 avg.]) and redshirt senior Josiah Zamora (1 KOR for 17 yards [17.0 avg.]) all look to have increased roles this season.
*Redshirt senior Asante Das and untested redshirt freshmen Collin Fasse, DJ Jordan, Brady Jung and Seth Zamora also make up the USC wideout unit.
*The Trojans welcomed junior transfer Prince Strachan from Boise State. In his 2-year career at Boise State (2023-24), Strachan, who has two Mountain West Championship titles and a CFP appearance to his name, recorded 37 receptions for 578 yards (15.6 avg.) and 3 TDs while appearing in 28 games with 7 starts. He looks to immediately compete for playing time.
*Freshman Corey Simms out of Christian Brothers College (Mo.) HS enrolled in January at USC. Simms, a four-star recruit, was rated as the No. 2 player in the state of Missouri by Rivals, No. 4 by 247Sports and No. 6 by On3 and ESPN. He was touted as the No. 19 wide receiver in the country by Rivals, No. 58 by ESPN, No. 80 by On3 and No. 81 by 247Sports. He was 117th on the Rivals 250 List. Simms helped Christian Brothers go 10-2 overall and 4-0 in district play in 2024 and was an All-State selection in 2023.
*Over the summer, freshmen Tanook Hines of Andy Dekaney HS in Texas (2025 Polynesian Bowl AllStar and 247Sports' 2025 Freaks List member), Romero Ison of Millford Mill Academy in Maryland (Baltimore City and MPSSAA record holder and 2023 MPSSAA All-State First Team member ), Jadyn Ramos of Conroe HS in Texas (2024 District 13-6A Defensive Player of the Year and All-Greater Houston First Team honoree) and Cameron Sermons of Rancho Cucamonga HS (2023 All-Baseline League Honorable Mention) joined the team for fall camp.
*Sophomore transfer Zacharyus Williams also arrived at Troy over the summer from the transfer portal. The former Utah Ute saw action in 10 games and recorded 10 receptions for 101 yards (10.1 avg.) and 3 carries for 16 yards (5.3 avg.).
BULLDOZING BACKFIELD
*USC's running back room is poised to be a highlight of the 2025 squad.
*USC leads the nation with three RBs on the Doak Walker Award Watch List.
*RB Waymond Jordan, who transferred to USC in the spring of 2025 from Hutchinson CC, looks to see significant playing time as a junior in 2025 as a jack-of-all-trades back. He was rated as the No. 1 JUCO running back in the nation by On3, 247Sports and ESPN. He was touted as the No. 2 JUCO prospect from the State of Kansas by 247Sports. He was ranked as the No. 7 JUCO prospect in the nation by ESPN, No. 11 by Rivals and No. 18 by 247Sports.
*As a sophomore in 2024, Jordan was named the 2024 NJCAA DI Football Offensive Player of the Year. He led the Blue Dragons to win the 2024 NJCAA DI Football Championship. Jordan rushed for 1,614 yards on 218 carries (7.4 avg.) while averaging 134.5 yards per game with 20 TDs through 12 games.
*He finished out the 2024 season first in the nation in yards, yards per game, and touchdowns, while also finishing fourth in the nation in yards per rush with 7.4. He also recorded 6 receptions for 43 yards (7.2 avg.) and 1 TD.
*He won the JUCOWeekly Trophy which is presented to The Best JUCO Player in America (junior college's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy). He was named 2024 NJCAA DI Football First Team All-American and to the 2024 All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference First Team.
*Throughout the season, he was named a five-time KJCCC Player of the Week and NJCAA Week 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Jordan became the 20th Blue Dragon running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He recorded nine games of 100 or more rushing yards and 2 games with over 200 yards. His season high was 213 yards on 24 carries and 3 TDs in a 44-0 victory over Highland.
*RB Eli Sanders, who transferred to USC in the spring of 2025 from New Mexico is ready to make his Coliseum debut as a redshirt senior in 2025.
*In his four-year career (3 seasons at New Mexico and 1 at Iowa State), the speedy back has recorded 305 carries for 1,766 yards (5.8 avg.) with a long of 75 and 13 TDs through 33 games. He has also tallied 30 receptions for 268 yards (8.9 avg.) with a long of 31 and 1 TD. Additionally, he had 5 kickoff returns for 113 yards (22.6 avg.) with a long of 32.
*RB Bryan Jackson who had a stellar freshman season in 2024 returns to make an impact from the Trojan backfield as a sophomore in 2025. The bulldozing back saw action in all 13 games and rushed for 188 yards on 36 attempts (5.2 avg.) and scored 1 TD. He also had 1 reception for no gain and a tackle.
*To close out the 2024 season, Jackson recorded 6 carries for a season-high 71 yards (with his season-long of 23 yards) against Notre Dame, and he tallied 66 yards on 16 carries with 1 TD in his breakout game in the Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M.
*Redshirt sophomore Cian McKelvey and redshirt freshman King Miller return to gain more experience this season.
*Freshman Harry Dalton III of Dinwiddie County HS in Virginia arrived over the summer to bolster an already impressive running backs room. Dalton, who played quarterback in high school, recorded 5,939 passing yards with 67 TDs and 5,143 rushing yards with 93 TDs for 11,282 total yards with 160 TDs. He is the Richmond area all-time leader in both career yards and touchdowns. He averaged 40 TDs per season while in high school. He helped Dinwiddie County win the 2024 Central District Championship, was named the Region 4B Player of the Year and was selected to the All-Region First Team as a quarterback.
BLOCKING AND BALLING
*Between blocking ability, having exceptional hands and being nimble for their large size, a tight end must do it all. The Trojan tight end unit boasts experienced talent and depth entering 2025.
*Redshirt senior Lake McRee returns as the leader of the room. In 2024, he recorded 24 receptions for 245 yards (10.2 avg.) through 10 games with 9 starts. He will remain a vital part of the Trojan offense.
*Sophomore Walker Lyons looks to once again make big contributions. After a strong freshman debut with 6 receptions for 36 yards (6.0) with 11 appearances and 3 starts, Lyons looks to increase his role this season.
*Untested redshirt freshman Walter Matthews and fellow redshirt freshman Joey Olsen (who saw action in 1 game) look to both battle for playing time.
*Redshirt junior Carson Tabaracci works to find his way back to the field after a season-ending injury sidelined him in 2024.
*Freshman Taniela Tupou from Folsom (Calif.) HS enrolled at USC in January. Tupou, a threestar recruit, played tight end and edge in high school, but will focus on tight end at the collegiate level. He was rated as the No. 52 player in the state of California by 247Spsorts, No. 53 by Rivals, No. 67 by ESPN and No. 92 by On3. He was touted as the No. 36 edge in the nation by Rivals, No. 45 by 247Sports, No. 76 by ESPN and No. 146 by On3. In 2024, he helped Folsom win the San Joaquin Section Division 1 Championship.
*Freshman Fisher Melton of Santa Margarita HS in Southern California also joined the team during the summer.
FORTRESS UP FRONT
*Redshirt sophomore Elijah Paige returns as the most experienced player on the Trojan offensive line. The 2024 Freshman All-American and Big Ten Honorable Mention started in all 13 games at left tackle.
*Junior Alani Noa also returns as an experienced starter after seeing action in 13 games with 12 starts at right guard. Paige and Noa were crucial to the success of the USC offense this season. USC finished the regular season ranked No. 10 in the nation in passing offense (291.9) and No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 23 in the nation in total offense (437.2) and second in the Big Ten.
*Redshirt junior Kilian O'Connor (saw action in 9 games with 1 start), redshirt sophomore Micah Banuelos (saw action in 2 games), redshirt sophomore Tobias Raymond (saw action in 13 games with 1 start) and redshirt freshman Justin Tauanuu (saw action in 2 games) each bring valuable playing experience to build off of.
*Untested redshirt freshman Makai Saina, redshirt sophomore Erwin Taomi and redshirt freshmen Hayden Treter and Ratumana Bulabalavu (who transitioned over to the offensive side of the ball in the spring) add depth to the room.
*Redshirt freshman Kaylon Miller and redshirt sophomore Jack Susnjar, who each saw action in 2 games, also make up the Trojan offensive line.
*Redshirt senior J'Onre Reed who transferred to USC in the spring of 2025 from Syracuse, looks to compete for playing time at center as a redshirt senior in 2025. In his 2-year career at Syracuse (2023-24), he appeared and started in 25 games. He brings experience to the Trojan offensive line room.
*Freshman Aaron Dunn, a four-star recruit out of Spanish Fork (Utah) HS, was ranked as the No. 76 player in the nation by ESPN and No. 150 by 247Sports. He was rated as the No. 2 player in the state of Utah by On3, 247Sports and ESPN and the No. 4 player by Rivals. He was touted as the No. 9 offensive tackle in the country by ESPN, No. 17 by 247Sports, No. 24 by On3 and No. 33 by Rivals. He was 76th on the ESPN 300 and No. 147 on the Top 247 List. Most of his snaps in high school were at right tackle, but he also took reps on the left. He helped Spanish Ford reach the 4A State Championship game.
*Freshman Alex Payne from Gainesville (Ga.) HS, also a four-star recruit, was ranked as the No. 124 player in the nation by 247Sports, No. 159 by ESPN and No. 194 by Rivals. He was rated as the No. 17 player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports, No. 25 by Rivals, No. 27 by ESPN and No. 30 by On3. He was touted as the No. 16 offensive tackle in the nation by 247Sports, No. 19 by Rivals, No. 21 by ESPN, and No. 22 by On3. He was 124th on the Top247 List, 159th on the ESPN 300 List, 163rd on the On300 and 195th on the Rivals 250. Prior to his senior season, he was named to the 2024 Recruit Georgia Preseason All-State Class 5A Team, the 2024 Georgia High School Football Daily Class 5A Preseason All-State Team and the 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Preseason All-State Team.
*Local product from South Orange County, four star Elijah Vaikona out of Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) HS was rated as the No. 38 player in the state of California by Rivals No. 41 by On3, No. 63 by ESPN and No. 90 by 247Sports. He was touted as the No. 40 offensive tackle in the country by Rivals, No. 52 by On3, No. 76 by ESPN and No. 78 by 247Sports.
*Freshman Willi Wascher of Bellevue (Wash.) HS was rated as the No. 4 player in the state of Washington by Rivals, No. 10 by 247Sports and No. 15 by On3 and ESPN. He was touted as the No. 15 interior offensive lineman in the nation by ESPN, No. 30 by Rivals, No. 82 by 247Sports and No. 149 by On3. Wascher, a four-year starter at Bellevue, helped his team reach the 2024 Washington 3A State Championship game.
MOST IMPROVED DEFENSE IN THE NATION
*After completely rehauling the defensive coaching staff with defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn at the helm, the USC defense made a massive improvement from 2023 to 2024. Under Lynn, a Broyles Award nominee, USC held opponents to an average of just 24.1 points per game, improving from 34.4 in 2023.
*The Trojans finished the 2024 season ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference in third-down conversion percentage defense (0.335), compared to ranking No. 106 (0.436) in 2023.
*USC's defense improved in a variety of other statistical categories including:
- ranking No. 44 in passes intercepted (12) compared to ranking No. 109 in in 2023 (7).
- ranking No. 53 in rushing defense (141.2) in 2024 compared to No. 116 in 2023 (186.5)
- The Trojan defense ranked No. 58 in turnovers gained by collecting 18 throughout the season compared to ranking No. 83 in in 2023 (16),
- ranked No. 69 in red zone defense (0.830) in 2024 compared to ranking No. 116 in the nation in red zone defense (0.909) in 2023.
- USC finished ranked No. 70 in team passing efficiency defense (132.50) compared to No. 116 in team passing efficiency defense in 2023 (149.72)
- USC improved to No. 77 in total defense (377.1) and ranked 116 in total defense (432.8)in 2023
- USC was No. 85 in the nation in first downs defense (262) in 2024, compared to No. 124 in first downs defense in 2023 (295).
A BIGGER PROBLEM FOR EVERY OFFENSE
*USC's defensive line looks very different this season – in a BIG way.
The average size of the defensive line-two deep is 300 lbs., compared to last year's 278 lbs.
*Redshirt junior Devan Thompkins had a breakout season in 2024 and looks to be a standout on the defensive line. He recorded 24 tackles, including 2.5 for loss of 10 yards (with 1.5 sacks for minus 9 yards) and 3 PBUs. Redshirt senior Kobe Pepe returns as a veteran in the trenches after collecting 19 tackles and 1 PBU in 2024.
*After seeing action in 10 games and recording 7 tackles in his freshman debut, sophomore Jide Abasiri looks to build on that foundation in 2025. His exceptional speed and athleticism have been deemed "freakish", as his top clocked speed of 19.22 mph and his 10-yard split of 1.60 would place him at the top of the 2025 NFL Combine for defensive linemen. He earned placement on Bruce Feldmen's Freaks List.
*Untested redshirt freshmen Carlon Jones and Brendan Cho and redshirt junior Kash Amos look to increase their roles in 2025.
*USC also welcomed freshmen Floyd Boucard (a Canadian from Montreal, Quebec who was a top recruit out of Miami Central [Fla.] HS) and Cash Jacobsen (the No. 12 player in the state of Oklahoma by 247Sports out of Jenks [Okla.] HS).
*Junior Jamaal Jarrett arrived at Troy last spring from Georgia. Throughout his two years at Georgia, the 6-5, 350-pound defensive lineman appeared in 16 games and recorded 9 tackles. Redshirt senior Keeshawn Silver also transferred to USC from Kentucky last spring. In his 4-year career (2 seasons at Kentucky and 2 at North Carolina), Silver has recorded 47 tackles through 30 games with 23 starts.
*Over the summer, freshman Gus Cordova, one of Central Texas' top players out of Lake Travis HS, arrived at Troy ready to participate in summer camp.
*From the group of defensive ends, senior Anthony Lucas will return healthy as the most veteran of the group. After appearing in 7 games before a season-ending injury, he tallied 16 tackles and 1 PBU.
*Junior Braylan Shelby emerged as one of the Trojans' most fearsome defenders. After collecting 28 tackles, including 5 for loss of 22 yards (with 3 sacks for minus 14 yards), 2 QB hurries and 1 PBU, he made a critical impact on the Trojan defense and looks to bring that same energy in 2025.
*After appearing in the Utah State game to start the season, sophomore Kameryn Fountain burst onto the scene and saw action in USC's last 7 games and tallied 19 tackles, including 4.5 for loss (with 2 sacks for minus 5 yards) and 1 QB hurry. Trojan fans will regularly be seeing his name on the stat sheet this season.
*Redshirt junior Garrett Pomerantz looks to expand his role in 2025.
*USC signed the No. 1 defensive lineman in the nation in freshman Jahkeem Stewart out of Edna Carr (La.) HS. Stewart, one of the nation's top recruits, was rated as the No. 1 player in the state of Louisiana by ESPN and Rivals and No. 2 by On3 and 247Sports and was rated as the No. 8 player in the nation by Rivals, No. 11 by ESPN and No. 25 by On3. Before reclassifying, Stewart was the No.1 overall player in the 2026 class. He was named a 2024 MaxPreps Preseason Junior All-American, a 2024 MaxPreps Preseason All-American and 2024 PRZLA Preseason All-State honoree. Stewart had a highly productive 2023 sophomore campaign at St. Augustine with 85 tackles, including 33 for loss (with 20 sacks), 6 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. He was named to the 2023 All District 5A-9 First Team, the 2023 MaxPreps Sophomore All-American First Team and was a 2023 Louisiana Sportswriters Association 5A All-State Honorable Mention.
RYAN'S RENEGADES
*The USC linebacker room received a surge of energy as legendary NFL coach Rob Ryan arrived at Troy to take over the room.
*Trojan fans will be excited for redshirt senior Eric Gentry to hit the field again in 2025. With his unique 6-foot-6 frame, Gentry provides opponent offenses with a tough challenge to gameplan against. He redshirted after an injury sidelined him, but appeared in four games and returned for the Las Vegas Bowl versus Texas A&M at the end of the season. In 2024, Gentry totaled 33 tackles, including 6.5 for loss of 17 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 11 yards), 1 forced fumble, 1 PBU and 1 QB hurry.
*Sophomore Desman Stephens II decorated his stat sheet during his freshman debut while appearing in 13 games. He notched 13 tackles, including 1 for loss of 1 yard, 1 INT returned for 42 yards, 1 forced fumble and 1 QB hurry.
*Hoping to expand their roles in 2025 are redshirt seniors Anthony Beavers Jr. (18 tackles) and Ryan Quintanar (8 games), redshirt junior Garrison Madden (12 games with 5 tackles), redshirt junior Roman Marchetti (13 games with 1 tackle) and redshirt freshmen Elijah Newby (5 games and 2 tackles) and Jadyn Walker (1 game).
*Freshmen Matai Tagoa'i of San Clemente HS in Southern California (2025 Polynesian Bowl AllStar) and AJ Tuitele of Mojave HS in Nevada (2024 SI Nevada Football Player of the Year) also joined the squad over the summer.
NO FLY ZONE
*Although he could have declared for the NFL, redshirt junior S Kamari Ramsey returns for the 2025 season to be a leader on the defensive side of the ball. In 2024, Ramsey recorded 60 tackles, including 5.5 for loss of 26 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 19 yards), a team-leading 5 PBUs, a teamleading 2 forced fumbles, 1 QB hurry and 1 INT. He looks to once again be a coach on the field in D'Anton Lynn's system.
*Junior S Christian Pierce (8 tackles) return to contribute for the Trojans.
*Untested redshirt safeties freshman Marquis Gallegos, redshirt sophomore Shawn Sehra and redshirt junior Brandon Shepherd look to increase their roles.
*USC welcomed redshirt senior S Bishop Fitzgerald from NC State during the spring. In his 2-year career at NC State (2023-24), he recorded 97 tackles, including 7.5 for loss of 10 yards, 16 PBUs, 5 INTs for 47 yards, 2 QBHs and 1 forced fumble.
*Freshmen CB Alex Graham (2024 Prep RedZone All-State Championship Defense and the 2024 MHSFCA All-Region First Team from state champion Cass Technical [Mich.] HS) and S Steve Miller (2023 Georgia 1A-D2 Region 8 Player of the Year out of Greene County [Ga.] HS) enrolled early and are ready to compete this season.
*Freshman S Kendarius Reddick of Thomas County Central in Georgia (2023 Atlanta JournalConstitution Defensive Player of the Year) joined the team over the summer.
*Sophomore S Kennedy Urlacher, a former Notre Dame safety and the son of Chicago Bears' legend Brian Urlacher, joined the Trojan squad this summer. As a freshman in 2024, Urlacher saw action in 14 games while recording 12 tackles, including 1 for loss and 2 PBUs for the Fighting Irish.
*After the junior college eligibility rules were revised, redshirt senior CB DeCarlos Nicholson was able to secure another season of eligibility and return to Troy for one final year. In 2024, he recorded 27 tackles and 5 PBUs. USC also welcomes back redshirt senior Prophet Brown (11 tackles and 1 PBU) who looks to be a leader among the cornerbacks.
*Redshirt freshman CB Braylon Conley (1 tackle, including 0.5 for loss of 3 yards), redshirt freshman CB Marcelles Williams (1 tackle, including 1 for loss of 1 yard, and 1 PBU) and untested redshirt freshman S Isaiah Rubin look to gain valuable reps this spring to increase their roles in 2025.
*The Trojans welcomed redshirt senior CB DJ Harvey from San José State. In his four-year career (2 seasons at San José State and 2 at Virginia Tech), Harvey has recorded 94 tackles, including 9.5 for loss (with 2 sacks), 16 PBUs, 4 INTs (with 1 pick six) and 1 forced fumble through 37 games. Redshirt sophomore CB Kevin Longstreet (saw action in 6 games with 1 tackle in his two-year career at Texas A&M and Louisville) also arrived at Troy ready to contribute
*Freshmen CB Trestin Castro (a 2025 Polynesian Bowl All-Star from Upland [Calif.] HS) and James Johnson (the Georgia Region 6-5A 2023 Player of the Year out of Douglas County [Ga.]) HS) enrolled in the spring to get a jump start to learn the defense.
*From the portal, sophomore CB Chasen Johnson looks to add more depth to the cornerback room. At UCF, he saw action in 12 games with 4 starts as a true freshman in 2024. He recorded 18 tackles and 2 PBUs. A physical specimen, his power is unmatched. Johnson's 26.1" countermovement jump ranks in the top 0.1% among all college football athletes and in the top 1% of NFL defensive backs. Additionally, his jump power output of 81-times his bodyweight ranks in the top 5% of current NFL defensive backs.
*CB RJ Sermons, one of the top players in the class of 2026, reclassified to forgo his senior year of high school and will compete for playing time at cornerback as a true freshman in 2025. He was ranked as the No. 1 cornerback and the No. 15 overall player in the nation as a five-star recruit per On3 as part of the 2026 recruiting class. Prior to reclassifying, ESPN ranked Sermons as the No. 2 cornerback in the nation and the No. 29 overall prospect.
STANDOUT SPECIALISTS
*It will be tough to replace USC's first-ever Ray Guy Award winner in Eddie Czaplicki. However, redshirt senior Sam Johnson, a transfer from Valaparaiso will make a valiant effort in 2025. Johnson had a spectacular redshirt junior season in 2024. He was named a 2024 Stats Perform Second Team All-American, becoming the program's first All-American since 2003 and just one of three All-Americans from the program since 1985. He was named the Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Year and received All-PFL First Team honors. Johnson was selected as the Phil Steele Pioneer Football League Special Teams Player of the Year and earned placement on the Phil Steele All-PFL First Team.
*Redshirt freshman punter Ryon Sayeri saw his first action in the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl when Czaplicki suffered an injury. He recorded 1 punt for 57 yards.
*Also available is untested punter redshirt junior Rey Sanchez.
*Freshman P William Weisberg of Notre Dame HS in California joined the Trojans in the summer ready to compete in camp.
*The Trojans lose the consistent Michael Lantz at kicker, but welcomed a sophomore transfer from UNLV. K Caden Chittenden was one the nation's top kickers as a freshman at UNLV in 2024. He won a plethora of awards including being named First Team True Freshman All-American by 247Sports, Second Team Freshman All-American by The Athletic, College Football Network Honorable Mention All-American, College Football Network Freshman Specialist of the Year, College Football Network Freshman Kicker of the Year and Mountain West Freshman of the Year. Chittenden earned placement on the All-Mountain West First Team and was the first freshman from UNLV named to the All-Mountain West First Team since 2006. He was also a semifinalist for the 2024 Lou Groza Award and a three-time Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week, as well as a threetime Mountain West Freshman of the Week. Chittenden has been named a Preseason Walter Camp Second Team All-American.
*Sayeri is also available to kick.
*Redshirt senior All-Big Ten Third Team honoree SNP Hank Pepper returns as USC's starting long snapper. In 2024, he recorded 3 tackles and also made a crucial play against Wisconsin by recovering a muffed punt at the Badgers' 30-yard line. This play by Pepper gave the Trojans a short field which ultimately resulted in USC scoring on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Miller Moss to receiver Ja'Kobi Lane. He was also double teamed or blocked in coverage multiple times throughout the season showing his impact on punt coverage.
*Untested redshirt junior Devin McDonough is also available to snap.
*Freshman SNP Luke Brown of China Spring, Texas, arrived over the summer adds depth to the long snapper room.
*Junior Makai Lemon returns as one of the nation's most dangerous returners. He finished sixth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in kickoff returns (27.1). He also finished 16th in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in combined kick returns. He tallied 19 kickoff returns for 514 yards with a long of 80.
*Redshirt senior Josiah Zamora regularly lines up deep for the Trojans and returned a kickoff in the Las Vegas Bowl for 17 yards.
*Other Trojans with kickoff return experience are Jaden Richardson, Eli Sanders, Harry Dalton III, Tanook Hines, Romero Ison, James Johnson, Waymond Jordan, DJ Jordan, Kendarius Reddick, Zacharyus Williams and DJ Harvey.
*The competition will be open to find USC's new punt returner. Lemon has experience punt returning as well as Desman Stephens II, Jay Fair, Tanook Hines, Romero Ison, James Johnson, Kendarius Reddick, Isaiah Rubin and DJ Harvey.
RANKINGS
*Neither USC nor Missouri State are ranked in the AP Poll or the USA Today Coaches Poll.
*This is the first time since 2019, that the Trojans have not been ranked in the Preseason AP Poll.
*To quote Mark Cuban, ""Being underestimated is the biggest competitive advantage you can have."
SERIES
*USC and Missouri State have not previously played.
VERSUS CONFERENCE USA
*USC is 1-0 against Conference USA opponents, with the Trojans' only other CUSA foe being Louisiana Tech. USC defeated the Bulldogs 45-19 in the Coliseum on Nov. 26, 1999.
IN AUGUST
*USC has an 10-2 (.833) all-time record while playing in the month of August.
*USC's Aug. 25 opener in 1996 was the earliest its season opened in the modern era. (The earliest USC's season has ended was Nov. 13, 1909.) USC's latest season opener was Dec. 7, 1901 and its latest home opener was Dec. 14, 1918 (USC didn't play any home games in 1900 or 1901).
OPENERS
*USC's record in all season openers is 99-24-8 (.786), with 36 shutout victories.
*In season openers at home, the Trojans are 70-16-7 (.790), while their record in season openers on the road is 29-8-1 (.776). (Does not include 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 100-24-8, .788 overall and 30-8-1 on the road, .782.)
*USC's record for home openers is 103-19-7 (.826). In road openers, USC is 87-31-8 (.722). (Does not include 1 home and 1 road win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 104-19-7, .827 at home, 88-31-8, .724 on the road.)
IN THE COLISEUM
*USC is 470-151-27 (.746) in the Coliseum, not including 6 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 6-0 in 2005 and 476-151-27, .749 in the Coliseum).
*USC began play in Coliseum during 1923 season, going 4-1 there that season.
COUNTING AT THE COLI
*Entering the 2025 season, USC's 654 games played in the Coliseum (including 6 wins vacated by NCAA penalty) are the third most that any school has played in its home stadium, behind Georgia Tech's 729 in Bobby Dodd Stadium and Tennessee's 657 in Neyland Stadium.
MISSOURI STATE CONNECTIONS
*USC has 1 player from the state of Missouri (WR Cory Simms), while Missouri State has 5 players from the state of California.
*USC WR Tanook Hines, CB Braylon Conley, OL J'Onre Reed and DE Jayden Ramos and Missouri State NB Dylan Dixson, S Haydon Caston, RB Reggie Branch II and DL Ryan Williams are all from Houston, Texas.
*USC WR Corey Simms and Missouri State OL Huston Lillibridge, OL Ryan Mitchell, DL Jayden McGee and WR Brycen Dorsey are all from St. Louis, Mo.
*USC CB DJ Harvey, QB Dylan Gebbia, LB Ryan Quintanar and P William Weisberg and Missouri State WR Makai Cope are all from Los Angeles.
*USC WR Jay Fair, QB Gage Roy and Missouri State WR Tristian Gardner are all from Dallas, Texas.
*USC OL Makai Saina and Missouri State LB Caleb Olabode are both from Arlington, Texas.
*USC RB Bryan Jackson and Missouri State S Christian Ford both attended McKinney HS in McKinney, Texas.
*USC WR Romero Ison and Missouri State OL Ebubedike Nnabugwu are both from Baltimore, Md.
*USC DE Anthony Lucas and Missouri State TE Dillon Hipp are both from Scottsdale, Ariz.
*USC P Sam Johnson and Missouri State TE Hayden Hagler were teammates at Jackson State in 2022.
*USC LB Ta'Mere Robinson and Missouri State DL Davon Townley Jr. both previously played at Penn State, though not at the same time.
*USC QB Jayden Maiava and Missouri State WR Deamikkio Nathan were previously teammates at UNLV in 2022.
*USC K Caden Chittenden and Missouri State OL Matthew Greene also were previously teammates at UNLV in 2024. Greene was also teammates with Maiava in 2023.
*USC SNP Hank Pepper and Missouri State K Yousef Obeid were previously teammates at Michigan State in 2023.
MISSOURI STATE SCOUTING REPORT
*QB Jacob Clark, WR Jmariyae Robinson, DL Davon Townley Jr., OL Cash Hudson and PK Yousef Obeid were all named to the Conference USA Watch List.
*Clark finished 14th in Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year) voting last season while earning first-team All-MVFC honors. wrapped the 2024 season 262-of-376 (.697) passing for 3,604 yards, 26 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 169.8 efficiency and 3,608 yards of total offense, starting all 12 games
*WR Robinson hauled in 38 receptions for 585 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games last season, in addition eight carries for 47 yards and three rushing touchdowns. The sophomore standout posted three 100-yard receiving games in 2024, averaging 15.39 yards per reception
*Townley played in all 12 games in his first season at Missouri State in 2024, finishing with 13 total tackles, four solos, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pair of QB hurries.
*Hudson earned second-team All-MVFC offensive lineman honors as a sophomore in 2024, starting 11 games at center.
*Obeid was named as a Freshman All-America selection by Stats Perform, Phil Steele, and FCS Football Central last season in his collegiate debut. He finished 53-of-54 on extra points and 11-for-12 on field goals in 2024 and averaged 57.8 yards on 75 kickoffs with 23 touchbacks.
*Thoughout camp, L-R, Cristian Loaiza, Mark Hutchinson, Cash Hudson, Ebubedike Nnabugwu and Erick Cade have appeared to secure starting roles on the offensive line. Four started at least five games last season, while Nnabugwu is a Delaware State transfer
*Starting WR James BlackStrain has been working through an injury thoughout the last few weeks. He was named a 2024 All-MVFC Newcomer.
*The defenisve line is looking to make an improvement this seaon. It was a middle-of-the-pack unit that allowed more than 30 points per game and struggled against the run.
TV OUTLETS
*USC has appeared live on 35 different television broadcasting outlets. The Trojans have won on the air on all but 3 of those outlets (KTLA, Innovative and a local Memphis station). USC has appeared on live national, regional or local telecasts 592 times.
