Protector of the Pocket: Elijah Paige
Jai Ahuja, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
9/20/2025
A left tackle has one of the most important jobs on a football team. At the end of the day, one of the major factors of a team’s success can be determined by how well this player can do his job. And what is his job? Protecting the quarterback’s blind side. When a right-handed quarterback takes a snap and is falling back to complete a pass, he can’t see anything coming towards him from the left side of the field. All he can do is trust in his left tackle. And there’s no one more trustworthy than USC veteran, redshirt sophomore Elijah Paige.
Football has been an integral part of Paige’s life since the age of five when he first fell in love with the sport. Through all of grade school, Paige had his mind set on one thing: becoming a professional football player. He was a dual-sport athlete in high school, playing as a center on the basketball team. And although football was the obvious choice for him due to his size and stature, he saw parallels between the two sports and how his basketball career helped him improve his football skills.
“It definitely translates a lot to football,” said Paige. “Think about playing defense in basketball – it's very similar to what you do as an offensive lineman. It’s obviously less physical, but with the way you move your feet, it's very similar.”
Paige acknowledges the difficulty and importance of his position, needing quick hands and even quicker feet. But the hardest thing is the mental fortitude it takes to play on the offensive line. Consistency is the most important thing a lineman can have, according to Paige. The toughness to go out there and play 80 snaps a game, play after play, and stay sharp throughout.
He models his play style after NFL greats, such as Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt and Jake Matthews. His favorite player, however, is defensive end Maxx Crosby, simply because of his “dawg mentality.”
Paige credits his leadership ability to his former teammates on the offensive line, especially current NFL players Jonah Monheim (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Justin Dedich (Los Angeles Rams).
“Those are two of my best friends, and they taught me how to do the right way,” he said. “I watched them lead when I was a young guy, and then I naturally stepped right into it. And now, because of them, I know how hold myself in this role.”
Paige’s journey to USC began long before suiting up for the Trojan offensive line. Originally committed to Notre Dame, he made the decision to flip to USC which was truly cemented by the opportunity to work with head coach Lincoln Riley.
“I really wanted to play for Coach Riley,” Paige recalls. “I grew up watching him coach at Oklahoma. I used to watch him a ton and always wanted to play for him. When I received the opportunity to be on his team, I couldn't really pass that up.”
There’s more to Paige than just pancakes and pass protection. Though he embraces Los Angeles’ diversity and energy, Arizona will always be home for the tackle. After all, his family is what motivates him to get out onto the field late into a game and compete at the highest level. He credits his family as his inspiration through practices, gamedays and every mental battle.
“My ‘why’ is definitely my family and making them proud,” he said with a smile. “My family comes to every single game, home and away. Even when I wasn't playing, they were there. Just knowing that they're somewhere in the crowd watching me is what is what drives me.”
Family and faith are what protect Paige’s own blind side. He looks up to his father as his greatest role model, someone who taught him how to “chase dreams the right way.” His favorite tradition at home is attending church with his family on Sundays. He attributes his can-do attitude to the faith he’s built with his family. Faith is what keeps him grounded, through the good times and the bad. Reflecting on his first year at USC, playing on scout team and then eventually earning the starting role in the 2023 Holiday Bowl, Paige gives complete credit to his faith and the strength it’s given him.
“My faith is foundational in all aspects of life,” he said. “At one point last year, I didn’t feel like I was playing up to the standard. Obviously, that's tough when you put your all into something, and it's not going your way. In hard times and good times, I can always fall back on my trust in God.”
His resilience is evident in the way Paige carries himself, with humility and intent. Playing on the line means there is no glory of scoring like a receiver or the opportunity to celebrate a huge sack like a defensive end. However, Paige truly shows that no job is too big for him, a trait essential for a left tackle.
When asked how he wants to be remembered, he replied simply, “as a good teammate.” After what will inevitably be a successful NFL career, he aspires to become an offensive line coach, giving back to the game that has given him so much.
No. 72 has become a steadfast rock for the Trojans to rely on this season. His leadership, mentality and character represent what it means to put on the Cardinal and Gold. Every quarterback dreams of a blindside they don’t have to worry about — Paige makes that a reality. As the left tackle, Paige is a fortress on the line, an anchor the Trojans depend on and the unyielding force that lets Lincoln Riley’s offense move with confidence.
