2026 USC Football Spring Outlook: The Time Is Now For The Trojans
3/4/2026
On Feb. 8, 2026, Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold made history by being the first USC quarterback to not only start in the Super Bowl, but to also hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Darnold’s journey is a story of perseverance, faith and hard work. While many fans and media wrote him off, he silenced the skeptics by recording a flawless postseason with 5 TDs, no turnovers, 672 passing yards, a 102.4 passer rating and leading his team to a world championship. In fact, Darnold has now won more Super Bowls than the four teams who let him go combined over the last 31 years.
“As long as you believe in yourself, anything is possible,” said Darnold when reminiscing on his path as the blue and green confetti fell from the sky.
It was Darnold’s time. Everything aligned: the team, the organization and the fan support.
Similarly for his alma mater, the Trojans are experiencing that same type of alignment. From returning the nation’s top quarterback and key veteran players, to signing the unanimous No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the nation, to securing the best coaches in game and opening up what will be college football’s preeminent facility, the time is now for USC Football.
COACHES
USC Football welcomed three new coaches to the defensive side of the ball. Gary Patterson, a decorated former Power Four head coach and defensive innovator, joined the Trojans as their new defensive coordinator. Patterson, who was recently named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class, was the head coach at TCU for 21 seasons (2001-21). He was the Horned Frogs all-time winningest head coach with 181 victories (.696) and won 22 national coach of the year honors and four conference coach of the year honors throughout that time. In 2009 and 2014, he was recognized as the National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA and Walter Camp. He finished his tenure in Fort Worth with a 181-79 record, including an undefeated 13-0 season in 2010 that was capped by a Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin.
TCU notched six conference championships under Patterson’s tutelage: Conference USA in 2002, Mountain West in 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and one share of the Big 12 title in 2014, with TCU being the first team left out of the initial four-team College Football Playoff. His teams won at least 10 games in 11 different seasons with 11 AP Top 25 finishes, with seven of those being AP Top 10 finishes, including No. 2 in 2010 and No. 3 in 2014. Prior to his arrival in Fort Worth in 1998, TCU had just four 10-win seasons in its history.
Patterson led TCU to 17 bowl appearances during his tenure, and he went 11-6 in those bowls. He earned BCS berths three times: the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, the 2010 Rose Bowl and the 2014 Peach Bowl. During his 24 years at TCU, including three seasons as defensive coordinator (1998-00), Patterson helped the Horned Frogs to earn 20 bowl trips, and TCU was 13-6 in bowl games with him on its coaching staff. Before the Patterson era, the Horned Frogs had previously been to a total of 17 bowl games between 1896 and his first season as head coach and had only four bowl wins in its history.
In 21 seasons as a head coach, Patterson coached 90 First Team All-Conference selections, 20 First Team All-Americans, 22 Freshman All-Americans, three Academic All-American selections and a Rhodes Scholar. As TCU’s head coach, Patterson had 49 players drafted by the NFL.
Patterson, a defensive savant, helped TCU to lead the nation in total defense five times (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009 and 2010). From 2008-10, TCU became just the third program in NCAA history to lead the nation in total defense in three consecutive seasons.
Mike Ekeler, a highly regarded coach who has over 23 years of experience at some of the winningest college football programs in history, returned to USC for his second stint at Troy and was named special teams coordinator / linebackers coach.
Ekeler is entering his 28th football season overall, including 24 years at the FBS level and 22 years at a Power Four school. He has coached in every power conference while serving on staffs at six of the 12 winningest programs in college football history (USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU).
The 2026 season will be Ekeler’s tenth as a special teams coordinator and he has led some of the best special teams units in the nation.
Paul Gonzales, an experienced defensive backs coach who is familiar with Gary Patterson’s defensive scheme, was named safeties coach / defensive pass game coordinator. He has coached multiple NFL defensive backs as well as a Jim Thorpe Award winner.
USC also elevated Skyler Jones, who most recently served as a defensive analyst for the Trojans from 2023-25. Jones, now USC’s defensive tackles coach, has experience in both college and the NFL, and will continue to enhance the defensive line and develop high-level performers.
SCHEDULE
The Trojans will open up the 2026 season with a Week Zero game on Aug. 29 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against San José State. USC holds a 6-0 all-time record over the Spartans, who are led by head coach Ken Niumatalolo.
USC then welcomes Fresno State of the Mountain West Conference to Southern California on Sept. 5. The Bulldogs, who are led by former USC assistant head coach for defense / linebackers coach Matt Entz, return to the Coliseum for a fifth time in series history. USC is 4-1 all-time against Fresno State (not including 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 5-1). The Trojans are 37-1-1 versus teams from the Mountain West (not including 2 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 39-1-1).
USC wraps up nonconference play and the team’s three-game homestand on Sept. 12 with a matchup against Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns, led by head coach Michael Desormeaux, will be a new opponent for the Trojans. USC is 1-0 against teams from the Sun Belt Conference, last defeating Arkansas State on Sept. 5, 2015, in the Coliseum.
USC opens Big Ten Conference play on the road at Rutgers on Sept. 19. The Trojans are 1-0 against the Scarlet Knights, last defeating them 42-20 in the Coliseum in 2024. This will be USC’s first trip to Piscataway, N.J. and SHI Stadium.
The Trojans return home to host Oregon on Sept. 26 for the Coliseum’s Big Ten opener. USC holds a 38-24-2 all-time lead in its series with Oregon (not including 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 39-24-2), last falling to the Ducks 27-42 at Autzen Stadium in 2025.
Another home game awaits the Trojans as they welcome a familiar foe, Washington, to Los Angeles on Oct. 3. USC boasts a 51-32-4 record over the Huskies (not including 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 52-32-4), last falling to them 21-26 in Seattle in 2024.
USC then travels back to the east coast to challenge Penn State and new head coach Matt Campbell on Oct. 10. The Trojans have not visited Happy Valley since 1994. USC leads the series with the Nittany Lions 6-5 all-time, last falling to them 30-33 in an overtime game in the Coliseum in 2024.
After enjoying a bye week Oct. 17, USC travels to Wisconsin on Oct. 24. The Trojans are 7-1 versus the Badgers, last defeating them 38-21 in the Coliseum in 2024.
The Trojans return home to welcome Ohio State to the Coliseum on Halloween, Oct. 31. USC is 13-10-1 against the Buckeyes, last falling to them 7-24 in the 2017 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
After its second bye week on Nov. 7, USC travels to Bloomington, Ind. to challenge the reigning national champion, Indiana, on Nov. 14. The Trojans boast a 4-0 record over the Hoosiers and haven’t visited Bloomington since 1981 when USC defeated Indiana 21-0.
USC returns to the West Coast for its final home game of the 2026 campaign on Nov. 21, welcoming Maryland to the Coliseum for the first time. USC is 0-1 versus the Terrapins, falling to them 28-29 in 2024.
USC wraps Big Ten play by challenging crosstown rival UCLA and new Bruin head coach Bob Chesney on Nov. 28 at the Rose Bowl. USC leads its series with UCLA, 52-34-7 (not including Troy’s 2004 and 2005 victories that were vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 54-34-7).
The 2026 season will conclude with the annual Big Ten Football Championship Game on Dec. 5, which will feature the top two teams in the overall conference standings at the end of the regular season, with the winner earning the Big Ten Championship. Tiebreaking procedures will be announced at a later date.
ROSTER
The 2026 USC roster has all the pieces: elite returners, experienced portal transfers and the unanimous No. 1 recruiting class in the nation. While some may view this roster as “young”, that assessment wouldn’t be correct. Yes, there is youth among the early enrollees, but keep in mind, these 32 freshmen will have the advantage of an entire offseason getting bigger, faster and stronger with Director of Football Sports Performance Trumain Carroll and diving head-first into the playbook.
“We have a higher percentage of our final roster here for the offseason and spring ball than any of us have ever coached,” said head coach Lincoln Riley. “The developmental piece of that will be huge.”
The new Trojans that were acquired from the portal have an average age of 22-years-old and have a combined 56 starts under their belt. They’re experienced and ready to make an immediate impact in their respective rooms.
Finally, USC is returning 17 starters, the most in the Big Ten Conference. USC’s offense continues to have strong continuity as it is the only team in the nation returning a starting quarterback, head coach and offensive coordinator for the third year in a row. The Trojans return their top three leaders in sack production, their two leading rushers, their leading tackler, a nationally recognized quarterback and the most experienced offensive line in all of college football.
USC is poised to have a showstopping season with the elite personnel that Lincoln Riley has assembled.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
The USC quarterback is a position unlike any other. This young man becomes a household name, an annual Heisman contender and is under the brightest spotlight. They are in a league of their own and comprise a historic fraternity of some of the best collegiate players in history. USC returns the nation’s best quarterback in redshirt senior Jayden Maiava. The 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team quarterback led the nation with a 91.2 QBR and has 31 career starts. With another year under offensive coordinator Luke Huard and Riley, who is the only head coach to tutor three Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks, have 3 quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft and has the most No. 1 overall draft selections in the common draft era, Maiava is expected to continue to make large strides.
“I’m looking for a very similar jump,” said Riley of Maiava. “He made a big jump in his play from year one to year two. He became a totally different player. We’ll attack it in a very similar way that we did last offseason. In the areas that we will attack now, we’ll zero in even further because he did so many things well last year. There’s still several opportunities for development that we’ve already identified, and knowing him, he’s already been grinding on it. We’re continuing to push him from a leadership perspective. He became more engaged that way last year and had more confidence about him.”
As USC’s starting quarterback, Maiava started in all 13 games for the Trojans in 2025. He completed 265-of-403 passes (65.8%) for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs with 10 INTs, plus he rushed for 157 yards on 54 carries (2.9 avg.) and 6 TDs. He also recorded 1 tackle and 1 forced fumble (one of two quarterbacks in the FBS to do so in 2025).
He was named to the 2025 All Big Ten Third Team, the 2025 Phil Steele All-Big Ten Third Team and the Pro Football Sports Network All-Big Ten Third Team. Maiava was a Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist and was a Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist. He was a two-time Davey O’Brien Great 8 recipient and a Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honoree.
USC also returns veteran redshirt senior Sam Huard. Huard, who transferred to USC in the spring of 2025 from Utah, saw action in 2 games (Missouri State and Northwestern). Against Northwestern, in one of USC’s most memorable plays of 2025, Huard, who officially changed his number to No. 80, came into the game on a fake punt play and executed a 10-yard completion resulting in a crucial first down that gained national recognition.
The Trojans welcome the 2025-26 Gatorade Illinois Football Player of the Year, freshman Jonas Williams. A 2026 Navy All-American Bowl invitee, Williams holds Illinois High School Association State Record for 11,347 passing yards and 147 TDs throughout his career. He arrives at Troy, ready to compete.
Finally, USC welcomes junior Will Doherty, who transferred to USC from Santa Barbara City College in January of 2026, to the quarterback room. Doherty’s grandfather, Bill Bond, was the 1964 NCAA Men’s Tennis Doubles Champion at USC and was a member of the Trojans’ 1962, 1963 and 1964 NCAA Championship Teams.
RUNNING BACKS
Led by Assistant Head Coach for Offense / Running Backs Coach Anthony Jones, the Trojans are positioned to boast one of the most dynamic and explosive running back rooms in the country in 2026.
The Trojans return one of the nation’s best backs, senior Waymond Jordan, a Midseason All-American, who burst onto the scene and rushed for 576 yards on 88 carries (6.5 avg.) with 5 TDs through just six games as a junior in 2025. He also recorded 7 receptions for 55 yards. Jordan will return healthy after suffering a season-ending injury versus Michigan which sidelined him for the remainder of 2025.
One of the most exciting stories of the 2025 college football season was King Miller. Miller earned national recognition as USC’s showcase running back after injuries plagued the running back room, and he returns as a redshirt sophomore in 2026. Miller, now on scholarship, rushed for 972 yards on 156 carries (6.2 avg.) with 8 TDs while appearing in all 13 games with 7 starts. He also recorded a successful two-point conversion and tallied 16 receptions for 11 yards. On special teams, he served as a kick returner, collecting 2 returns for 45 yards (22.5 avg.) with a long of 25. He was named a 2025 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and was selected to The Athletic Freshman All-American Second Team.
Redshirt freshman Riley Wormley (5 carries for 18 yards) and redshirt junior Cian McKelvey (1 carry for 4 yards) also return in 2026.
Two freshmen join the roster in 2026: Shahn Alston and Deshonne Redeaux. Alston, a Navy All-American Bowl invitee and 2025 Division III All-Ohio First Team honoree, tallied 172 carries for 1,548 yards (9.0 avg.) and 29 TDs as a senior at Thomas W. Harvey (Ohio) in 2025. Redeaux, a 2026 Polynesian Bowl All-Star and 2026 Navy All-American Bowl invitee recorded 156 carries for 1,447 yards (9.3 avg.) with 15 TDs as a senior at Oaks Christian in 2025.
WIDE RECEIVERS
USC is known for its outstanding wide receivers, especially in Lincoln Riley’s electric offense. Led by Assistant Head Coach / Co-Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers Coach Dennis Simmons and Inside Receivers Coach / Pass Game Coordinator Chad Savage, the Trojan wideouts are in good hands. After Makai Lemon put an exclamation point on a historic season by winning the 2025 Biletnikoff award, the unit is looking ahead to continue that standard of excellence in 2026.
The wideouts will be led by Tanook Hines. Although just a sophomore, he brings the most experience to the room. Hines saw action in all 13 games making 8 starts and recorded 34 receptions for 561 yards (16.5 avg.) and 2 TDs.
Redshirt sophomore Zacharyus Williams returns healthy in 2026. He played in just 5 games with 1 start in 2025 due to an injury suffered early in the season. He collected 3 receptions for 80 yards (26.7 avg.) in 2025.
Sophomore Corey Simms, redshirt freshmen Romero Ison and Cameron Sermons, and redshirt sophomores Brady Jung and Seth Zamora all return in 2026.
From the portal, USC welcomed Terrell Anderson (from NC State). The junior tallied 39 receptions for 629 yards with 5 TDs while appearing in all 13 games with 5 starts for the Wolfpack in 2025.
Four stellar freshmen wideouts joined the squad this spring. Tron Baker, a 2025 All-Mission League First Teamer, tallied 40 receptions for 626 yards (15.7 avg.) with 8 TDs for Sierra Canyon in 2025. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, a 2026 Navy All-American Bowler and All-CIF Division I First Teamer, recorded 42 receptions for 693 yards (16.5 avg.) with 8 TDs as a senior at Mater Dei. Trent Mosley, a Navy All-American Bowl invitee, led the Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles with 47 receptions for 648 yards (13.8 avg.) and 4 TDs as they won the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship. Coached by former USC Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, Mosley won a plethora of awards including 2025 CIF Division I Offensive Player of the Year, 2025 MaxPreps California High School Football Player of the Year and was named to a variety of All-American First Teams. Finally, Luc Weaver, a 2025 All-CIF Division III Teamer and 2025 All-Mission League First Teamer, recorded 22 receptions for 397 yards and 7 TDs for Notre Dame as a senior in 2025.
TIGHT ENDS
Tight Ends Coach Chad Savage will have an extremely talented tight end room to utilize in 2026. It looks to be the deepest tight end unit that the Trojans have had in many years.
Redshirt senior Carson Tabaracci returns as the oldest member of the group. In 2025, he saw action in 10 games with 1 start and recorded 3 receptions for 32 yards and 1 TD.
Redshirt sophomore Walter Matthews (saw action in 11 games, predominately on special teams) and redshirt freshmen Taniela Tupou (2 receptions for 26 yards (13.0 avg) and a successful two- point conversion) and Fisher Melton all look to increase their roles in 2026.
From the portal, USC welcomes redshirt junior Tucker Ashcraft from Wisconsin. He was limited by injury throughout the season, but recorded 2 receptions for 10 yards (5.0 avg.) while appearing in 4 games with 1 start in 2025.
Junior college transfer junior Josiah Jefferson, the No. 1 JUCO tight end in the nation, arrived at Troy in January. An All-Pacific Athletic Conference Team and All-California Community College Region III First Team selection, he recorded 36 receptions for 444 yards (12.3 avg.) and 4 TDs in 2025.
Highly-regarded freshman Mark Bowman, who reclassified and elected to forgo his senior year of high school at Mater Dei and enrolled at USC in the spring of 2026, looks to immediately compete for playing time at tight end as a true freshman. The five-star, regarded as MaxPreps 2025 Top Tight End was a constant difference- maker in the Trinity League. As a junior in 2025, he recorded 31 receptions for 370 yards (11.9 avg.) and 2 TDs.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
USC has the most experienced offensive line in the country. Led by Offensive Line Coach / Run Game Coordinator Zach Hanson, who has proven to be one of the best offensive line coaches in the nation, the Trojans will be formidable to face in the trenches.
USC is the only team in the country to return all five starting offensive linemen: LT Elijah Paige, LG Tobias Raymond (All-Big Ten Honorable Mention), C Kilian O’Connor, RG Alani Noa (All-Big Ten Honorable Mention) and RT Justin Tauanuu (All-Big Ten Honorable Mention).
Between the five of them, the offensive line boasts 76 career starts, and they allowed just one sack per game in 2025.
Redshirt sophomore Kaylon Miller, who saw action in 10 games stepping in for a variety of injured starters in 2025, returns ready to continue building on his impressive foundation and was recently put on scholarship.
Redshirt freshmen Aaron Dunn, Elijah Vaikona and Willi Wascher, redshirt sophomores Ratumama Bulabalavu, Travis Leonard, Hayden Treter and redshirt junior Erwin Taomi all return looking to contribute in 2026.
USC welcomed seven freshmen early enrollee offensive linemen. Chase Deniz (offensive lineman MVP at Cathedral Catholic), Vlad Dyakonov (Navy All-American Bowl invitee and MaxPreps All- California First Teamer of Folsom High), John Fifita (CIF Central Coast Section Division 1 Champion at Saint Francis), Breck Kolojay (MaxPreps All-America Second Teamer out of IMG Academy [Fla.]), Keenyi Pepe (2025 Polynesian Bowl All-Star, 2025 Under Armour All-American and 2025 MaxPreps All-America First Team out of IMG Academy [Fla.]), Kannon Smith (Colorado Prep Varsity Top 2026 Offensive Tackle out of Valor Christian [Colo,]) and Esun Tafa (three-time 6A State Champion and 2025 MaxPreps Second Team All-American out of Corner Canyon [Utah]) all are eager to compete and push for playing time in the trenches.
DEFENSE
The Gary Patterson 4-2-5 defense is legendary. A multiple defense where the secondary has its own assignments from the front six, and then the two are split in half with the ability to play man coverage on one side and zone on the other; it’s designed to confuse opponent offenses. However, don’t expect the defense to look the same as Patterson has called it in the past.
“Coach P plays the 4-2-5. Not really,” Patterson said. “There’s some things that are the same, but in 28 years, when you run the same stuff and you stay somewhere 25 years, you have to be able to tweak it, and you have to evolve. The fun thing about being here at USC is there’s things that they did really well defensively last season, and we’re going to keep those. There’s things that we may need to tweak or maybe it wasn’t quite as good, and then we’ll add new stuff in.”
“It’s time for us to be great on defense. Plain and simple,” said Riley. “The players are here. The setup is here. It’s time to step up into that next level of defensive play consistently.”
Riley knew Patterson was the right person to take the Trojan defense there.
“It’s hard to find a guy who’s been as consistently productive as a head coach, as a defense coach and a guy who’s been able to evolve in so many different ways with so many different skillsets,” said Riley. “A lot of the times, he did it with skill sets that were maybe not equal to the teams he was having to play against. We competed against each other for so long. Even back to my early years at Texas Tech, we were on staffs going against each other. He was always a pain in the a** to deal with. His ability to take away team’s fast balls, his ability to make offenses uncomfortable, his ability to take defensive groups that were able to play better than maybe what the sum of their talent was – I just saw it year after year. We can give him better players, more depth, more talent, and we can give him an opportunity where he’s not having to worry about all the different head coach stuff that goes on and put all that energy into the defense at USC. You bring people into your organization who are going to make everyone else better. This guy makes me better, and he makes other people in our building better. His experience is so unique. Anyone that knows Gary, knows there’s no halfway with this guy. He’s an absolute psycho. When he goes, it’s full speed. I don’t know if he’s left the office since he’s been in LA, but that’s him. He’s recharged, he’s motivated, he’s got an edge to him and chip on his shoulder. He’s really excited to be at USC, and we’re thrilled to have him.”
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Junior Jide Abasiri returns as the veteran leader of the defensive line. He recorded 26 tackles, including 4 for loss of 24 yards (with 3.5 sacks for minus 24 yards), 2 QB hurries and 1 forced fumble while appearing in all 13 games with 9 starts in 2025. He was named to Bruce Feldman’s 2025 Freaks List for his intriguing athleticism, having clocked 19.22 mph at nearly 300 pounds. More impressively, Abasiri’s 10-yard split was 1.60, and he’s squatted 700 pounds.
Redshirt junior Jamaal Jarrett, a fan-favorite, will make an impact in the trenches in 2026. Jarrett, who transferred to USC in the spring of 2025 from Georgia, recorded 3 tackles, including 0.5 a tackle for loss of 2 yards, and 1 INT returned for a TD in 2025. He suffered an injury that sidelined him for the majority of the second half of the season.
In one of the most memorable plays of the 2025 season, Jarrett notched his first career INT versus Purdue and returned it 70 yards for a TD. The play was dubbed the “Thicc Six”.
Sophomore Jahkeem Stewart, a Freshman All-American, looks to build on an impressive foundation and return to the field, healthy and ready to compete on the defensive line in 2026. Stewart, who enrolled at USC in the spring of 2025 after reclassifying and forgoing his senior year of high school, had a stellar collegiate debut making an immediate impact on the Trojan defensive line by decorating his stat sheet with 18 tackles, including 7.5 for loss of 27 yards (with 1.5 sacks for minus 11 yards), 1 INT returned for 4 yards, 1 fumble recovery returned for 22 yards and 1 QB hurry. Stewart recorded these stats while playing through a stress fracture in his foot the entire season. He was named an FWAA Freshman All-American and a PFF Freshman All-American. He was selected to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watch List. FOX Sports named Stewart to the nation’s Top 10 impact freshmen ahead of the 2025 college football season.
Also returning is fellow high-ceiling sophomore Floyd Boucard, who recorded 9 tackles, including 2 for loss of 13 yards (with 1 sack for minus 9 yards) and 2 QB hurries while appearing in 10 games in 2025.
Redshirt sophomore Brendan Cho and redshirt freshman Cash Jacobsen round out the returners in the defensive tackle room.
USC welcomed redshirt senior Alex VanSumeren from the portal out of Michigan State. In 2025, he recorded 52 tackles, including 2 for loss of 10 yards (with 1.5 sacks for minus 10 yards), 2 QB hurries and 1 PBU for the Spartans, and looks to immediately contribute in 2026.
Four talented freshmen joined the Trojans in the spring. Though injured in his senior season, Jake Johnson looks to dive into learning the Trojan defense. Braeden Jones tallied 85 tackles, including 15 for loss with 9.5 sacks and 6 PBUs for Mount Carmel in Illinois. One of the nation’s top recruits, Tomuhini “Tom Tom” Topui, recorded 25 tackles, including 9 for loss (with 2.5 sacks), 3 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles and 2 QBHs for Mater Dei in 2025. He was named a 2026 Polynesian Bowl All-Star and 2026 Navy All-American Bowl invitee. Jaimeon Winfield, a five-star and 2025 Navy All-American Bowl invitee, recorded 55 tackles, including 22 for loss with 6 sacks, 14 QBHs, 2 PBUs, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 3 blocked field goals and 2 TDs for Richardson in Texas. He was named the 2025 7-6A District MVP.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Defensive Ends Coach Shaun Nua has a healthy mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers to utilize in 2026.
Senior Braylan Shelby, a veteran presence on the defensive line, will be a leader of the group in 2026. He recorded 29 tackles, including 7 for loss of 20 yards (with 4.5 sacks for minus 17 yards), 1 INT returned for 18 yards and 4 QB hurries while appearing in all 13 games with 6 starts in 2025.
Junior Kameryn Crawford returns to be a difference-maker in 2026. He recorded 41 tackles, including 10.5 for loss of 42 yards (with 5.5 sacks for minus 34 yards), 1 fumble recovery and 1 QB hurry while appearing in all 13 games and making 8 starts in 2025.
Redshirt freshman Jayden Ramos looks to gain valuable experience this spring. He participated in 3 games in 2025 and tallied 3 tackles.
Zuriah Fisher, a redshirt senior transfer from Penn State, will compete for playing time on the defensive line in 2026. Fisher tallied 19 tackles, including 3.5 for loss of 22 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 20 yards), 1 forced fumble, 1 PBU and 1 QB hurry for the Nittany Lions in 2025.
Three talented early enrollee freshmen will bolster the defensive line room. Simote Katoanga, a 2026 Polynesian Bowl All-Star, helped Santa Margarita with the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship under first year head coach, former USC Heisman winner, Carson Palmer, by recording 35 tackles, including 11.5 for loss with 3 sacks and 2 PBUs. He earned placement on the All-CIF Division I Team.
One of the most well-known recruits in the class, Luke Wafle, was recently named the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class by Rivals/On3. Wafle earned a plethora of accolades including a 2026 Navy All-American Bowl invite, Navy All-American Bowl MVP, 2025 Maxwell Football Club High School First Team All-American, The Sporting News 2025 High School First Team All-American, 2025 MaxPreps First Team All-American, 2025 All NJ Prep “A” Football First Teamer and 2025 All-USA East Football Teamer. As a senior, he recorded 99 tackles, including 37 for loss with a school record 23 sacks for The Hun School of Princeton in New Jersey.
Andrew Williams, who has only played football for two years, recorded 64 tackles, including 12 for loss with 10 sacks at John C. Fremont. He looks to gain more experience this spring.
LINEBACKERS
Under the leadership of Mike Ekeler, the Trojan linebacking corps is poised to reach new heights.
Junior Desman Stephens II returns as the leader of the unit. He recorded 89 tackles, including 3 for loss of 6 yards, 1 forced fumble and 1 QB hurry while appearing and starting in all 13 games in 2025.
Redshirt senior Roman Marchetti, who was recently put on scholarship, saw action in all 13 games, primarily on special teams, in 2025 and will continue to be a vocal leader of not just the linebacking corps, but the entire USC football team.
Redshirt junior Ta’Mere Robinson, also primarily saw action on special teams last season, but looks to have an increased role in 2026.
Redshirt sophomore Elijah Newby also brings depth to the linebacking corps and looks to gain valuable reps this spring. In 2025, he saw action in all 13 games, predominately on special teams and recorded 8 tackles.
Redshirt sophomore Jadyn Walker has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential. After seeing action in all 13 games, including 5 starts in 2025, he will build on that foundation this spring to take the next step in his game. Last season, he recorded 33 tackles, including 4 for loss of 17 yards (with 1 sack for minus 5 yards) and 1 PBU.
Senior Nick De Fina also adds important depth to the linebacker room.
Redshirt junior Deven Bryant transferred to USC from Washington in January and looks to compete for playing time right away. In 2025, he tallied 62 tackles, including 2 for loss of 2 yards, and 2 PBUs while appearing in 12 games with 10 starts for the Huskies.
Three freshmen linebackers join the group eager to start taking reps on the field. Talanoa Ili, a 2026 Polynesian Bowl All-Star, recorded snaps all over the field as a senior, splitting time between MIKE, WILL and SAM while also being featured as a large nickel and a hand-in-the-dirt edge. He earned placement on the 2025 MaxPreps All-America Second Team while competing for Kahuku in Hawaii.
Taylor “Taybo” Johnson recorded 201 tackles, including 17.5 for loss with 6.5 sacks, 10 QBHs, 2 forced fumbles and 2 INTs for El Cajon as a senior in 2025. He was named to The Sporting News 2025 High School All-America Third Team and the 2025 All-CIF Division IV Team.
Shaun Scott, ranked the No. 1 linebacker in Orange County by PrepRedZone California, tallied 53 tackles, including 21 for loss with 13.5 sacks, 10 QBHs, 5 PBUs, 4 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery for Mater Dei in 2025. He earned placement on the 2025 MaxPreps All-America Second Team, the 2025 MaxPreps All-California First Team and the All-CIF Division I Team.
SAFETIES
With new Safeties Coach / Defensive Pass Game Coordinator Paul Gonzales at the helm, the Trojan safeties are ready to level up this spring.
Senior Christian Pierce returns as an integral piece of the Trojan secondary in 2026. He recorded 64 tackles, including 2.5 for loss of 12 yards (with 1 sack for minus 10 yards), 3 PBUs, 1 INT and 1 forced fumble while appearing in 13 games with 9 starts in 2025.
Junior Kennedy Urlacher made the most of his opportunities after transferring from Notre Dame in 2025. He saw action in all 13 games with 3 starts towards the end of the season, and recorded 26 tackles, including 1 for a loss of 1 yard (with 1 sack for minus 1 yard), 1 INT and 1 PBU.
Redshirt sophomores Marquis Gallegos (5 tackles, including 2 for loss of 7 yards) and Isaiah Rubin (5 tackles and 1 fumble recovery) and sophomore Kendarius Reddick (6 tackles) predominately played on special teams in 2025. They each hope to increase their roles in 2026.
Two freshmen joined the safeties as early enrollees. Peyton “Man Man” Dyer (the 2025 AAA Region 3 Safety of the Year out of Tyner Academy in Tennessee) and Madden Riordan (2025 MaxPreps All-California First Team, All-CIF Division I Team and 2025 All-Mission League MVP out of Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles) look to gain valuable experience this spring.
CORNERBACKS
Under the tutelage of Cornerbacks Coach Trovon Reed, the USC corners will display needed depth this spring and will return many players to full health in 2026.
Redshirt senior Prophet Brown looks to be an impact player in the fall after incurring a season-ending injury in fall camp and not seeing action in 2025.
Similarly, redshirt sophomore Chasen Johnson, who suffered a season ending injury against Purdue that sidelined him for the season, will return healthy and back in the mix in 2026.
Redshirt sophomore Marcelles Williams made large strides last season as he saw action in all 13 games and started in 11 recording 41 tackles and 5 PBUs.
After sustaining an injury at the beginning of the season, redshirt freshman Alex Graham showcased his talent towards the end of 2025. He recorded 15 tackles, including 2 for loss of 5 yards, while appearing in 5 games with 2 starts and looks to build on that foundation in 2026.
Redshirt freshmen Trestin Castro (1 tackle) and RJ Sermons and redshirt junior Shawn Sehra (2 tackles) each look to increase their roles in 2026.
Six newcomers join the Trojan cornerback room this spring: freshman Jayden Crowder, five-star Elbert “Rock” Hill, freshman Joshua Holland II, freshman Brandon Lockhart, redshirt sophomore Carrington Pierce (transferred in January 2026 from Oklahoma State), and redshirt senior Jontez Williams (portal transfer from Iowa State).
SPECIALISTS
The 2026 season will be Mike Ekeler’s tenth as a special teams coordinator and has led some of the best special teams units in the nation. He has transformed special teams units into a part of the game that opponents fear. Ekeler, working hand-in-hand with Co-Offensive Coordinator / Specialists Coach Ryan Dougherty, looks to make the Trojan special teams a dominant unit.
KICKERS
Redshirt sophomore Ryon Sayeri was one of the best stories of the 2025 season. After earning the starting role, he hit 21-of-25 field goals and all 48 of his PAT tries. He totaled 89 kickoffs for 5,715 yards (64.2 avg.) with 63 touchbacks. He broke USC’s single-season field goal record (19) and set a new one with 21. He was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and was a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist. He was a two-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. Sayeri is expected to continue to perform at a high level in 2026.
Redshirt sophomore Caden Chittenden suffered a season-ending injury in fall camp and did not see action as a sophomore in 2025. He was named to the 2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Second Team and the 2025 Lou Groza Award Watch List and returns healthy in 2026.
PUNTERS
Sophomore Lachlan Carrigan transferred from Memphis and looks to compete to be USC’s punter in 2026. He averaged 43.4 yards on 46 punts totaling 1,994 yards, of which 20 pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line and 7 went for 50+ yards, while appearing in all 13 games in 2025.
Carrigan will compete with redshirt freshman William Weisberg and redshirt senior Rey Sanchez, who appeared in 1 game in 2025 and recorded 1 kickoff for 65 yards.
SNAPPERS
Redshirt senior Dylan Black, a transfer from Oregon State and redshirt freshman Luke Brown will compete to be USC’s starting long snapper in 2026.
RETURNERS
Tanook Hines (4 kickoff returns for 52 yards [13.0 avg.]), King Miller (2 kickoff returns for 45 yards [22.5 avg.]) and Riley Wormley (1 kickoff return for 22 yards) all look to gain more experience in spring ball under Ekeler.
Prophet Brown, Trestin Castro, Jayden Crowder, Peyton “Man Man” Dyer, Alex Graham, Elbert “Rock” Hill, Romero Ison, Waymond Jordan, Trent Mosley, Kendarius Reddick, Deshonne Redeaux, Isaiah Rubin, RJ Sermons, Corey Simms, Luc Weaver and Zacharyus Williams all have previous experience as returners.
