Big Ten Series: 2026 USC Football Season Preview
USC Fans are Tired of Waiting for Riley to get the Trojans to the Promised Land
By: Leo Haggerty · 1d
The USC faithful know that the Trojans have won eleven football national championships, but the last one was over 20 years ago (2004). Since then, the Men of Troy haven’t even participated in a single CFP, and patience with Head Coach Lincoln Riley may be growing thin amongst the fan base.
Last season there was hope, but three road defeats (Illinois, Notre Dame, Oregon) saw the Trojans slog through another season without an invitation to the postseason playoffs. This could be a make-or-break year for Riley. He needs to find a way to get to the CFP, or his seat will definitely get hot in a hurry.
Team Snapshot
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Lincoln Riley
2025 Record: 9-4 Overall, 7-2 BIG TEN
Key Games: Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana
Season Outlook
The Trojan offense returns nine starters, so experience will not be an issue, especially under center. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is one of the top returning signal callers (2nd in QBR at 89.9 and 5th in passing yards with 3,711) in the country. Running backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller (combined in 2025 to average 6.3 yards per carry) will again tote the leather. All five offensive linemen return, with bookend tackles Elijah Paige and Justin Tauanuu anchoring the hogs.
The big question mark in Los Angeles is how fast a new crop of receivers will develop. Wideout Tanook Hines returns, and the addition of transfer Terrell Anderson (NC State) will help, but a couple of true freshmen (wide receiver Boobie Feaster and tight end Mark Bowman) may have to step up in a hurry.
The defense was the Trojans’ “Achilles’ heel” (pun intended) in 2025, so former TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson was convinced to return to the gridiron to help the defense. The cupboard isn’t bare, especially on the defensive line. Two starters return (defensive end Kameryn Crawford and defensive tackle Jidi Abasiri), and transfer defensive end Zuriah Fisher (Penn State) will form the base of the 4-2-5 scheme.
The linebacking corps may be a bit suspect, but that’s not the case on the back end. Cornerback is a strong suit with Marcelles Williams, along with both Prophet Brown and Chasen Johnson returning from injuries, and the addition of transfer Jontez Williams (Iowa State) makes this a formidable unit. Safety Christian Pierce and nickelback Alex Graham will fill out the secondary.
2026 Prediction: Projected Record: 9-3 Overall, 6-3 Conference
To say that the Men of Troy are devoid of high-level 2026 draft talent is an understatement. Some notable preseason magazines don’t even list one USC player in their Top 10 at any position that would be considered a first- or second-day selection, but don’t sleep on this team’s talent. They have a boatload of quality young talent and a plethora of 3rd-day draft-level prospects. If that mixture comes together and stays healthy, the Trojans have an outside shot of making the CFP, but they have no room for error.
Top NFL Prospects
Junior quarterback Jayden Maiava may be the best opportunity for the Trojans to be represented on the first two days of the 2027 NFL draft. If the junior signal caller decides to join a crowded quarterback class, he’ll bring ideal size and strength to the position (6’4, 230 lbs.). He’s not fleet of foot (4.75 estimated forty-yard dash), but he has a quick release and throws a pretty deep ball. He’ll need to work on his accuracy and limit his gunslinger mentality to improve his draft stock, but Draft Nation predicts he will stay one more year and gain the experience he needs to rise on NFL draft boards.
BOOK IT DANO!
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