By : Ethan Horner
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
This year, Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans are determined to bounce back after a disappointing season. Known as a quarterback magician, Riley is rolling with junior signal-caller Jayden Maiava out of Hawaii. Maiava brings confidence and playmaking ability to the table, especially with one of the most talented receiver rooms in the country at his disposal. The pressure is on this year for the Trojans to deliver, as they currently boast the nation’s top-ranked 2026 recruiting class according to On3 and Rivals. With so much young talent already committed, USC knows the importance of proving they can win now—both to solidify their future and to keep those prized recruits locked in.
I really like this USC receiver room, especially the duo of 6’4” Ja’Kobi Lane and MaKai Lemon. Lane was a red-zone nightmare in 2024, hauling in 12 touchdowns while flashing his ability to make highlight-reel, jaw-dropping grabs. On the other side, Lemon proved to be a reliable and explosive playmaker, totaling 764 receiving yards and averaging an impressive 14 yards per catch. Together, they give Jayden Maiava two dynamic weapons who can stretch the field and keep defenses on their heels.
The Trojans made a big splash this offseason by adding former NFL coach Rob Ryan to their already well-rounded defensive staff as the new linebackers coach. Lincoln Riley expressed his excitement about the hire, saying, “Rob Ryan is one of the most accomplished defensive coaches in NFL history.” With Ryan’s experience and leadership, USC looks to build on last year’s strong defensive performance and take another step forward this season.
The Trojans face a tough road this year, with four preseason ranked teams on their schedule. In my opinion, a successful season for USC would be hitting that 9-win mark, but with the talent they have, they could very well exceed expectations and emerge as a dark horse playoff contender. Entering Lincoln Riley’s fourth year at the helm, I’m excited to see how this team develops and whether they can finally put it all together and make a serious run.