USC heads into the 2026 college football season with a roster that looks loaded on paper, but the age profile tells a different story. The Trojans are the youngest team in the Big Ten by average roster age, and one of the youngest in the country.
RotoWire’s numbers put USC at 19.87 years old on average for 2026. That makes the Trojans the youngest roster in the conference and tied for 132nd youngest nationally.
A huge reason for that is the size of USC’s incoming high school class. The Trojans signed the No. 1 ranked 2026 recruiting class in the country, a group that includes 35 total commitments. Those players will arrive as true freshmen, and some of them could be in position to contribute right away.
Two five-star names stand out most: edge rusher Luke Wafle and tight end Mark Bowman.
Even with all that youth, USC won’t be leaning entirely on newcomers. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is set to be the veteran anchor.
He’s entering his fifth season in college and third at USC, and after starting for the Trojans in 2025, he threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns. Maiava is 22 years old.
At the other end of the Big Ten age chart sits Michigan State. The Spartans have the oldest average roster age in the league at 20.64 years old, which also ranks as the 15th oldest roster in the nation.
Michigan State is coming off four straight losing seasons and hasn’t won more than five games in a season since 2021. The Spartans are now led by coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Here’s how RotoWire ranked the Big Ten’s rosters by average age for 2026, from oldest to youngest:
- Michigan State Spartans
- UCLA Bruins
- Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Northwestern Wildcats
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Wisconsin Badgers
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Maryland Terrapins
- Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Michigan Wolverines
- Oregon Ducks
- Illinois Fighting Illini
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Washington Huskies
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- USC Trojans
Oddsmakers don’t seem worried about USC’s youth. DraftKings Sportsbook has four teams with the best odds to win the Big Ten, and all four are on the younger side of the conference’s age rankings.
Ohio State is the favorite at +180, and the Buckeyes are younger than every Big Ten team except USC. Indiana has the second-best odds at +250, even though the Hoosiers rank 15th in the conference in average roster age.
Oregon sits third at +260 and checks in 13th on the age list. USC is next at +1400, and its youth doesn’t appear to be a major obstacle on paper.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
In Other News...
Jaxon Kohlers Return Could Put One Spartan In A Tough Spot
Jaxon Kohlers possible return would be a welcome boost for Michigan States frontcourt, giving the Spartans another proven option as they sort through their rotation. It also would create a ripple effect for the players already trying to carve out minutes, especially in a season where roles are still being defined and every practice rep matters.
Anton Bonke is among the names that would feel that squeeze, but the bigger question is how the rotation settles around the returning big man. For Ethan Taylor, the situation is more complicated because a deeper, more experienced front line can change the path to meaningful minutes now while still offering a useful runway for later, when the lessons from this season may matter just as much as the playing time itself. [Read more 🡒]
Coen Carr Is Starting To Look Like Michigan States Next Star
Coen Carr has spent his college career trying to turn elite athleticism into a fuller offensive package, and the early signs are getting harder to ignore. The Michigan State forward has steadily increased his three-point attempts while showing more confidence as a shooter, a sign that his game is beginning to stretch beyond the explosive plays that first made him stand out.
The offseason buzz around Carr has only grown because the shot itself is starting to look cleaner, with practice clips suggesting a smoother motion and more comfort creating off the dribble. If that progress carries into games, Michigan State may have more than a high-flying role player on its hands, because Carr is beginning to look like someone with the kind of all-around upside that can put him in the conversation for major Big Ten honors. [Read more 🡒]