USC’s fourth fall camp practice offered the kind of look coaches like and reporters notice: a team moving with purpose, not one still trying to figure itself out.
The Trojans were in shells rather than full pads, but there was still plenty to sort through on a day that felt steady and mature from start to finish. That was the prevailing theme, too - USC doesn’t look like a group in search mode. It looks like a program that has already gone through the process and is comfortable living in it.
Jayden Maiava fit that description well. His growth showed up in more than just what he did on the field. After the opening stretch huddle, he lingered near the edge to greet teammates with low fives as they broke off, a small but telling snapshot of the leadership he has taken on since the spring.
Jonas Williams also drew attention in drill work, and it came in a way that looked different from what he showed in the spring.
After practice, Lincoln Riley addressed the competition unfolding across multiple position groups and made it clear those battles may not be wrapped up before the opener. Several of them are expected to carry into the regular season. Riley also pointed to USC’s depth as a real asset, noting the team is working with more than a full 105-man group in camp.
One position group Riley highlighted in particular was running back. With Waymond Jordan and King Miller both in the mix, Riley said USC could wind up with one of the best one-two punches at the position anywhere in the country, giving the offense two distinct styles to turn to depending on the matchup and the situation.
Here is the full Riley press conference:
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Lincoln Riley Just Offered USC Fans Their First Real 2026 Clue
USCs 2026 media day doubled as the opening bell for fall camp, with roughly 40 players and assistant coaches making the rounds as the Trojans started to take shape for the season. The conversations naturally leaned into the familiar August themes: team camaraderie, better recovery work, and the mental growth Rileys staff wants to see as camp gets underway.
Lincoln Riley also gave Trojans fans a long-view glimpse they can file away for later, even as the present still feels very much under construction. The day covered the usual camp checkpoints, but the bigger takeaway was that USC is entering the season with a lot still to be answered, from how the roster fits together to which jobs are going to settle in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Lincoln Riley Just Framed USCs Toughest Roster Decision Yet
Lincoln Riley spent part of his latest media availability dealing with a roster problem that is becoming the new normal across college football, and it is one USC now has to manage carefully. The Trojans are over the 105-player limit established after the House v. NCAA settlement, which means the staff is navigating not just depth chart decisions but the broader challenge of fitting an expanded roster model into a tighter framework.
Riley also pointed to the new NCAA five-for-five redshirt rule as a useful tool for handling that squeeze, since it gives programs more flexibility in keeping players engaged while protecting eligibility. On the field, he singled out running backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller as a duo with real upside, a reminder that even amid the paperwork and roster math, USC is still trying to sort out which players can give the offense its clearest edge. [Read more 🡒]
King Miller Gives USC A Run Game Fans Can Believe In
King Miller went from former walk-on to one of the more reliable pieces in USCs offense last season, and the Trojans are now banking on his growth becoming a bigger part of what they do on the ground. Thrust into the lineup because of injuries, Miller answered with 972 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, then earned a scholarship and spent the offseason adding 15 pounds to help him hold up to a bigger load.
The challenge now is turning one breakout year into something more sustainable, especially with Waymond Jordan back healthy and ready to share the backfield. USC should have a real foundation up front, too, with all five starters back on an experienced offensive line, which gives the Trojans a chance to run the ball with more consistency than they have in a while. [Read more 🡒]