USC’s defensive reset after the 41-27 loss to Oregon has been one of the clearer developments for the No. 16 Trojans, but Lincoln Riley is also taking stock of something less flashy and maybe just as important: getting Elijah Newby back.
The veteran linebacker was originally expected to miss all of 2026 after suffering a knee injury, so his return has been a lift in more ways than one. Newby’s numbers this season are modest - two solo tackles, one sack and one forced fumble - but one play stood out in USC’s defensive surge: a strip sack against Washington.
Elijah Newby strip sack and Jahkeem Stewart rumbles down the field for a 48-yard touchdown pic.twitter.com/ZMOmiakOnE
What Riley keeps coming back to, though, is the part that doesn’t show up cleanly in a stat line. Newby has become a vocal presence before games and a steadying voice in the locker room.
That showed up before USC had to walk into Penn State’s “white out” atmosphere at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 10.
White noise. 🔇✌️USC vs. Penn State 🍿 pic.twitter.com/cO4zHsAkCD
Riley said Newby’s return gave the team a needed boost, especially after the injury initially looked far worse.
"When he got injured in fall camp, we all thought it had the look of a season ender," Riley told reporters via his Zoom call on Oct. 22.
"When we got the good news that it wasn't, we knew he was going back. That was a big lift for our team because he's a good player and also, just an emotional spark plug for this team."
USC does not lean on Newby to be a headline-grabbing edge presence. That job, at least in part, belongs to younger athletes like freshman edge rusher Luke Wafle and defensive tackle Jide Abasiri, who are making noise with their athleticism.
Newby’s value is a little different. Riley pointed to his leadership and the way he helps set the tone.
"He's got a real voice on this team from a leadership perspective," Riley said. "So getting him back was huge and he busted his tail to get back.
He's obviously helped us some from a package standpoint. But his athleticism and ability to defend the run is pretty apparent."
Before the 2026 season, Newby had already put together 10 tackles and six solo stops. His third college season has become something of a breakout, with the linebacker showing the athleticism that made him a four-star recruit.
He also brings a jolt on special teams, where Riley likes the way Newby attacks the field looking to land a big hit. That part of his game has been a big reason the coach keeps talking up the value of his return.
"There's not many 'backers who can run like this guy can run," Riley said. "And I think over the weeks, he's been getting healthier and healthier. Just knocking off some rust from missing the time he did with the injury."
With USC seeking more defensive consistency and a stronger special teams presence, Newby’s return matters even more as the Trojans head to Madison to face Wisconsin on Oct. 24 and its dual-threat quarterback Colton Joseph. Riley said Newby can be especially useful in the second half of the season.
"I think when you look at this second half of the season from say both a defense and ST (special teams) standpoint, he can help us more in the back half," Riley said.
In Other News...
USCs Jide Abasiri Took An Unusual Path To NFL Buzz
Jide Abasiris rise has not followed the usual recruiting script. He started playing football in secret as a freshman in high school, even though his parents were initially opposed, and the route he took from there has been shaped as much by wrestling as by football. The combination helped him build the athleticism and discipline that now show up in his game, turning what began as a hidden decision into a legitimate launch point for his future.
Now a junior at USC, Abasiri has moved from an unlikely beginning to real NFL buzz, with early draft attention already circling him for 2027. For the Trojans, that kind of trajectory matters because it speaks to both his ceiling and his development, and it also adds another layer to a player whose path to prominence was anything but conventional. [Read more 🡒]
USC Offense Faces One Mistake It Can't Afford Against Wisconsin
Wisconsins defense left a solid impression in its recent game against UCLA, limiting the Bruins to 17 points even with a backup quarterback in the lineup. For USC, that kind of performance is the reminder that this weekend is not just about matching up talent-for-talent, but about taking care of the ball and avoiding the kind of mistake that can tilt a game against a disciplined opponent.
The Badgers have enough on that side of the ball to make life difficult if USC gets loose with possession or tries to force plays that are not there. Against a defense that can stay organized and capitalize on errors, the Trojans will need cleaner execution than usual, because one turnover or one bad decision could be the difference in a game that already looks like it will demand patience and precision. [Read more 🡒]
USC Gets A Chance To Change The Seasons Mood Against Wisconsin
Two weeks away from game action should give USC a chance to reset, and the timing could not be much better with Wisconsin coming to town. The Trojans have had extra time to rest, clean up some issues and get ready for a matchup that arrives with plenty of value beyond the usual Big Ten calendar grind.
One reason for the optimism is the expected return of tight end Mark Bowman, whose presence matters both in the run game and as a receiver. USC still has defensive concerns hanging over the season, though, and this game feels like an opportunity to show some tangible progress before the schedule starts tightening again. [Read more 🡒]