USC won’t be part of the 12-team College Football Playoff this season, but that hasn’t stopped the Trojans from making the most of a postseason landscape that’s gotten increasingly complicated-and, frankly, a little chaotic. Opt-outs, transfer portal moves, draft prep, and even early surgeries have become the new normal across college football. But Lincoln Riley’s squad is embracing the moment, choosing to suit up one more time in 2025 with a trip to the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 30, where they’ll face TCU in San Antonio.
It’s a decision that speaks volumes about the culture USC is trying to build. While some programs have elected to skip bowl season altogether, and several top players are understandably sitting out to protect their NFL futures, USC is leaning into the opportunity to develop the next wave of Trojans.
Key Absences, Key Opportunities
The Trojans will be without several key contributors when they take the field at the Alamodome. Wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane are headed for the NFL Draft and won’t suit up, with Lemon yet to make a formal announcement but already moving on. Safety Kamari Ramsey is also out, as are freshman defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart and starting offensive linemen Elijah Paige and Kilian O’Connor, all of whom are recovering from surgeries they postponed during the season.
That’s a lot of talent on the sideline. But it also means a lot of opportunity for players who’ve been waiting in the wings.
Lincoln Riley’s Development Blueprint
Riley has seen this before. In fact, he’s counting on it.
“It happens all the time,” he said, pointing to past examples like Lemon’s breakout in last year’s bowl game, or how Elijah Paige got his first real taste of action in the Holiday Bowl. “Prophet Brown really stood out. I remember that year, and [he] played out of his mind in that game.”
This is the silver lining in the opt-out era: while some big names rest up for the draft, younger players get a chance to shine under the lights. And Riley’s not just throwing bodies out there-he sees these bowl reps as foundational.
“For the following year, this is great,” he said. “So many of these guys are getting that experience that maybe without that they wouldn’t have.
It’s so, so valuable. This will be the real big spark that could start a great career.”
The Next Men Up
One of the most intriguing names to watch in the Alamo Bowl is wide receiver Tanook Hines. The young wideout quietly climbed the depth chart this season, finishing fourth on the team in receptions and third among Trojan wideouts. With Lemon and Lane out, Hines now steps into a lead role-and with that comes the attention of the opposing defense.
It’s a big moment for Hines, who’s shown flashes but now has a chance to be “the guy.” It’s also a valuable test for USC’s offensive staff, giving them a look at how Hines handles being the focal point.
On the defensive side, freshman Alex Graham is another name to circle. The Detroit native turned heads during fall camp and worked his way into the two-deep before an injury derailed most of his freshman campaign.
But he’s back now, and not just back-he’s playing meaningful snaps. Graham logged a team-high 59 reps at nickel against UCLA and could see even more action in the bowl, potentially at multiple spots in the secondary.
For a player who lost so much developmental time to injury, this bowl game is a chance to make up ground-and maybe even carve out a bigger role heading into 2026.
No Early Previews for the No. 1 Class
USC fans hoping for an early look at members of the Trojans’ top-ranked recruiting class will likely have to wait until spring. Riley noted that the logistics of getting early enrollees cleared to practice are more complicated than they used to be.
“It’s not as easy to just show up one day and come out and practice,” he said. “There’s a lot of certification, all that has to go on.”
Still, the buzz around the incoming class is real. And while those players won’t be on the field in San Antonio, the groundwork for their future is being laid right now-with practices that are suddenly a lot more competitive.
“It’s Their Time”
Riley didn’t name names, but you can tell he’s energized by what he’s seeing on the practice field. With so many regular contributors out, the reps are wide open-and the younger players are seizing the moment.
“There’s gonna be guys all over the place that are gonna have some opportunities,” Riley said. “Maybe it’s some of the guys that you saw just a little bit in the season. In some instances, there’ll be guys that get some burn in this game that maybe haven’t played at all or very, very little.”
That’s the beauty of bowl season in the modern era. It’s not just about the game-it’s about the ramp-up to next year. Every rep in practice, every snap in the game, is a chance for the next wave of Trojans to show they’re ready.
“If you said, ‘What’s the most valuable part of all this?’ It’s days like this where we’re just pouring reps into all of these guys,” Riley said. “The energy is just different because all these guys feel like it’s their time.”
Looking Ahead
The Alamo Bowl isn’t just a capstone for USC’s 2025 season-it’s a springboard into 2026. With top veterans out, the spotlight shifts to the next generation. And while the stakes may not be playoff-level, the implications for the Trojans’ future are massive.
For players like Hines, Graham, and others, this is more than just a bowl game. It’s a chance to prove they’re ready to be the next stars in cardinal and gold.
And for USC, it’s a reminder that even in a postseason full of opt-outs and uncertainty, there’s still plenty to gain-if you’re willing to show up and compete.