USC’s fall camp kept building on practice No. 10, and the tone was noticeably sharper even though the team was still working in shells. Coaches pushed the difficulty up across the board, with the most noticeable jump coming in the quarterback, safety and cornerback drills.
One of the clearest moments of the day came from freshman quarterback Jonas Williams. After he sailed a pass, quarterbacks coach Luke Huard stepped in with coaching.
Williams reset, went back to Huard for more instruction, and then answered with a clean, well-placed throw on his next chance. It was the kind of sequence that showed poise and quick adjustment.
Jayden Maiava also continued to draw attention for the way he is handling the offense. He kept showing leadership, made solid decisions, and flashed the arm strength that stands out on his throws.
Special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler brought his usual energy to the field, and the team’s chemistry kept showing up in the little details throughout the morning.
After practice, four players met with the media: Maiava, left tackle Elijah Paige, running back Waymond Jordan and running back King Miller. Paige talked about how close Maiava has become with every offensive lineman and said he has grown into a more vocal leader.
Miller said the added weight and muscle he put on this offseason have not taken away any of his quickness. He added that he feels as good as he ever has heading into the season. The discussion also touched on the connection between Miller and Jordan, along with the way Jordan relates to the offensive line.
Lincoln Riley also addressed what tomorrow’s scrimmage at the Coliseum will mean. He said he wants to see the team in different situations with a real game flow and get a look at how the younger players handle a scrimmage setting. Riley said he will be watching center closely, noting that he believes he has four possible starters but wants to see how they perform in simulated game action.
In Other News...
USC May Be Closing In On Lincoln Rileys Next QB Of The Future
USC appears to be making a move well ahead of schedule at the quarterback position, and the latest name tied to Lincoln Rileys pipeline is Texas prospect Trey Wright. A three-star recruit from Lone Star High in Frisco, Wright has picked up attention from a wide range of programs, with Colorado, Oregon, UCLA, Michigan, TCU and SMU all in the mix as he weighs his next step.
National recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong reports that Wright is expected to land with the Trojans, which would give USC another potential long-term answer under center to develop for the future. For a program that has built much of its identity around elite quarterback play, getting ahead of a crowded recruiting race could matter just as much as the commitment itself. [Read more 🡒]
USCs Next Wave At Receiver Is Already Turning Heads
Fall camp is giving USC a first real look at the receiver rooms next chapter, and the attention has naturally shifted to the players who could help fill the void left by departures to the NFL. Among the names drawing interest are sophomore Tanook Hines, who already has college experience, and freshman Ethan Boobie Feaster, whose arrival came with the sort of recruiting buzz that follows a highly ranked prospect into August.
Both have flashed the kind of physical tools that fit what USC wants to do on offense, which is why they are already being mentioned as possible major contributors by the 2026 season. It is still early, of course, but the encouraging part for the Trojans is that the next wave at receiver does not look like a waiting project, and camp is starting to show that the transition in that group may come faster than expected. [Read more 🡒]
USC Heads Into Scrimmage With One Crucial Offensive Line Job Unsettled
USC is set to get a longer look at itself in a closed scrimmage at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a useful checkpoint for Lincoln Riley as kickoff approaches. The staff is trying to sort out readiness and depth across the roster, and nowhere is that more important than up front, where the Trojans have had to keep searching for the right combination as camp rolls on.
Kaylon Miller has been among the linemen drawing attention for his progress, and the center competition has become one of the more important pieces of the preseason puzzle. With the offense still working through that spot, this scrimmage should give USC a clearer sense of who can handle the job and who is ready to step in when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]