USC’s 2026 freshman class on offense is starting to look like more than a future project. The Trojans have brought in a group that could actually matter right away, and the buzz from camp suggests a handful of first-years are pushing for real roles.
The most explosive name in the bunch may be Deshonne Redeaux. He brings track speed to the running back spot, and if he gets carries this season, he has the kind of burst that can turn one touch into six points.
His fall camp breakout has made it very possible he settles in as the third back on the depth chart. With King Miller and Waymond Jordan already giving defenses plenty to deal with, Redeaux’s home-run ability would add another layer of trouble for Big Ten opponents.
At receiver, Ethan Boobie Feaster has already shown why he is viewed as a big-play threat. Camp footage has backed that up, and there is a real chance he opens the season as the starting slot receiver.
That kind of weapon matters in games against Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana. Lincoln Riley should have no trouble finding ways to get him the ball, and Feaster has the sort of ability that can make both Riley and Jayden Maiava right.
Trent Mosley is another freshman Riley will want involved. He has the kind of speed that changes field position in a hurry, and he was already labeled this year’s potential Adoree' Jackson for the Trojans. His value could stretch beyond offense, too, since he brings special teams ability that could help USC in games where hidden yards end up deciding things.
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has also made a strong case for early snaps. He looks like a target Maiava can trust, especially because he can win on the tough throws that a gunslinger needs to make.
The game appears to come naturally to him, and he has taken advantage of Tanook Hines missing a lot of time in camp. That opening has allowed Wyatt to show how special he can be, and it would not be surprising if he ends up as one of USC’s most productive receivers by season’s end.
Then there is Mark Bowman, who is already the starting tight end. In that role, he profiles as a major piece of the offense and a potential security blanket for Maiava. The freshman has top tight end in the country type of potential, and the Trojans should see flashes of that all season.
Up front, Keenyi Pepe adds another reason for optimism. USC’s offensive line brings back some familiar faces, and even with the loss at center, there is still plenty of belief in the unit.
Pepe has only strengthened that feeling in camp. He looks like the first tackle off the bench if injury strikes, and there is a good chance he ends up seeing the field at some point this year.
In Other News...
USC Gets An Early Shot In A Recruiting Fight Fans Will Watch
USC is getting an early look at one of the most coveted defensive backs in the 2028 class, as four-star safety Jalen Flowers is set to be on campus for the season opener against San Jos State. Flowers, one of the top California talents in his class, already has a profile that has made him a priority for major programs across the country, and the Trojans will have one of their first chances to make a strong impression in person.
The visit schedule could only sharpen the competition. Flowers is also expected back for USCs game against Ohio State, giving the Trojans another shot at showing what their program has to offer while he continues to sort through nearly 40 scholarship offers. For USC, landing a player with that kind of national attention will take more than a game-day atmosphere, but getting him on campus this early is a meaningful first step. [Read more 🡒]
USC May Have Found A New Defensive Strength Under Gary Patterson
Lincoln Riley sounded noticeably more confident about USCs linebacker room during a recent media appearance, and it is not hard to see why the group has become one of the more intriguing parts of the defense. The Trojans have spent plenty of time trying to stabilize that side of the ball, and linebacker play has long been a key indicator of whether the unit can hold up against better Pac-12 offenses. Riley pointed to the groups physicality and athleticism, while Desman Stephens II, who led the team in tackles last season, has been working through a new defensive system under coordinator Gary Patterson.
For Stephens, the adjustment has come with some clear buy-in, and that matters for a position group that is expected to carry a heavier load this fall. Transfers and younger linebackers are also in line to factor in, giving USC a mix of experience and upside as Patterson continues shaping the scheme. The bigger question now is whether the Trojans can turn that confidence into a real edge on Saturdays, because if this group settles in quickly, it could quietly become one of the most useful pieces on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
USCs Biggest 2026 Concern Could Decide Lincoln Rileys Season
As USC looks ahead to 2026, the defensive line has a way of sitting at the center of every bigger question about the program. The Trojans know what the position means to their chances under Lincoln Riley, especially after the defensive struggles that showed up during the 2025 season. A better pass rush and a sturdier front would do more than clean up one area of the depth chart. It would change the way the whole team can play.
The rest of the roster still has its own pressure points, with the secondary and wide receiver room also needing help, but the line remains the clearest measuring stick for how far USC can go. If that group improves, the Trojans can start thinking about a more complete team instead of one that has to win despite its defense. If it does not, the season could end up circling back to the same issue that has defined too many of the recent conversations around the program. [Read more 🡒]