USC’s 25-21 win over Washington on Oct. 3 did more than get the No. 18 Trojans back in front of their home crowd. It also put them in position to make a real impression on one of the top young defensive backs in the building.
Four-star safety Xavier Marshall was among the high-profile visitors at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the Trojans clearly caught his eye. Marshall, who comes from Roosevelt High in Eastvale, California, made the short trip in from the Inland Empire and watched USC’s defense up close as the team battled the Huskies.
Marshall’s football roots run deep. His father, Richard Marshall, played cornerback for the Carolina Panthers from 2006 to 2010 before later spending time with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers.
His mother also played basketball at Fresno State, so the athletic background is already there. The result is a rising prospect who has quickly become a name to watch in the class of 2029.
At 6-3, Marshall came away talking about what stood out most on USC’s side of the ball. He told Rivals National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney, “What I saw from them tonight was them rallying to the ball and playing with full effort every single play,” Marshall said to Gorney. “Also, just having so many options to switch in and out (stood out).”
That defensive showing mattered because USC had been under scrutiny after three straight rough outings against Louisiana, Rutgers and Oregon. In each of those games, the Trojans allowed more than 29 points under defensive coordinator Gary Patterson. Washington found some rhythm too, with dual-threat quarterback Demond Williams escaping pressure and creating plays with his legs, and the Huskies nearly finished with one last scoring drive before Williams threw an incompletion into double coverage to end it.
Marshall’s own production helps explain why so many schools are already circling. He broke into the starting lineup as a freshman for the Mustangs and immediately showed range, tracking the football like a receiver before coming away with it. During the 2025 season, he also delivered a big goal-line moment by forcing a fumble just before a ball carrier was about to cross into the end zone.
The traits show up all over his game. Marshall has his father’s patience in coverage, but he also has the eyes and quick reaction to close on the ball and force mistakes. That combination has drawn heavy attention, and USC is very much in the mix.
Cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed is leading the charge for Lincoln Riley’s staff, but the Trojans are facing a crowded field. UCLA is one of the schools Marshall already lists highly, and Nebraska has also stayed in regular contact. Marshall has already topped 20 offers, making him one of the most coveted 2029 prospects in the country.
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USC Fans Still Have A Reason To Watch Oregons QB Situation
Dante Moore was back on the practice field in shoulder pads and a helmet this week after working through concussion protocol, a small but meaningful sign for an Oregon offense that has leaned on his presence. The quarterback was injured in the game against USC, and his return to action is now tied to the Big Ten availability report ahead of Oregons matchup with UCLA.
For USC fans, the update matters because the Trojans own path through the conference can still be affected by what Oregon does at quarterback. If Moore is cleared, Oregon keeps its preferred option under center, but if he is not ready, backup Dylan Raiola is expected to start, adding another layer to a situation USC will be watching closely even after its own meeting with the Ducks is in the past. [Read more 🡒]
USC May Have Found A Freshman Pass Rusher At The Perfect Time
USC has been searching for young defensive help, and Luke Wafle may have arrived right when the Trojans needed it most. The freshman defensive end delivered his first collegiate sack against Washington and backed it up with a busy afternoon that included five tackles and two tackles for loss, the kind of disruptive showing that can change the tone of a front seven.
Wafles performance also earned him Big Ten Freshman Player of the Week honors, a notable milestone for a player already making his presence felt early in the season. He now leads USC in tackles for loss and ranks among the teams top three tacklers overall, giving the Trojans a promising edge rusher to build around as the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]
USC Kept Its Playoff Hopes Alive But Pressure Just Spiked
USC left the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a hard-earned 25-21 comeback win over Washington, a result that nudged the No. 19 Trojans to 5-1 and kept their season pointed in the right direction. It was the kind of response Lincoln Riley needed after a tense afternoon, the sort of victory that can steady a team while also reminding everyone how narrow the margin remains in a crowded postseason picture.
Even with the record improving, the bigger conversation around USC has not gone away. ESPNs projections still have the Trojans headed toward the Las Vegas Bowl rather than the College Football Playoff, and the schedule ahead offers little room to ease into the stretch run. Several ranked opponents are waiting, and those games will go a long way toward deciding whether this rally becomes a springboard or just a brief pause in the pressure. [Read more 🡒]