The Big Ten drew a hard line on Tuesday, and for USC that line matters.
The conference unanimously approved a new rule that bars players from returning to a Big Ten roster if they declared for the NFL draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster, or signed a contract with a professional league. ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the move, which comes as the college football rulebook keeps shifting almost daily.
The timing is no accident. The decision followed two NFL players - Cleveland Browns’ Dae’Quan Wright and New Orleans Saints’ Zxavian Harris - being waived and then announcing plans to join LSU’s roster.
Both players previously worked under LSU head coach Lane Kiffin when he was at Ole Miss. The new Big Ten rule also arrives after the NCAA approved a fifth year of eligibility.
Other Power Four conferences have already taken notice. The Big 12, SEC and ACC have not announced formal rules yet, but they are exploring similar restrictions on NFL players trying to jump back into college football.
Later Tuesday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported the penalty structure for schools that break the rule. The Big Ten is expected to treat violations much like the NCAA handles “ghost transfers” - players who move to another school without officially entering the transfer portal.
According to Nakos, schools that violate the rule would face a coach suspension covering up to 50 percent of the season, which works out to about six games. That coach would be barred from all on-field coaching, recruiting and administrative duties. Schools would also be hit with mandatory institutional fines.
For USC, the impact is straightforward. Lincoln Riley has not commented on the ruling, but he has already made clear he would consider adding NFL talent if the right player became available.
“We feel very strongly about the group that we've put together, we feel very strongly about the kind of culture and attitude and vibe of this team right now, and so first and foremost, we're going to protect that,” Riley said. “If at some point someone comes up that we feel like can add to the roster and add to the intangible part of this, then we would certainly look at it.”
That possibility is now off the table in the Big Ten. Players among the draft picks and six unsigned free agents, including Bishop Fitzgerald and Lake McRee, would not be allowed to return to the Trojan roster if their professional plans changed.
The conference’s move puts a boundary around a sport that has been drifting further from its old rules, and it leaves USC with no path to bring back players who had already taken the pro route.
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 🡒]
USC Freshmen Are Making An Early Offensive Statement In Camp
Fall camp has quickly turned into a showcase for USCs newest offensive pieces, with several freshmen already forcing their way into the conversation for real roles this season. Deshonne Redeaux has drawn attention at running back, while Ethan Boobie Feaster and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt have both flashed as receivers in a room that always benefits from fresh speed and separation.
Trent Mosley has also emerged as more than just another young wideout, with the staff viewing him as a potential playmaker who can help on special teams right away. On the line and at tight end, Mark Bowman is trending toward the starting job and Keenyi Pepe looks like a useful backup tackle, giving the Trojans a first-year group that could end up shaping the offense sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]