USC’s secondary is getting a new name to watch, and the Trojans are hoping Jontez Williams can pick up where Bishop Fitzgerald left off.
Last season, Fitzgerald wrapped up his college career with five interceptions for USC, giving the Trojans exactly the kind of ball production every defense covets. Now the spotlight shifts to Williams, a transfer who arrives in Los Angeles with a track record of making quarterbacks pay.
Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick recently highlighted Williams as a potential breakout piece for USC in 2026, and the numbers explain why. “Williams’ 2025 season was curtailed due to injury, but he was on his way to a second consecutive excellent year.
He brings his talents to Los Angeles in 2026 with the hope of leading USC’s secondary to success. Over the past two seasons at Iowa State, Williams hauled in five interceptions while breaking up six passes.
He has allowed a 25.6 passer rating since 2023, the lowest among FBS cornerbacks who have played at least 300 coverage snaps over that span.”
Williams’ 2024 season showed what he can do over a full year, when he picked off four passes. His 2025 production fell off because of the injury, but USC is banking on the version of Williams that was trending toward another strong campaign.
That matters in a Big Ten loaded with talent at receiver. The Trojans are going to need their corners to hold up week after week, and Williams looks like the player who could help set that tone. If USC’s defense is going to find success this season, the secondary has to deliver - and Williams is right at the center of that conversation.
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