USC opened the 2026 season short on some of its biggest defensive names, but Jide Abasiri wasted no time stepping into the spotlight.
With veteran defensive end Braylon Shelby and rising star defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart not ready for the first game, the Trojans needed someone to take charge against San Jose State on Saturday. Abasiri did exactly that, turning in a disruptive performance that gave USC a clear defensive anchor in Game 1.
Abasiri, who was named a captain for this season, lived around the Spartans’ backfield all afternoon. He finished with 4 total tackles, 2 solo stops, and 2 tackles for a loss. One of those plays carried major weight early, when he shut down a San Jose State scoring chance on 4th down in the red zone.
That kind of impact is exactly what USC needs from him. The Trojans were looking for a tone-setter, someone who could change momentum and make it obvious what kind of fight opponents are in for. Abasiri provided that spark right away, and he looked every bit like the player the coaching staff expected when they put the captain’s label on him.
The performance also fit the growing buzz around his name. He was one of the biggest standouts for USC in the opener, and the showing only strengthened the idea that he is the key defensive piece for this team right now. If Abasiri keeps producing like this, USC has a real chance to lean on him as it moves into Big Ten play.
For now, the Trojans have their answer on defense. Abasiri looked like the best player on that side of the ball, and he gave a strong first glimpse of what Gary Patterson is getting this season. USC’s defensive success will rest heavily on him, and the early signs are encouraging.
In Other News...
Kirk Herbstreit Just Called Out USC Fans Over A Growing Problem
USCs home opener offered the kind of stage the program usually wants to own: a ranked team, a chance to build early momentum and a fan base that has spent years talking about getting back into the title mix. But the turnout told a different story, with only about 51,000 in the stands for a game that should have carried plenty of appeal. That contrast did not go unnoticed, and ESPNs Kirk Herbstreit used his platform to point directly at the empty seats and the larger frustration they represent.
For a program trying to contend for the conference crown, optics matter almost as much as the result on the field. The sparse crowd also revived criticism of how the schools administration has handled the issue, adding another layer to a conversation USC would rather not be having this early in the season. What makes it sting is that the Trojans are still positioned as a national presence, but until the building feels that way, the gap between reputation and reality will keep getting wider. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Maiava Faces His First Real USC Test In Week 1
Jayden Maiava opened his USC tenure with a tidy first step in Week 0, looking comfortable in the Trojans offense while completing 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns against San Jose State. The numbers were encouraging, but the matchup with Fresno State brings a different kind of early-season check, one that will ask more of USCs quarterback in a game expected to carry plenty of points and pace.
Fresno State is turning to Jayden Mandal at quarterback for Week 1, giving the Trojans a chance to go against a passer with limited college experience and an injury history that has shaped his path so far. USC still enters as the favorite, but this is the sort of game that can tell a lot about how real the early optimism around Maiava is once the competition starts to tighten and the scoring chances keep coming. [Read more 🡒]
USC May Have Found A Freshman Lincoln Riley Can Trust Early
The season opener offered an early look at where USC wants to lean with its youngest pieces, and freshman tight end Mark Bowman wasted no time getting on the field against San Jos State. More than anything, he looked ready for the dirty work Lincoln Riley needs from a young tight end, handling run-blocking duties while also giving the Trojans a usable target in the passing game with three catches for 15 yards.
For a player who arrived with plenty of buzz from a standout high school career and an NIL deal with Nike, Bowmans first snap-to-snap impression matched the expectations around him. Analyst Landon Tengwall has pointed to Bowmans advanced physical development and blocking ability, and USCs staff appears to trust those traits early as the Trojans build out their ground game. There is still plenty to learn about how quickly his role can expand, but this was the kind of debut that suggests Bowman could be part of the offense in meaningful ways right away. [Read more 🡒]