USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald made a major statement in his first-and possibly only-season with the Trojans, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors on defense. The NC State transfer was a difference-maker from the jump, and despite missing the final two games with a knee injury, his impact was undeniable. Fitzgerald led USC’s defensive honors and was the lone Trojan to earn a spot on any of the Big Ten’s three defensive teams.
Let’s talk about the numbers: 51 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (including a sack), and five interceptions-good enough to tie for the conference lead and rank third nationally. That’s not just production, that’s playmaking.
Fitzgerald brought range, instincts, and physicality to the back end of USC’s defense, giving the Trojans a true ball hawk at safety. His knack for being in the right place at the right time wasn’t luck-it was film study, anticipation, and elite football IQ.
His absence in the final two games after suffering a knee injury against Iowa was noticeable. USC’s defense lost a stabilizing force, and while others stepped up, Fitzgerald’s presence simply couldn’t be replicated.
Elsewhere on defense, USC had a trio of honorable mentions: linebacker Eric Gentry, defensive lineman Devan Thompkins, and safety Kamari Ramsey. Gentry, with his unique frame and sideline-to-sideline range, continued to be a versatile piece in the Trojans’ front seven.
Thompkins brought power and disruption up front, while Ramsey quietly put together a solid campaign in the secondary. While none cracked the top three teams, their recognition reflects the depth of talent USC had on that side of the ball.
On special teams, kicker Ryon Sayeri earned third-team All-Big Ten honors-an impressive feat considering the path he took to get there. A walk-on from the 2025 class, Sayeri wasn’t expected to be the guy.
That job was supposed to go to Caden Chittenden, a UNLV transfer and Freshman All-American who was limited by a lingering injury during fall camp. But when the door opened, Sayeri didn’t just walk through it-he kicked it down.
He started the year red-hot, going 16-for-17 and drilling a 54-yarder that turned heads across the country. For a stretch, he looked like one of the most reliable legs in college football.
But the grind of the season caught up with him. Over the last two games, Sayeri went 0-for-3, including two misses and a block.
Despite the late-season slide, he remains just two field goals shy of tying USC’s single-season record-a testament to how productive he was for most of the year.
Long snapper Hank Pepper also earned an honorable mention for his work on special teams. While long snappers rarely get the spotlight, Pepper’s consistency helped anchor a unit that was otherwise in flux throughout the season.
The Trojans wrapped up the regular season at 9-3 overall and 7-2 in their first Big Ten campaign-a strong showing that included standout performances on both sides of the ball. And while the offense often grabbed headlines, it’s clear that USC had some serious talent making noise on defense and special teams as well.