The 2026 USC Trojans are walking into the season with plenty of buzz, and the preseason polls made that impossible to ignore. USC checked in at No. 14 in both the preseason AP Poll released on Aug. 17 and the USA Today Coaches Poll two weeks earlier, a ranking that reflects both the optimism and the questions around this roster.
There’s real turnover to account for. The Trojans lost key pieces on offense and defense, including top receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane and interception leader Bishop Fitzgerald. Still, the return of quarterback Jayden Maiava and wideout Tanook Hines gives USC enough firepower to justify the top-25 billing.
Maiava feels like the centerpiece of everything. He’s already shown flashes of stardom, and in 2025 he improved his career highs in passing yards, completion percentage and touchdowns.
This is season three in Lincoln Riley’s offense, the same system Maiava arrived with from UNLV, and it has the feel of a year where he finally puts it all together. The toughest early measuring stick may not come until Sept. 26 against Oregon, when he’ll face a defense headlined by potential high draft picks Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei and Brandon Finney.
Even with that on the schedule, the expectation here is a 4,000-yard season.
Passing stats: 4,085 yards, 42 touchdowns and six interceptions Rushing stats: 50 carries, 144 yards, five touchdowns
The backfield should be just as interesting. USC has a new running back tandem in King Miller and Waymond Jordan, and both bring their own underdog edge.
Miller’s path as a former walk-on still drives him, while Jordan’s motivation comes from grinding his way out of junior college. Miller emerged as the surprise lead runner and said he’s more cerebral now during his Aug. 3 media day session with USC Trojans on SI.
That sets him up to crack 1,000 yards for the first time.
Miller: 1,087 yards, 13 touchdownsJordan: 875 yards, 11 touchdowns
At receiver, the logic is simple: Riley’s offenses live through that position. He’s done it before with names like CeeDee Lamb at Oklahoma, helped Jordan Addison become a late first-round pick out of USC and now has Lemon headed toward the Philadelphia Eagles as a top 20 draft pick.
With Lemon and Lane gone, Hines looks like the early favorite to take over as the No. 1 option. He’s already established himself as a vocal leader in the room.
Terrell Anderson, the North Carolina State transfer, adds another layer as a deep threat and should keep the production from dropping off.
Hines: 73 catches, 1,100 yards, 10 touchdowns Anderson: 65 catches, 1,025 yards, eight touchdowns
On defense, Gary Patterson’s 4-2-5 scheme points toward a secondary player leading USC in tackles, but the setup also gives linebackers room to attack downhill. That nudges the advantage toward Desman Stephens II to finish at the top again in tackles.
Patterson’s defenses have also produced big sack numbers on the edge, and USC has plenty of bodies there. Jahkeem Stewart looks ready to take a step, and five-star freshman Luke Wafle impressed in spring.
Even so, Kameryn Crawford gets the nod after posting 5.5 sacks last season and looks poised to climb higher.
In the secondary, Christian Pierce could make it two straight years that a safety leads the Trojans in interceptions. But there’s also room for a freshman to push into that role, with Elbert Hill IV and Alex Graham in the mix. Jontez Williams, though, stands out as a serious contender after arriving from Iowa State with five career interceptions and stepping into Patterson’s faster defense.
In Other News...
Zuriah Fisher Offers An Early Read On USCs New Defensive Identity
USCs defense is trying to look like a different unit heading into 2026, and the changes have come fast enough to match the ambition. Gary Patterson is in as defensive coordinator, five transfers have been added on that side of the ball, and former Penn State edge rusher Zuriah Fisher is part of the group tasked with helping reshape the Trojans into something sturdier and more disruptive. Fisher brings five years of Big Ten experience with him, and his presence fits the broader push for a defense that plays with more force and confidence.
Fisher has been back on the field after a brief setback in fall camp, and he has had a close view of what Patterson is asking for. The early signs have centered on a better baseline of physicality, especially from the younger players who are starting to grow into bigger roles and leadership responsibilities. It is still early, but the Trojans appear to be building a defense that wants to hit first and set the tone rather than react to it. [Read more 🡒]
USC Heads Into Game Week With One Roster Battle Suddenly Heating Up
USC wrapped its final full on-field practice before game week with a session that looked and sounded a lot like a team trying to get its last details in order. The Trojans worked through positional drills and special teams periods, with coaches active on the field and several players available to talk about where things stand as the opener approaches. Prophet Brown and RJ Sermons both offered insight into their health, versatility and the way the group is handling the final stretch before the season begins.
The biggest note from the workout was how cleanly it came together at a time when many teams are still sorting out their depth charts and physical status. USC did not come away from the day with any fresh injury alarms, and the overall tone suggested a roster settling into game-week rhythm rather than one scrambling to patch holes. Even so, there is still enough movement at key spots to keep one roster battle worth watching as the Trojans head into the final countdown. [Read more 🡒]
USC Linebacker Battle Is Bringing Real Pressure To Returning Starters
The linebacker room has become one of the more interesting spots in USC camp heading into 2026, and that is exactly the kind of pressure the Trojans have been looking for. Returning starters Desman Stephens and Jadyn Walker are back in the mix, but they are no longer operating with anything close to a clear runway, with Washington transfer Deven Bryant pushing for a role and freshman Talanoa Ili drawing attention as well.
Lincoln Riley has singled out Bryant and Ili as standouts, a sign that the competition is doing more than simply filling practice reps. For USC, the larger goal is to raise the level of play at linebacker and build a stronger defensive front, which makes this one of the more important position battles on the roster as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]