The USC Trojans are heading into the 2026 season with a roster that has plenty going for it, but one of the most interesting questions in camp is sitting right in the middle of the defense. Lincoln Riley made that clear Tuesday when he pointed to the linebacker room as a group worth watching closely once fall camp opens this week.
“I think linebacker will definitely be an interesting one to see how that plays out,” Riley said Tuesday. “It's going to be kind of interesting to see how that plays out and the different ways we use those guys because we do have some unique athletes in that room.”
That kind of comment usually comes when a coach is staring at a major rebuild. This time, it’s different.
USC is not trying to patch over a bunch of departures or scramble to find answers. Instead, the Trojans are bringing back almost the entire group and adding another proven piece through the transfer portal.
At the top of the room is junior Desman Stephens II, who turned into one of USC’s most productive defenders in 2025. He finished last season as the team leader with 89 tackles.
USC also brought in former Washington linebacker Deven Bryant, who started 10 games for the Huskies last season and posted 63 tackles in 2025. His Big Ten experience gives the Trojans another steady body in a room that already has a lot of moving parts.
The returning depth doesn’t stop there. Redshirt sophomore Jadyn Walker is back after starting five games last season and putting up 33 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a sack. Redshirt junior Ta'Mere Robinson and redshirt sophomore Elijah Newby add more options, and highly touted freshman Shaun Scott gives USC another player with upside.
That kind of depth changes the feel of a camp battle. It means every rep matters, and it also means USC has a chance to keep bodies fresh when the season drags on and the Big Ten schedule starts to wear on everyone.
“We're going to have a lot of guys play. We're going to be able to rotate, and that matters for competition,” Riley said.
“Iron truly does sharpen iron at this level. But it also matters to give your roster the best chance of being as healthy as possible.
That's our big goal for us.”
The linebacker group also lines up well with what defensive coordinator Gary Patterson wants to do. Patterson has built his name on an aggressive style that values speed and versatility, and he likes moving players around. That makes this particular room a strong match for his approach.
USC also added another important voice this offseason in linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler. He’s entering his 23rd season coaching at the FBS level and has worked at Tennessee, Nebraska, Georgia, and Oklahoma, where he coached All-Americans, NFL Draft picks, and multiple All-Conference linebackers.
Now Ekeler and Patterson get to work with a linebacker room that already has size, experience, and a lot of different options. That’s why this group stands out as one of the most intriguing parts of USC’s preseason picture.
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