USC’s push to mine the Trinity League is starting to show up exactly where it matters most: on the practice field in fall camp.
No. 14 USC made in-state recruiting a clear priority in the 2026 cycle, and the Trojans’ renewed focus on the six-school private league has already helped shape a class that finished No.
- Now that strategy is carrying into a pressure-filled season for Lincoln Riley, with a batch of freshmen from that pipeline looking ready to matter right away.
The most obvious example is Trent Mosley. The freshman receiver had been leaning toward Notre Dame, his parents’ alma mater, before USC’s new personnel and position coach got involved and kept the 2025 MaxPreps California Player of the Year from leaving the state.
Mosley arrived with a reputation for playing a different speed than everyone else during his senior season at Santa Margarita, where he helped lead the Eagles to an Open Division state championship. That carryover has shown up immediately on campus, where he has turned heads and looks primed to start from day one in the slot.
USC also won a big battle for another Santa Margarita star in tight end Mark Bowman. The five-star had been a major target for several SEC programs and looked headed out of California, but the Trojans flipped the momentum last spring and landed a tight end with an advanced skill set who is also trending toward an opening-night starting role.
Then there’s Bowman’s Mater Dei teammate, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. USC was late to that recruitment, which is why he initially committed to Ohio State.
The Trojans kept working him throughout the fall and pulled off the flip on National Signing Day in December. At 6-2 and 200 pounds, Dixon-Wyatt came in as a top 50 overall prospect, stood out in the spring and has taken another step in fall camp.
If sophomore Tanook Hines remains limited, Dixon-Wyatt could be the third former Trinity League standout in USC’s starting offense for week 0 against San Jose State. At the very least, he looks locked into a major role in the receiver rotation.
Another Mater Dei product, defensive lineman Tomuhini “TomTom” Topui, followed a similar path. He was originally committed to Oregon before flipping to USC last spring.
After a solid spring, he has taken off in camp. At 6-3 and 320 pounds, Topui adds depth to one of the roster’s strongest position groups and is expected to earn a spot in the rotation.
Those four freshmen alone say plenty about what USC built with the help of an NFL-style front office led by Chad Bowden and a staff that has gone hard on the recruiting trail.
Luke Wafle, the No. 1 overall recruit and one of the class’s biggest prizes, is still pushing for a starting job. Even if he doesn’t get there immediately, he is in line for a major role and could be the No. 3 defensive end.
Linebacker Talanoa Ili also fits into the Trinity League story, even though his path included a senior season at Kahuku in Hawaii after starring at Orange Lutheran for three years. Ili was trending toward Oregon at the turn of last year before a Junior Day visit to USC changed the picture, especially after his first interaction with Bowden. He is expected to be a key backup this fall.
USC’s depth chart also has room for more Trinity League influence. Cornerback Elbert “Rock” Hill will open the year as a backup but should get an early chance to show he belongs in the rotation.
Running back Deshonne Redeaux adds another bursty option to the backfield. And safety Madden Riordan has drawn strong praise from Riley in both the spring and fall, putting him in position to become an important reserve on the back end.
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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 🡒]
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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
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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 🡒]