BY: KENNY VARNER
The USC Trojans enter the 2025 season looking to take another step forward after a 7-6 campaign last year, capped by an exciting 35-31 win over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl. It was a season filled with close calls — USC went 4-5 in one-score games — and while there was progress, there’s still a sense that the program is not where it expects to be. Head coach Lincoln Riley is now in his fourth season in Los Angeles, and supporters are eager to see the Trojans return to national prominence. This is a program that expects to be elite, not just competitive. USC brings a solid team into this campaign, but the question remains: can they avoid a costly upset or two and get back to being a consistent 10-win program?
As always with a Lincoln Riley team, the offense is expected to be explosive. Last year’s unit ranked 23rd nationally in total offense and led the Big Ten in passing. That production could rise even higher this season with Jaydan Maiava firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback. Maiava wrestled the job away from Miller Moss last year, going 3-1 as a starter and putting up big numbers, including 360 passing yards against Notre Dame and four touchdown passes in the Las Vegas Bowl.
The first challenge for this offense will be rebuilding the offensive line, where only one starter returns. That lone holdover is left tackle Elijah Paige, a talented sophomore who gained valuable experience as a freshman. The right tackle spot has been a spirited battle between Justin Tauanuu and Tobias Raymond, and whoever wins should give USC stability at the position. The Trojans were active in the transfer portal, adding J’Onreé Reed from Syracuse to anchor the line at center and DJ Wingfield from Purdue to bolster the guard position. This group will need to gel quickly to keep the offense humming.
In the backfield, junior college transfer Jordan Waymond is expected to make an immediate impact as the starting running back. He’ll be joined by Eli Sanders, a speedy transfer from New Mexico who adds depth and big-play potential, along with promising homegrown talent Bryan Jackson.
As is tradition under Riley, the receiving corps is stacked. Makai Lemon, who led the team last year with 52 catches for 764 yards, returns as the go-to target and should put up even bigger numbers with more consistent quarterback play. Jakobi Lane, who recorded 525 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns, is another dangerous weapon. The group gets a boost from Boise State transfer Prince Strachan, who has impressed in camp and could emerge as a key contributor.
Defensively, USC remains a work in progress. The 2023 defense was historically bad, and while it improved in 2024, it still wasn’t at a championship level. Turnovers were a glaring issue — the Trojans finished last in the Big Ten in takeaways — and the pass rush left much to be desired. That could change this year. Anthony Lucas returns after missing half of last season, and there’s a lot of buzz about highly talented newcomer Jahkeem Stewart potentially earning a starting role. On the opposite edge, Kameryn Foster has drawn rave reviews.
The interior defensive line looks stronger with the additions of Jamall Jarrett (Georgia) and Keeshawn Silver (Kentucky), joined by depth pieces Jide Abasiri and Devan Thompkins. Linebacker is a position of change after losing top tacklers Mason Cobb and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, but Eric Gentry returns after redshirting last year due to a concussion, and sophomore Desman Stephens is a name to watch for a breakout season.
In the secondary, Kamari Ramsey is back after being arguably the best safety in the Big Ten last year. The rest of the defensive backfield has question marks but also potential. DJ Harvey (San Jose State) arrives as a physical presence after a 58-tackle, four-interception season, and Bishop Fitzgerald brings two years of standout play from NC State.
The schedule sets up favorably. USC avoids two Big Ten heavyweights in Penn State and Ohio State, and not facing Indiana isn’t bad either. The early slate is soft enough that the Trojans should be heavy favorites to start 4-0 before heading to Illinois. The middle of the schedule is tougher, with Michigan visiting the Coliseum followed by a trip to Notre Dame. A late-season road game at Oregon looms large, and tricky matchups with Iowa and Nebraska could be potential upset spots.
If the Trojans’ offense clicks as expected and the defense takes a meaningful step forward, this team has a realistic path to 10 wins. However, if the defensive issues linger, an 8-4 season might be more likely. My projection: eight wins, with the possibility of nine. Anything less would be a disappointment, but the question remains whether Lincoln Riley can finally elevate USC from good to elite.