The number 55 has become more than a digit on a USC football uniform; it is a symbol of excellence that has resonated through decades of Trojan defense. As the program prepares to open its 2026 season on August 29 against San Jose State, the legacy of that jersey continues to shape conversations about who might next be entrusted with the honor.
The 55 Club: A Brotherhood of Greats
Junior Seau, who donned the number in the late 1980s, recorded 19 sacks in 1989 and earned All‑American honors. His performance helped USC capture a Pac‑10 title and a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan, cementing his place among the program’s all‑time greats.
Willie McGinest succeeded Seau, guiding the Trojans from 1990 to 1993. He earned first‑team All‑Pac‑10 recognition in 1992 and 1993, was named an All‑American in 1993, and later spent 12 seasons with the New England Patriots, where he amassed three Super Bowl rings and set the NFL record for career playoff sacks.
Chris Claiborne, the 1998 Butkus Award winner, brought national attention to the jersey with his unanimous All‑American selection and an eight‑year NFL career. Keith Rivers, a key member of USC’s 2004 national championship team, added his own luster to the number before becoming a top‑ten draft pick and a seven‑year NFL veteran.
Lamar Dawson wore the jersey from 2011 to 2015, but his production fell short of the lofty expectations set by his predecessors. Since his graduation, the number has remained unassigned, a silent tribute to the standards set by those who came before.
Now, head coach Lincoln Riley must decide whether to reopen the prestigious honor. His choice will determine if the next generation of Trojans can join the ranks of Seau, McGinest, Claiborne, and Rivers in the storied 55 Club.