A Recruiting Surge
Under head coach Lincoln Riley, the Trojans are leveraging a recruiting class that sits at No. 5 nationally and holds the top spot among high school prospects for 2026, a haul that promises to reshape the roster with immediate impact.
The upcoming slate features five opponents currently ranked within the Top 25, a list that includes the Buckeyes of Ohio State and the Ducks of Oregon, setting the stage for a rigorous mid‑season gauntlet that begins with a primetime showdown on October 31.
The Ohio State Test
A win over Ohio State would not only boost the Trojans’ playoff positioning but also serve as a recruiting catalyst, reinforcing the narrative that USC can compete for national titles on the West Coast.
Veteran quarterback Jayden Maiava, along with standouts such as Tanook Hines, David Jacobs and Mekai Brown, are expected to shoulder greater responsibilities as the team looks to translate talent into on‑field production.