
USC Trojans Gear Up for Playoff Push in 2026
With a revamped defense, a top‑ranked recruiting class and a $200‑million performance center, the Trojans are betting on talent and infrastructure to break a 12‑year playoff drought.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Alex VanSumeren across Football.

With a revamped defense, a top‑ranked recruiting class and a $200‑million performance center, the Trojans are betting on talent and infrastructure to break a 12‑year playoff drought.

Pat Fitzgerald begins his first season at Michigan State amid a 4‑8 record, a depleted roster and a historic winless streak in the Big Ten, aiming to rebuild the program for future competitiveness.

With 32 departures and 28 new faces, the Spartans’ defense faces a pivotal transformation as only four starters return, and the coaching staff pins hopes on transfers and emerging talent to climb back into Big Ten relevance.

USC’s 2026 campaign hinges on a revitalized running game, a fortified defense and an elite offensive line, all orchestrated by coach Lincoln Riley as the Trojans aim for their first College Football Playoff appearance.

After a modest 22-sack season in 2025, Michigan State’s defensive line enters 2026 with a mix of returning veterans, experienced transfers, and promising youth, aiming to overcome a sparse sack record and a competitive roster battle.

With a strong returning core and a highly touted recruiting class, the Trojans hope to turn preseason promise into a historic playoff run.

The University of Southern California's football program is preparing for the 2026 season, with fall practice set to begin on July 31. The early start is driven by a non‑conference game against San Jose State, and the roster features returning starters, high‑profile recruits, and a new defensive coordinator.

USC’s football program opened the sand to supporters with a free workout, drills and autograph opportunities, before coaches and players head to Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.

A 6‑foot‑6, 287‑pound defensive tackle with a Division II pedigree, Eli Coenen is expected to be a key contributor as Michigan State seeks to bolster its defensive line for the upcoming 2026 campaign.

A look at the revamped Michigan State defense, key returnees, new additions, and the optimism expressed by head coach Pat Fitzgerald as the team prepares for its season opener.

USC coach Lincoln Riley is banking on a wave of transfer talent, including former Michigan State defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren, to lift the Trojans into the inaugural College Football Playoff in 2026.

A look at the most consequential transfers for the nation’s leading college football teams and how they might shape the upcoming playoff picture.

The USC Trojans are preparing for the 2026 campaign with a wave of underrated talent — transfers and freshmen who bring toughness, technique and playmaking ability to key defensive positions.

Indiana leads the latest preseason top 25, with Oregon, Ohio State and a host of other programs rounding out the early rankings. Key players and coaching storylines promise a competitive year.

After going undrafted in the NFL, Malcolm Bell leveraged his strong collegiate performance and a CFL draft selection to secure a place on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, illustrating the unpredictable pathways of pro football.

From Texas’s explosive receiving corps to Georgia’s seasoned offensive line, the latest rankings highlight the teams that have mastered the art of roster completeness.

Early projections for the 2026 season highlight programs that combine elite quarterback play, positional balance and strategic portal additions, setting the stage for a championship race.

Michigan State’s hiring of Pat Fitzgerald, bolstered by a strong transfer class and retained star players, aims to climb the Big Ten rankings despite recent losses.