Lincoln Riley returns for his fifth season after a 9-4 (7-2 Big Ten) campaign. Luke Huard enters his second year as offensive coordinator, ready to take the next step with quarterback Jayden Maiava. King Miller and Waymond Jordan return as the featured running backs. The Trojans must replace the receiving production of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane. Tanook Hines and Zacharyus Williams return. The Trojans are excited for NC State transfer Terrell Anderson to make his debut. The offensive line got bad news the first week of August when Kilian O’Connor hurt his leg and will now miss the 2026 season. Elijah Page, Tobias Raymond, Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu return.

Gary Patterson, the long-term TCU coach, came over from Baylor as a consultant last year to take over the defensive coordinator role for the Trojans. USC is loaded with returning talent on the defensive line as Braylan Shelby, Jide Abasiri and Kameryn Crawford return. USC gets a boost in the transfer portal as Alex VanSummeren comes over from Michigan State and Zuriah Fisher transfers from Penn State. The Trojans are deep with players who can get after the quarterback, and Desman Stephens returns at linebacker alongside Washington transfer Deven Bryant. The secondary returns Marcelles Williams and Christian Pierce and is excited for Iowa State transfer Jontez Williams to take the field.

Mike Ekeler comes over from Nebraska as the new special teams coordinator. Ryon Sayeri returns as field goal kicker after connecting on 84% of his attempts last year. Lachlan Carrigan comes over from Memphis as the new punter. After losing Makai Lemon to the NFL, the Trojans will need to find a new return man. USC has strong talent in the trenches that can dictate the pace of games, and the running-back room is a clear bright spot heading into 2026.