Lincoln Riley enters his fifth season after USC finished 9-4 overall and 7-2 in Big Ten play in 2025. Luke Huard returns for his second season as offensive coordinator, with Jayden Maiava back at quarterback. USC’s offensive priorities are replacing the receiving production of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane while integrating Terrell Anderson and Zacharyus Williams into the receiving corps. Waymond Jordan and King Miller return in the backfield after averaging 96 and 75 rushing yards per game, respectively, last season. The offensive line returns full-time starters Tobias Raymond and Justin Tauanuu, while Alani Noa adds significant starting experience after starting nine of the 10 games he played last season. Elijah Paige also returns after starting all seven games he played. Kilian O’Connor will miss the 2026 season after suffering a non-contact injury during an August practice.

Former longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson takes over as USC’s defensive coordinator. Six of the Trojans’ top eleven tacklers return from last season, led by leading tackler Desman Stephens II. USC’s defensive priorities are to maintain that core while integrating experienced transfers. Stephens and Marcelles Williams return as full-time starters, while Christian Pierce, Kameryn Crawford, and Braylan Shelby bring significant starting experience. Shelby and Crawford return along the defensive front, while Michigan State transfer Alex VanSumeren and Penn State transfer Zuriah Fisher join the group after making 12 and 11 starts, respectively. The Trojans are excited to get their first look at five-star recruit Luke Wafle. At linebacker, Stephens and Jadyn Walker return, while Washington transfer Deven Bryant adds significant starting experience after making nine starts. In the secondary, Pierce and Marcelles Williams return, while Iowa State transfer Jontez Williams joins the defensive backfield after starting all five games he played last season. The Trojans are high on 5-star freshman Rock Hill.

Mike Ekeler takes over as special teams coordinator after previously holding the same position at Nebraska. Ryon Sayeri and Caden Chittenden are competing for the placekicking job, with Sayeri securing the kickoff role during fall camp. Memphis transfer Lachlan Carrigan joins the program at punter, while USC will feature new contributors in the return game following Makai Lemon’s departure. Overall, USC enters 2026 with continuity at quarterback, production returning at running back, and significant starting experience along the offensive line, while Gary Patterson inherits six returning top-eleven tacklers and several experienced Power Conference transfers on defense.