USC Beefing Up Trenches with Big Ten Beasts
USC tapped into the transfer portal to shore up its defensive line, landing Michigan State’s Alex VanSumeren and Penn State’s Zuriah Fisher. VanSumeren, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound interior force with 52 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season, brings two years of eligibility after a redshirt and injury. Fisher, using a rare seventh year, offers veteran edge-rushing prowess with 19 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Neither may start immediately, but both add depth behind returning playmakers like Kameryn Crawford, Braylan Shelby and up-and-coming freshmen. They’ll join a rotation built around blue-chip prospects Jaimeon Winfield, Tomuhini Topui, Braedon Jones and five-star edge Luke Wafle, bolstering a defensive front that aims to dominate the trenches in 2026.
Bowden clearly treated the portal like a late-night infomercial—“But wait, there’s more!” Instead of shopping for cheap accessories, he splurged on the Big Ten bargain bin, proving that USC’s front four now resembles a clearance rack of bruisers. Who needs cohesion when you can have mismatched talent from two rival programs? Next up: ordering a quarterback from the portal buffet and hoping he comes with a receipt for a satisfaction guarantee.
Husan’s QB Saga: To Stay or Portal Away
With Jayden Maiava cemented as the starter, five-star freshman Husan Longstreet faces a critical decision: remain behind Lincoln Riley at USC or seek immediate playing time elsewhere. Longstreet saw limited action last season—13-of-15 passing in blowouts, red zone snaps, plus four contests to preserve his redshirt. Though eligibility remains, he craves snaps. Examples like Dante Moore, Arch Manning and Ty Simpson underscore that patience can yield top-prospect status. Riley’s reputation for developing elite quarterbacks, plus a strong bond with QB coach Luke Huard, make USC a prime development lab. Yet the portal market looms for a high-ceiling signal-caller with four years to play.
Apparently, the only consistent tradition at USC is quarterback nomadism. One day you’re the hometown hero recruited by Riley, the next you’re checking seven-digit NIL deals in the portal like it’s a clearance sale. The moral of the story? If you want to play, pack your bags; if you want prestige, sit and wait—preferably in designer sweatpants with a free pizza coupon.
Road Trip Red Alert: Trojans Wipeout Tour
The Trojans opened Big Ten road play with back-to-back blowouts: a 96-66 loss at Michigan followed by an 80-51 drubbing at Michigan State. USC committed 38 turnovers, shot under 35% overall and below 25% from three in both games. Injuries to guards Rodney Rice and Amarion Dickerson depleted depth, leaving inconsistent options like Jordan Marsh, Jerry Easter and midseason pickup Kam Woods to struggle. Freshman five-star Alijah Arenas is set to debut mid-January, offering a potential spark. Finishing the trip against Minnesota looms as a must-win to restore confidence before returning to Los Angeles.
Musselman’s squad decided their offensive strategy was “give the ball back ASAP” and “treat three-pointers like expired coupons.” Fans clamored for a panic button—only to realize it was just a Hot Tamale candy in disguise. The solution? Summon the freshman phenom ASAP, then pray he remembers which basket is theirs and which half-court belongs to the Gophers.
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