Progrums

Trojan Roster Rundown: Position Units Ranked for Fall Camp

Lincoln Riley’s 2026 USC Trojans roster is dissected from bottom to top, ranking each position group as the season approaches. At No. 9, the tight ends blend five-star freshman Mark Bowman’s unknown upside with portal pickups Tucker Ashcraft and JUCO recruit Josiah Jefferson but remain unproven. Linebackers slot in at No. 8, featuring transfer Deven Bryant alongside tackle machine Desman Stephens II and a handful of developing underclassmen. Safety, at No. 7, is in rebuild mode after losing starters to the NFL, trusting veterans Christian Pierce and Kennedy Urlacher to steady the ship. Wide receiver (No. 6) hinges on Tanook Hines taking another leap, with transfers and freshmen waiting in the wings. Cornerback lands at No. 5, bolstered by Carrington Pierce, Jontez Williams and high-upside youngsters, yet awaiting Chasen Johnson’s injury return. The defensive line is No. 4, anchored by Jahkeem Stewart’s breakout potential and a deep interior of Jide Abasiri and Alex VanSumeren. Running backs (No. 3) shine thanks to Waymond Jordan and King Miller’s dual threat, plus incoming depth. Quarterback holds the No. 2 spot, led by Heisman hopeful Jayden Maiava and backed by Sam Huard and Jonas Williams. Topping the list at No. 1 is the offensive line, returning all five starters and boasting young talent eager to vie for the Joe Moore Award.

Welcome to Lincoln Riley’s Trojan talent pageant, where every unit gets judged like misguided Instagram influencers vying for followers—except here it’s sacks and sacks of praise (or pity). The tight ends are essentially those awkward first cousins at the family reunion: everyone’s politely curious, nobody’s sure if they’ll shine or spill gravy on Grandma. Linebackers are auditioning for the sequel of “Fast & Furious” because tackles keep swerving into freshman shoulders. Over in the secondary, safeties are filling NFL-shaped holes harder than you refill a wine glass at an open bar—sometimes you succeed, sometimes you spill drops on the carpet. WRs are channeling reality-TV drama: can Tanook Hines carry the group chat, or will the portal transfers ghost him by Week 3? Corners are practicing shadow puppetry, hoping for a ‘Surprise, I’m back!’ from injured vets. The D-line? Think of Hulk Hogan back in his prime, minus the mustache, ready to crush everything in sight. The RB duo? Like a buddy cop film—one’s the grizzled veteran, the other’s the rookie hotshot. QB Jayden Maiava is already on a first-class flight to Heismanville, while backups fight for arm time like overzealous bartenders pouring shots at closing time. And the offensive line? They’re basically Stephen King’s latest horror story titled “You Shall Not Pass.” Roll out the red carpet—or at least the red turf—because these Trojans are ready for their close-up.