LOOKIN’ FOR REDEMPTION: USC TROJANS 2025 SEASON PREVIEW
Written by Chris McLean
If you would have told me after the 2022 season, one in which Caleb Williams would win the Heisman and where USC was one win away from playing in the College Football Playoff, that the Trojans would go 15-11 in the two subsequent seasons, I would have laughed you out of the Coliseum. Wasting Caleb's final year in LA because of Alex Grinch's defense was a true misstep by head coach Lincoln Riley, one that could have derailed his time in LA. Fortunately, Riley would fix the problem by hiring D'Anton Lynn as defensive coordinator, to then find themselves struggling to finish off games they had leads in the 4th Quarter, which they did so in nearly all of them. The jump to the Big Ten was supposed to be a dream, but it ended in a nightmare of a 7-6 season.
Brutal.
However, momentum is a funny thing.
As of August 17th, USC has the 2nd best recruiting class, with 32 commits. The defense only allowed 24ppg last year, after giving up 34.4 in 2023. And the offense returns 9 starters.
It will be up to Riley and the players to make the most of this restart.
Offensively, coach Riley has always been known as the quarterback whisperer. He's seen three of his proteges win the Heisman. There are little worries on that side of the ball, outside of who is going to take the majority of the snaps behind center this season. Jayden Maiava took over for Miller Moss, after Moss failed to win all those close games the Trojans were in. But, Jayden looks poised to lead USC back to the top of the conference standings. An off-season as QB1 will have Jayden up to task for the coming season.
Although there plenty of returning starters, the Trojans are only returning 50% of the production overall from both sides of the ball due to some of the returning starters coming from other schools.
There is room for optimism, the offensive line includes 4 returning starters, notably J'Onre Reed at center (Syracuse) and DJ Wingfield at left guard (New Mexico and Purdue). Left tackle Elijah Paige is seeing some pre-season accolades.
Depth will be an issue at receiver coming into this year. Duce Robinson (FSU) and Zachariah Branch (Georgia) departed early and Kyle Ford is pursuing the NFL. But the top 2 wideouts, Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, return along with their nearly 1300 yards, 95 catches and 15 TDs. Expect Riley to rely on those two throughout the season.
As far as the tight ends are concerned, Lake Mcree is back for his senior year along with Walker Lyons.
Both Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner are gone, but incoming Eli Sanders (New Mexico, Iowa St.) and Waymond Jordan (Hutchinson CC) will look to carry the rock and emulate the output of Marks and Joyner who tallied 1,656 yards and 12 TDs in 2024. Sanders and Jordan both averaged over 7.2 yards per carry last season and will look to take advantage of the prolific system Lincoln Riley has implemented successfully over his near decade as a head coach.
Year 2 of defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn will see a familiarity with the system that should lead to better results, even though last years results weren't half bad.
Defensive end Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M) and defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett (Georgia) were brought in to bolster the defensive line. Sophomores Devan Thompkins and Kameryn Fountain will look to take the reins in starting spots on the line.
Secondary is the primary concern for the defense coming in to this year. Kamari Ramsey is the veteran in Lynn's system looking to anchor the back half of the defense. Bishop Fitzergerald (North Carolina St.) is battling Christian Pierce for playing time. The corners are young and inexperienced. DJ Harvey (Virginia Tech) and Prophet Brown are duking it out for the nickel spot. Decarlos Nicholson is likely to get a lot of playing time.
Eric Gentry comes in from Arizona St. and will lead the linebackers. Desman Stephens steps into the middle linebacker slot.
In Phil Steele’s prognosis for 2025, he mentioned how the Trojans were 5 plays away form 11-1.
Staggering to hear. Those close games were lost by lack of execution when the team was counting it on the most. The Trojans need to maximize their opportunities in the red zone and continue to progress on defense. I totally expect a return to form this year and even though they may not go 11-1 or undefeated, I feel like a CFP berth is definitely on the table. It all may come down to a cold November night in Eugene against ol’ foe Oregon. USC fans wouldn’t want it any other way.
Like the great philosopher Harry Dunne once said, “and totally redeemed your self!”
CHRIS’ PREDICTION: 9-3 depending on the Oregon game, which could mean 10-2, with a loss to Notre Dame, almost assuring a spot in the Big Ten Championship game and a spot in the CFP.
