Spring Spotlight: USC Trojans
Inside The Pylon: A Midwest College Football Podcast · Ryan Satkowiak
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Show Notes
Ryan and Clinton continue to roll through Big Ten spring spotlights, talking USC.
For whatever faults he may have as a head coach, developing QBs and prolific offenses is not one of them for Lincoln Riley. He returns a strong, experience signal caller in 2026 with Jayden Maiava returning after throwing for 3700 yards and 24 TDs a season ago. However, four of USC's top five pass-catchers in terms of yards from last season have either transferred or gone pro. Now-sophomore Tanook Hines is a key returning piece to the WR room. NC State transfer Terrell Anderson also figures to be a key piece. But the rest of the room is bereft of experience, albeit talented. Will a freshman pass catcher step up to help carry the load?
What the WR room make lack in experience, the OL and RB rooms more than make up for. USC returns five OL with significant starting experience, and their top two rushers from 2025. Riley's offense ran the ball more often and more effectively in 2025 than the previous two seasons -- with a lack of experience out wide, will USC lead more heavily on this talented and experienced run game in 2026?
On defense, former long-time TCU head coach Gary Patterson joins the staff as their defensive coordinator == replacing the departed-for-Penn-State D'Anton Lynn. The defense progressively improved in Lynn's two seasons, but was still middle-of-the-pack at best in 2025. However, the Trojans have stepped up their recruiting and portal game and despite some questions at LB and in the secondary, should have plenty of talented depth in 2026 across the board. Can they turn that talent into production? Can Gary Patterson snap Lincoln Riley out of his defensive trance? Or will it be same song, different chorus for the Trojans's defense in 2026?
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