Keep Your Eye On These Trojans

August 20, 2026 Leave a comment

Five USC Football Players Who Can Raise the Trojans’ Ceiling

These are the five players who are most capable of lifting the USC Trojans out of their preseason No. 14 ranking.

Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches from the sidelines against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Lorenzo Reyna (si.com)  —  The USC Trojans bring forth plenty of star power that can catapult them higher. Coach Lincoln Riley isn’t shying away from feeling confident about his 2026 roster. Already, he’s spoken glowingly about returning quarterback Jayden Maiava. He also has experience back at every other offensive position, including wide receiver, despite the losses of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane.

Here are the five who can elevate USC  —

OL Tobias Raymond

USC Trojans Breck Kolojay Zach Hanson Keenyi Pepe Injury Elijah Paige Recruiting IMG Academy Tobias Raymond Spring PracticeIt starts in the trenches as the old football saying goes. Yet Tobias Raymond’s role becomes more crucial than ever. He’s arguably the most experienced lineman in terms of versatility. The Ventura High star began his career at tackle before eventually sliding inside to guard. Now he’s expected to step in for injured center Kilian O’Connor and man the middle.

Chemistry with Maiava and the other four linemen become more instrumental than ever for Raymond. But the swingman lineman told Lorenzo Reyna of USC Trojans on SI on Aug. 3 that he loves the challenge of playing a new spot.

“It’s honestly fun to switch positions like that,” Raymond said.

WR Terrell Anderson

North Carolina State Wolfpack Duke Blue Devils Terrell Anderson Landan Callahan USC Trojans College Football RecruitingTanook Hines is receiving more targets, that much is given. But USC still needs someone to bail Hines out, especially stretching the field. That’s where the North Carolina State transfer Terrell Anderson comes into the picture.

Anderson brings an average of 16.1 yards per game over from Raleigh. He adds special teams value, too, as a return man, and brings his own versatility.

Here’s what USC fans should love about Anderson: He’s faced his share of future NFL defensive backs already in Nohl Williams (Cal, Kansas City Chiefs), Avieon Terrell (Clemson, Atlanta Falcons) and ex-teammate Brandon Cisse before his transfer to South Carolina and then landing with the Green Bay Packers. Facing the Big Ten gauntlet of corners shouldn’t be that hard for Anderson.

USC Trojans Recruiting Class Mark Bowman Chad Savage Spring Practice Kayden Dixon-Wyatt Trent Mosley Early EnrolleeSomeone from the deep and loaded 2026 recruiting class will impact the game for all 12 contests. Wide receivers Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Ethan “Boobie” Feaster are making an early case. The freshmen running back duo of Deshonne Redeaux and Shahn Alston look ready to combine their speed and power early.

But it’s the five-star tight end signing Mark Bowman bringing the highest chance of earning lots of snap counts. Simply because that spot needs new life after losing top tight ends Walker Lyons to BYU, then Lake McCree to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The aforementioned incoming freshmen still walk into rooms that bring back lots of experience.

Bowman received comparisons to Arizona Cardinals tight end star Trey McBride before his USC signing. He’s versatile enough to line up at wide receiver and creates mismatches off more than his 6-4 frame, but through his advanced footwork and releases. USC fans should also love his run-after-catch ability. Bowman looks ready to lead the freshmen class in receptions.

DL Alex VanSumeren

USC Trojans Lincoln Riley Recruiting Transfer Portal Skyler Jones Alex VanSumeren Jahkeem Stewart Jide Abasiri Spring Riley raves about the depth of the defensive tackle room, saying these guys can win a lot of one-on-one battles and “have some of the mass to be able to anchor down against some of these bigger personnel groupings,” as he said on Aug. 18.

But none becomes more crucial than Michigan State transfer Alex VanSumeren. USC struggled to stuff the run last season, hence why the 6-2, 300-pounder seems to be here.

VanSumeren’s appearance at Big Ten Media Days in late July signal how high Riley is on the transfer. His run-stuffing background and Big Ten experience comes in handy for conference play.

S Kennedy Urlacher

Oregon Ducks Kenyon Sadiq USC Trojans Kennedy Urlacher Christian Pierce Lincoln Riley Gary PattersonThe son of the NFL legendary linebacker for the Chicago Bears Brian flashed his potential last season. But now Riley, plus new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, will need to see growth out of the Notre Dame transfer.

Bishop Fitzgerald’s departure is a big reason why. Kennedy Urlacher now earns the chance to take the reins as the leading safety, even with Christian Pierce bringing an older veteran presence into the room.

Yet teams likely will shy from testing Pierce, which swings the door open for Urlacher to become the ball-hawk and coverage specialist. The rise of Urlacher can prove that USC reloads, but rebuilds, at safety.

si.com

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