The pressure is mounting on Lincoln Riley heading into the 2025 season. He has yet to reach the College Football Playoff since taking over as USC head coach in 2022, leading the Trojans to a 15-11 overall record in the last two seasons.
Riley went to work this offseason, strengthening not only USC’s lineup but also improving the Trojans’ coaching staff. Let’s look at the Trojans’ revamped staff and roster as they gear up to enter their second year in the Big Ten Conference.
USC Season Preview: Lincoln Riley Starts Fresh With New Staff
Lincoln Riley and USC decided to make changes after the Trojans disappointed with a 7-6 record last season. He welcomed NFL legend Rob Ryan to his staff as their new assistant head coach for defense and linebackers. Ryan, who worked as a defensive coordinator in the NFL for 15 years, won two Super Bowl titles in his illustrious coaching career.
USC also added Chad Savage as the new tight ends/inside receivers coach. He previously worked at Colorado State as the Rams’ wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. The Trojans also appointed Trovon Reed as their new cornerbacks coach. He previously held that position at UCF.
Trumain Carroll also joined USC’s staff as the team’s new Director of Football Sports Performance. He was the former director of strength and conditioning at Kansas State, helping the Wildcats amass a 36-17 record during his time. USC also got one of the best general managers in the nation in Chad Bowden, who held that position at Notre Dame earlier.
USC’s 2025 Roster
Who Will Be USC’s QB1 in the 2025 Season?
Lincoln Riley has an excellent track record when it comes to quarterbacks, having developed three of the last eight Heisman Trophy winners. The Trojans would hope he can produce another Heisman winner among his pool of quarterbacks this coming season.
Jayden Maiava returns for another season after he started the Trojans’ last four games in 2024. He completed 101-of-169 passes for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions last season. He also displayed his ground game, running for 45 yards and four scores on 20 carries.
USC QB Heisman Candidate Jayden Maiava 👀✌🏻#FightOn✌🏻 pic.twitter.com/SQ7YHN0OkQ
— Arrogant Nation✌🏻 (@FightOnRusty) July 8, 2025
He has competition for the QB1 position following the arrival of five-star prospect Husan Longstreet. He missed some time in 2024 because of an injury, but still put up impressive numbers in his senior year at Centennial. He threw for 1,641 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. He also punished opponents with his legs, running for 494 yards and six scores.
Who Are USC’s Main Weapons on Offense?
USC’s quarterbacks will feel confident about their downfield targets in 2025. Makai Lemon returns after impressing last season for the Trojans, leading the team in receptions (52) and receiving yards (764). Fellow wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane also returns for his junior year after recording a team-high 12 touchdowns in 2024.
Running back Bryan Jackson returns for his sophomore year after he dazzled in the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl. He ran for 66 yards and a score in USC’s win over Texas A&M. The Trojans also bolstered their backfield through the transfer portal, signing Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders. Jordan rushed for 1,614 yards and 20 touchdowns for Hutchinson CC last season, while Sanders recorded 1,766 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2024.
USC’s 2025 Schedule
The USC Trojans will open their 2025 campaign with a two-game home stand, hosting Missouri State and Georgia Southern. They will then start their Big Ten schedule with an away game against Purdue before returning home to face Michigan State. The Trojans will next go to Illinois to face the Fighting Illini before hosting powerhouse Michigan.
USC will then travel to Notre Dame to face the Fighting Irish on Oct. 18 before concluding its Big Ten campaign with games against Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, Oregon, and UCLA.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Big Ten Coaches With The Most To Prove In 2025-26 Season Ft. Lincoln Riley
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