USC football is loading up for a pivotal 2025 season as Lincoln Riley navigates a roster overhaul and fresh recruiting momentum. With Missouri State visiting the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 30, five position battles in the Los Angeles area stand out as the Trojans aim to solidify depth and upgrade production across the lineup.
Right tackle battle to protect Jayden Maiava
– The quarterback spot appears settled with Maiava projected as QB1, but the right side of the line remains hotly contested. Tobias Raymond and Justin Tauanuu are in the mix, with an eligibility situation around DJ Wingfield adding another wrinkle.
– Riley noted that both players are in the top group, but Tobias has continued his strong spring showing, while Justin has taken a noticeable step forward in camp and is “really playing at a high level” now.
RB1 competition brewing
– The backfield has seen turnover, with Woody Marks departing. Bryan Jackson is in the mix as an early enrollee, while Eli Sanders joined from New Mexico via the transfer portal.
– Another transfer, Waymond Jordan, arrived after a standout junior college career at Hutchinson Community College and is drawing attention for his development.
– Riley has praised Jordan’s progression, signaling that USC could feature a more dynamic and versatile backfield depending on how these newcomers adapt alongside returning talent and the offense’s concepts.
Safety room still unsettled outside Kamari Ramsey
– Ramsey is the senior, experienced starter in a room that is far from settled. Newcomer Bishop Fitzgerald, who left NC State for USC, brings ball-hawking instincts with eight passes broken up and three interceptions in college.
– Christian Pierce brings knowledge of coverages but has spent most of his time on special teams, potentially losing ground to Fitzgerald.
– Kennedy Urlacher, son of NFL legend Brian Urlacher, joined from Notre Dame and will also push for time as the safety landscape takes shape.
Cornerback depth ramping up quickly
– The corner position needs an immediate impact from transfers. D.J. Harvey, a San Jose State star who also spent time at Virginia Tech, is expected to contribute early in a revamped secondary.
– New cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed may lean on Harvey to settle in quickly, with Isaiah Rubin and Marcelles Williams vying for meaningful reps behind him.
– Trestin Castro and Alex Graham remain in the mix as 2025 signees, while Prophet Brown has experience at nickel and could be a key rotational piece as USC reshapes its secondary.
Linebacker playmakers needed next to Eric Gentry
– New linebackers coach Rob Ryan is high on Gentry’s athletic ceiling, even suggesting Gentry could cover high-caliber players, underscoring the need for the roles surrounding him.
– The second linebacker spot remains fluid. Desman Stephens II has earned praise and is viewed as underrated heading into 2025, but competition persists.
– Roman Marchetti and Garrison Madden are junior contenders, with Anthony Beavers Jr. providing versatility from the former nickelback role into linebacker duties.
– Four-star freshman Matai Tagoa’i has arrived with the potential to contribute immediately, increasing the group’s overall depth and explosiveness.
Summary and outlook
– These five battles—right tackle, running back, safety, cornerback, and linebacker—will shape USC’s performance as it builds toward a competitive 2025 season. The mix of returning contributors, transfers, and incoming freshmen has created a crowded, competitive environment where depth and seamless switching could define the Trojans’ success.
– Expect clearer answers in late summer practice and into the early season as coaches evaluate who best fits Riley’s schemes across a high-tempo offense and a flexible defensive package.
What to watch
– Which right tackle earns the starting job and how quickly the rotation settles behind Maiava.
– How the backfield tempo and identity emerge with the blend of Jackson, Sanders, and Jordan, plus any impact from Wingfield’s eligibility situation.
– How soon Fitzgerald and Urlacher adapt to the safety rotation and whether Pierce or others reclaim snaps on special teams or depth roles.
– The speed and matchup abilities of Rubin, Williams, and Harvey at corner, and how Reed’s tutoring translates to on-field trust.
– The progression of Stephens II, Marchetti, Madden, Beavers Jr., and Tagoa’i in stabilizing the second level alongside Gentry.
Positive take
– The Trojans possess a deep, dynamic pool of talent across key positions, with multiple contributors capable of stepping into bigger roles. This competition can drive higher performance and a stronger team culture as USC heads into a demanding 2025 schedule while building toward long-term success.