When Lincoln Riley first landed in Los Angeles, his audacious plan to remake a missing USC roster on the fly revolved virtually fully across the switch portal. The Trojans introduced in two dozen transfers forward of his debut season, together with their prime two operating backs, three of their prime 4 receivers, six starters on protection and, in fact, a Heisman-winning quarterback.
The plan labored fairly properly for Riley and Co. on the time. USC received 11 video games in 2022 and fell simply wanting the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
However it didn’t go as deliberate over the following two seasons. Riley and his employees relied virtually as closely on fast fixes within the portal — however with out the identical outcomes.
Now three years later, with No. 7 Oregon awaiting Saturday, No. 15 USC is again getting ready to the Faculty Soccer Playoff for the primary time since Riley’s debut. And it’s gotten so far by following a very totally different plan than the one which labored the primary time.
When the Trojans take the sector in Eugene, barring some late lineup change, they received’t have a single switch from 2025 beginning on offense. It isn’t a lot totally different on the opposite aspect of the ball: Security Bishop Fitzgerald is the one switch among the many prime 12 in snaps performed on USC’s protection — and his standing for the sport is in critical doubt due to damage.
It’s uncommon lately for a Energy 4 roster to be that home-grown. Oregon, as an example, has seven transfers from its 2025 class in its regular beginning lineup. Two of whom had been Trojans final season.
There are different explanations for the muted influence of transfers at USC — the only being that the Trojans’ 2025 switch class hasn’t lived as much as expectations. Fitzgerald, with 5 interceptions, has been an important addition to USC’s defensive backfield, and operating backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders had been each standouts earlier than accidents derailed their seasons.
Past these three, simply two different transfers have performed even 100 whole snaps this season: J’Onre Reed, who was inserted at middle due to damage, and nostril deal with Keeshawn Silver.
However the place a disappointing switch class may’ve sunk the Trojans in previous seasons, that hasn’t been the case in 2025.
USC coach Lincoln Riley celebrates with cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson throughout a win over Iowa on Nov. 15.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Instances)
So far as Riley is anxious, that’s a optimistic signal for the long-term well being of this system. Contemplating the place USC stands nearing the top of his fourth season, he prefers the portal solely be used sparingly from hereon.
“It’s been an advantage,” Riley stated. “The transfers we did take have largely fit into what we wanted from a culture standpoint. Obviously when you’re taking less guys that you developed in-house, you feel like you mitigate your risk a little bit. … We feel like, for USC right now, that’s right where we need to be.”
That wasn’t the place issues stood even a yr in the past, particularly for the protection. Through the 2024 season, eight of the highest 15 gamers in snaps on USC’s protection had been first-year transfers. The yr earlier than that, it was six of the highest 15.
This season, USC has eight new starters on protection. Fitzgerald is the one switch. The others had been recruited out of highschool and labored their manner up the depth chart.
“I think the more program kids you can have through high school the better,” defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn stated. “They’re doing things your way. That’s the only thing they know.”
It additionally means trusting the gamers you do develop, when the time comes. That’s the purpose the place USC’s protection has discovered itself this season. There have been rising pains alongside the best way.
“The past two defenses, we had a lot of transfer portal guys who were fifth- and sixth-year seniors,” Lynn stated. “This team is more talented, but they’re just young. It’s just guys who haven’t played before. There are certain mistakes you have to live through.”
USC received’t be capable of face up to many slip-ups in opposition to Oregon and its high-powered offense. However the personnel plan that bought the Trojans so far, two wins away from a playoff, is one much more suited to face the check of time.
The Geese, in some ways, are a testomony to that strategy, having made the same pivot in latest seasons. After they dipped into the portal this previous offseason, it was with particular top-tier targets in thoughts. Two of these simply occurred to be two of USC’s prime gamers within the trenches from 2024: offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon and defensive deal with Bear Alexander.
Each have discovered a brand new stride at Oregon. Pregnon is trending towards an All-Huge Ten season as a key piece of the Geese’ dominant dashing assault, whereas Alexander, in keeping with Oregon coach Dan Lanning, has “found the best version of himself” at Oregon.
These holes on each traces may’ve been patched up via the portal earlier than. However Tobias Raymond stepped in at left guard and has been one in every of USC’s greatest linemen, whereas the Trojans have been notably extra constant on the inside with out Alexander.
That’s a significant mile marker. Even when there are nonetheless some bumps to return within the constructing course of.
“I don’t think we’re completely into that next world yet,” Riley stated. “We’re further along certainly than we were last year at this time. But I think that’s just going to continue to grow. It’s another reason why we’re so optimistic and bullish on our future here.”
