USC Football Offseason Report: Trojans Bolster Offensive Line, Face Questions at Linebacker.

As USC prepares for the 2026 college football season, the Trojans appear to have strengthened one of their most important position groups while still carrying concerns at another. With head coach Lincoln Riley entering another season in the Big Ten, USC has a roster built around high expectations. The Trojans return several key contributors, added impact players through the transfer portal, and welcomed a highly regarded 2026 recruiting class that could provide immediate help. The success of the season could come down to how well USC’s strongest units continue to develop and whether its areas of concern can hold up against a challenging schedule.

Offensive Line Emerges as a Major Strength

The offensive line enters the season as one of USC’s biggest positives after an offseason focused on maintaining stability and adding young talent. Quarterback Jayden Maiava returns after a standout season in which he led the Big Ten in passing, and protecting him will be a major priority as USC pushes for a College Football Playoff appearance.

The Trojans bring back several experienced starters, including left tackle Elijah Paige, guards Tobias Raymond and Alani Noa, right tackle Justin Tauanuu, and center Killian O’Connor. The continuity across the front should give USC an advantage heading into fall camp. USC also added one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2026 recruiting class with offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe. The 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman from IMG Academy is considered one of the premier players in the country and could compete for early playing time. The Trojans’ offensive line was already one of the better units in college football at limiting pressure last season, and the combination of returning experience and incoming talent gives the group a chance to become one of the team’s biggest strengths.

Linebacker Room Remains USC’s Biggest Concern

While the offensive line improved, the linebacker position enters the season with more uncertainty. USC lost four linebackers through the transfer portal this offseason, including Matai Tagoa’i, AJ Tuitele, Anthony Beavers Jr., and Popo Aguirre. Those departures created a need for younger players to take on larger roles. The Trojans added Washington transfer Deven Bryant to help strengthen the group, but the position remains one of the least experienced areas on the roster. Desman Stephens II and Jadyn Waker are expected to lead the linebacker unit this season. Both players showed promise last year, combining for 122 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. USC will also rely on contributors such as Ta’Mere Robinson and Elijah Newby to provide depth and help stabilize the position. The development of the linebacker room could play a major role in determining whether the Trojans are able to make a deeper postseason run. With an explosive offense already in place, improved defensive consistency will be necessary for USC to compete among the nation’s top teams. As fall camp begins, the Trojans enter 2026 with clear strengths and a few important questions still to answer.